Final answer:
When canoeing upstream, stay near the shore to take advantage of slower current. When canoeing downstream, stay near the middle to take advantage of faster current.
Step-by-step explanation:
When paddling a canoe upstream, it is wisest to stay near the shore, while when canoeing downstream, it is generally better to stay near the middle.
The reason for this is that when paddling upstream, the current is stronger in the middle of the river and weaker near the shore. By staying near the shore, you can take advantage of the slower current and conserve energy.
On the other hand, when canoeing downstream, the current is faster near the middle of the river and slower near the shore. By staying near the middle, you can take advantage of the faster current and move more quickly downstream.