The movements the gondolier makes with his single oar - using the Focola, are mesmerizing. The loam of the oar never surfaces. The forward push or stroke propels the gondola forward. With a twist of the wrist, he brings the loam back beneath the surface, with a motion that keeps the oar in the Focola as it also applies a counteraction to keep the gondola going straight ahead. They can stop quickly - back up - slide sideways, easily inside the narrow canals.