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The forward
sweep
The forward sweep
is much the same stroke as the forward stroke
except the blade as drawn back is a wide arc
well out to the side of the kayak. The kayak
turns to the off-stroke side.
To begin this
stroke, rotate the torso, lean forward and place
the blade near the side of the kayak up by your
feet. Angle the power face of the blade out from
the side of the kayak and push the blade away
from the side of the kayak. Bring the paddle
blade back in a wide arcing motion and continue
to rotate your torso. Continue to bring the
paddle back until it almost contacts the rear of
the kayak. Retrieve the paddle by lifting up
just as it gets to the kayak's hull. Turn your
head to watch the blade as it arcs back to the
kayak. (Always watch your work!) The most effect
turning portions of this stroke are beginning
and, even more so, the end. The middle portion
of the stroke keeps up the forward motion but
has little effect on the turn. Do not lean your
body or your head to the stroke side, as this
will destabilize your kayak. Your body and head
should turn, not lean. When sweeping while going
forward through the water, tilting (not leaning)
the kayak will assist the turning motion.
The
reverse or back sweep
The reverse or back
sweep is the reverse of the forward sweep. Start
the stroke by rotating your body and head to the
stern, place the blade with the power face
toward the hull of the kayak and sweep the blade
out and forward in a long arc culminating at the
hull of the kayak near your feet. The kayak will
turn toward the stroke side. The stern motion is
the most effective portion of the back sweep.
By alternating a
forward sweep on one side and a back sweep on
the other, you can spin you kayak in place. Long
kayaks with little rocker will be harder to turn
than short kayaks with a lot of rocker. Tilting
the kayak will enhance the rocker effect. The
latter can be turned a full 360 degrees in about
15 seconds. How long does it take you to spin
yours all the way around? Practice and see if
you can shorten the time. This is also a good
way for judging a kayak's maneuverability when
selecting a kayak.
The
stern draw
The stern draw is
the same motion as the last portion of the
forward sweep. Start by rotating your torso
toward the back of the kayak. Place the blade
well away from the side of the kayak with the
power face toward the hull. Draw the paddle in
toward the hull of the kayak. Use this stroke as
a correction stroke when adjusting your paddling
direction as it does not dampen your forward
speed. It will stop a broach in its initial
stages but it is not as powerful as a stern
rudder in this type of situation.
The
stern rudder
The stern rudder is
the same motion as the first part of a back
sweep. Rotate your torso to the stroke side, put
the blade in the water close to the boat at the
stern and push or pry the back of the blade out
and away. This is an easy way to get a kayak to
turn, but it has a braking effect, slowing you
down so use it quickly and sparingly. The stern
rudder is very effective in stopping a broach.
Be careful not to get the blade so deep that you
can't snatch it from the water before your
sliding stern runs over it and trips.
The bow
rudder
The bow rudder
uses your paddle blade as a steering plane near
your feet to turn the kayak toward the stroke
side. Reach forward (not much rotation this
time) and place your paddle blade up by your
feet. At the same time, move your off-stroke
upper hand across the center line of your boat
and touch your opposite shoulder with it. Place
your lower elbow into your side and angle your
forearm angles out about 45 degrees. Bend your
wrists back and lower the paddle blade so it
enters the water slicing forward with the power
face facing the kayak hull. It is important to
begin with the edge of the blade parallel to
your kayak, Bend the wrists back further and the
blade face opens and begins to move away from
the kayak. Hold it firmly to the side of the
kayak and the kayak will follow the blade in a
turn to that side. It should be possible in calm
wind conditions to turn the kayak 180 degrees
with a single stroke.
Next >
>> More Kayaking
tips
•
Types of kayak: Sit-on-top
kayak, Inflatable
kayak, Folding
kayak, Solo
Versus Tandem kayak
•
Kayaking in Vietnam
• How
to get in and out of your kayak
•
How to make your kayak go
•
How to make your kayak stop
•
How to make your kayak turn
•
How to keep your kayak from capsizing
•
What to do after a capsize - wet exiting
•
Basic paddle and arm signals for sea kayakers |
