| There are many different kayaking strokes but if you | | | | paddle in the water. Remember to keep your elbows |
| are just starting out there are basically three main | | | | bent in order to avoid injury and pull the blade out of |
| strokes that you want to be concerned with… the | | | | the water when it is even with your knees. Also |
| forward paddle, the reverse paddle and turning the | | | | remember to check over your shoulder to make sure |
| kayak. | | | | that nothing is in your way behind the kayak. |
| The Forward Paddle (front to back) | | | | Turning your Kayak |
| This paddle will definitely be your most commonly used | | | | Of course everyone who kayaks needs to know how |
| stroke. Start by sitting up straight and prop your feet | | | | to turn the kayak properly. If you are unable to turn |
| right up against the foot rests in your kayak. This will | | | | your kayak you may end up causing some |
| help you to have a more powerful stroke. Place the | | | | unnecessary and embarrassing crashes. The best |
| paddle in the water close to the kayak right around | | | | way to turn your kayak is to do a deep reverse |
| where your feet are and then make the stroke deep. | | | | stroke (back to front) on the side of the direction you |
| Pull back towards you with a relaxed grip and watch | | | | want to turn. Most people tend to do the opposite and |
| as you glide smoothly through the water. You will use | | | | use a forward paddle on the opposite side of the |
| this forward paddle stroke in all different types of | | | | direction they want to turn but this will not be nearly as |
| kayaking and it will get you to where you want to go. | | | | effective. |
| The Reverse Paddle (back to front) | | | | Learning these three strokes will get you just about |
| This stroke won’t be used as often but it is just as | | | | anyplace you need to go. If you are tandem kayaking |
| critical to know. For this paddle you will need to use the | | | | you can do these strokes together in order to achieve |
| back of the paddle blade. Place the paddle in the | | | | more power and faster speeds. Remember that the |
| water right around where your hips are. Then push the | | | | power behind your kayak will always come from your |
| paddle toward the front of your kayak while turning | | | | torso… not your arms or your shoulders. Focus on |
| your torso. To achieve a more powerful stroke you | | | | using your core muscles when you perform these |
| can reach further behind your hips when you place the | | | | strokes for optimum performance. |