Veering, Carving, and paddling the “inside circle”

It is important to get used to paddling your boat on its edges. This is also known as the J Lean. Paddling your boat on its edge is crucial for catching dynamic eddies and often peelouts as well. Ferries also require some edging of your boat. As you become a more advanced boater, you will want to surf holes and waves, both of which require comfort in paddling your boat on edge. In this exercise, we will place a bouy and have you paddle around the bouy on edge in a tight circle with as few strokes as possible. This is a very challenging exercise.

Sideslips: boat moves sideways with headway

The sideslip exercise asks you to move the boat sideways, not turn, while the boat keeps moving forward. This boat reinforces the hanging draw stroke and has you transition the draw from the front to the back of the boat. If you held the draw stroke stationary in one position, the boat would turn. By moving the paddle towards the rear and adjusting paddle blade angle, you can keep the boat facing forward.

Reverse: boat moves in a reasonably straight line

Now we will practice is paddling the boat backwards in a straight line.Instructors will be separated roughly 50 yards apart and safety boaters will be interspersed along the way. Groups of paddlers will paddle in a straight line in each direction. A key element of the reverse stroke is starting with the paddle blade flat in the rear for stability. Draw the blade straight forward to propel the boat backwards. Like the forward stroke, recover once you reach the middle of the cockpit. Use a landmark on shore to help you maintain a straight line, just like rowing a boat. We will paddle backwards in both directions. For a refresher on this stroke, review the following article: Back Stroke (stopping).

Turns: boat turns in broad arc made while underway

This exercise reinforces the bow draw. Bow draws are quite useful in peel outs from eddies. We will be asking you to paddle in a straight line and build up some speed. When we give you the signal, we will ask you to plant a static bow draw with an open faced paddle blade. This will cause your boat to arc in a wide turn.

Flatwater Practice

Flatwater is a great place to refine basic paddling skills.  Also, these skills can be practiced year round as many areas have indoor heated pool sessions in the Winter months.  Pay very close attention to your form when practicing.  During a typical pool session, I concentrate on:

  • Forward strokes
  • Sweeps
  • Draw Strokes
  • Back Paddling
  • Side Slips
  • J Leans
  • And the always fun Flipper Drill for stetching out the core muscles

There are many games you can play buit the favorite seems to be kayak football.  I also like a good game of tag with begionner kayakers. 

  1. J-lean / Heeling the boat
  2. Stopping: boat stops within a reasonable distance
  3. Forward: boat moves in reasonably straight line
  4. Abeam: boat moves sideways without headway