Alternative Strokes

In sea kayaks, the majority of our time is spent paddling forwards, but situations arise though when it is necessary to be able to change direction and it is then useful to have a repertoire of strokes to be able to provide the necessary control. For a number of people this control comes from the dextrous use of the rudder and many manufacturers have invested time and money in producing rudders which are able to withstand the pressures of paddling on the sea.

To a certain extent it could be argued that rudders de-skill people. We should be coaching first of all, the control of the kayak using body posture and more importantly effective use of the paddle. Too frequently some paddlers become dependent upon their rudder as opposed to seeing it as another item in the paddlers tool box. By all means have a rudder fitted, but also develop the skills to be able control the kayak if rudder failure should occur.

Everybody is aware of basic turning strokes such as the sweep stroke, but there are a number of combination strokes which when performed, not only produce the desired turning effect, but they can also develop confidence in the kayak and enable the kayaker to test their limits.

One of my favourite strokes is the cross bow rudder. This stroke was relatively popular amongst the white water paddling fraternity in the 1960's and early 1970's but it has since been largely forgotten by sea kayakers. It is an effective means of turning a sea kayak which has momentum. If the stroke is to be performed on the left hand side of the kayak, producing a turn to the left, the right hand blade is crossed over the deck of the kayak and placed in the water with the drive face towards the kayak. At first, many paddlers find this a relatively unstable position, and are reluctant to commit themselves to the stroke. To increase stability keep the blade close to the gunwale of the kayak and during initial training, perform the stroke at low speeds.

With practise and confidence, stability should increase, enabling the blade to be placed further out from the kayak, therefore increasing the effectiveness of the turn and it should then be possible to perform it at higher speeds. Care needs to be taken when performing the stroke to avoid too much strain being placed on the shoulders and arms. Perform the stroke defensively not aggressively and prevent injury.

A hybrid stroke

Once the cross bow rudder has been added to your tool box of skills, it can be amalgamated with another stroke to produce a hybrid. Perform the cross bow rudder on the left hand side of the kayak. Once the turning speed starts to slow, drop the rear blade into the water and perform a reverse sweep stroke whilst at the same time, edging your kayak to the left. The joining together of the cross bow rudder and the sweep stroke produces the creep. Not a particularly well documented stroke, which when introduced to some groups is the source of considerable mirth, but once the initial scepticism is overcome, many people find it an effective and useful stroke to have in their repertoire. It is really a variation of the Colorado Hook, a stroke which has lost favour among sea kayakers.

Flexibility

Many people find this stroke difficult because they do not have enough flexibility whilst sitting in their kayaks. What paddlers need to develop is a set of exercises which can be used to increase flexibility and will then allow them to perform a whole range of strokes with greater ease and confidence.

Exercises

The easiest is the over side draw. Whilst sitting up straight in the kayak, rotate the upper body so that the shoulders are nearly parallel to the keel of the kayak. The paddle is also held parallel to the gunwale and the aim is to produce sideways movement by paddling and keeping the blades on the one side of the kayak. Encouraging your students to lean into the stroke, so that they travel faster, is an added refinement which can be used depending upon factors such as the temperature of the water and how willing your group are to get wet!

It is possible to perform this stroke in reverse when it is known as the over side push. In this case the blades are place close to the gunwale of the kayak and then pushed away. It is important to rotate the upper body in the kayak so that the shoulders are as parallel to the centre of the kayak as possible.

For the more experienced performer one of the most effect tests of co-ordination and confidence is the cross bow hanging draw. Whilst on the move, cross the right hand blade across the kayak and perform a draw stroke. The body and paddle position are illustrated in the photograph.

There are a large number of activities which can be used effectively by a coach to increase the confidence of their students and develop flexibility. For the non-coaching reader, these activities can be used to enhance their own performance. Produce a mental list of your favourites and practise a few during each paddling session. Improvements will be quickly noticed. For an added touch, many of these can be performed with your eyes shut, leading to even greater paddle and kayak awareness.

The following list is by no means exhaustive. I regularly practise them and the list is continually developing.

1. Paddle forwards with the release strap from the spray deck in your teeth.

2. Paddle forwards with your head on the rear deck of the kayak. To achieve this position it is necessary for force your buttocks off the seat of the kayak. Directional control is maintained by looking over the stern of the kayak.

3. Paddle forwards by changing the side on which the blade is used. For example, take the right blade, cross it over in front of the body and perform the stroke on the left. Then repeat the stroke by using the left blade on the right side of the kayak.

4. Paddle in reverse by changing sides, using the technique described in previous exercise. Take the right hand blade and cross it in front of the body, place it in the water close to the stern of the kayak on the left hand side and perform a reverse stroke.

5. Hold the paddle by the tip of the blade and try to sweep it around the kayak keeping the blade immersed in the water at all times. You will have to lean forwards to sweep past the bow and lean back with the paddle behind your head to sweep round the stern. Not a very stable position!