How To Draw Stroke In A Kayak

Making your kayak move backwards and forwards is fairly simple to do, but you may be wondering how to do a draw stroke. The draw stroke allows you to move your kayak from side to side by using your paddle to help drag your kayak in the direction you want to go in. This is a great stroke to know for when you want to be paddling side by side with someone.

• Kayak
• Paddle
• PFD (personal flotation device)

1. Rotate your torso. It should be facing the side that you want to draw the stroke on, as this is the same as the direction you want to go in.

2. Plant your paddle. It should be placed so that it is vertical to the water on the side you will be doing the stroke on. Your top hand should be reaching across your body while the bottom paddle blade should be fully submersed in the water.

3. Pull your lower hand towards your hip. Your top hand should remain stationary while you bring your bottom hand back towards you.

4. Bring your paddle back to its upright starting position. While still gripping the paddle, curl your wrists forward 90 degrees. This allows you to be able to slice the blade through the water, back to your vertical starting position as described in step two.

5. Repeat steps as necessary until you have finished maneuvering your kayak. If, instead of moving to the side, your kayak begins to turn, this is either because you are either pulling your paddle too far forward or too far behind you. Make sure that when you drag your paddle to your hip, and that you are moving it laterally.

   When drawing your paddling towards you, be careful to stop before the paddle hits the kayak or you could cause your kayak to capsize.

Resources:  

Kayak draw stroke