How to Turn a Kayak

You're sailing along in your kayak, and you notice a brisk wind pushing you a farther out than you'd like. Turning a kayak is a skill that will come in handy in this situation and get you headed back in the right direction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Turning Basics

1. Think opposites. If you're moving along slowly in your kayak, and you want to turn left, stroke your paddle on the right. Begin to turn slowly around.

2. Turn more quickly by using a backward stroke on one side of the kayak and a forward stroke on the other. You will turn more sharply when you master this technique.

3. Dip and hold your paddle in the water on the side of the direction in which you wish to turn to turn your kayak while you're moving along at more of a clip.

Learn to Turn With Ruddered or Racing Boats

4. Take advantage of a rudder and let your feet do the work to steer the boat. Allow it to help you make those turns without slowing you down.

5. Lean right in a racing boat to turn left and lean left to turn right, stroking smoothly with your wing paddle.

6. Be sure that you know how to turn your kayak without the use of a rudder, just in case your rudder ever fails.

Turn Using the Forward Sweep Stroke

7. Place your paddle in the water at the front of the kayak, near your feet. You should be paddling on the opposite side of the kayak than the direction that you want to turn.

8. Sweep the paddle out in a wide half-circle.

9. End the sweeping motion at the back of the kayak, making sure to bring the paddle out of the water and around again before it strikes the boat.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Read the eHow article special ways to turn a sea kayak.on
• The Donegal Canoe Club teaches how to turn a kayak.
• An Expert Village video instructs on how to turn a kayak.