eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Turn a Sea Kayak with a Sweep Stroke

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(4 Ratings)

Using the Sweep Stroke to turn your kayak can be useful when moving forwards or even sitting still. By utilizing the proper technique, you'll find the stroke to be simple as well as efficient.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Start by leaning forwards towards the bow of the kayak.

  2. Step 2

    Dip your paddle into the water at a slight angle outward and begin to sweep it back, keeping you pulling arm straight. To do this you have to pull and twist with your body.

  3. Step 3

    Push with the foot that is on the turning side of the boat. As you feel pressure on both the paddle and your foot, allow the kayak to tip over a bit towards the turn. This puts the kayak on edge, which in turn allows it to move much easier than if it where sitting completely flat in the water.

  4. Step 4

    Keep a wide sweeping path with the paddle, and as it becomes even with the cockpit, you can sit up.

  5. Step 5

    Finish the sweep at a point where the paddle is about 45 degrees away from the stern of the kayak. Don't pull the paddle out just yet.

  6. Step 6

    Turn the blade of the paddle so that the curved part is facing up and skim it back towards the bow in the same wide sweep that you started. As you do this, let only a minimum section of the paddle blade into the water. Because of the twisted nature of your body, and the tipped angle of your kayak, you can be a bit tipsy when you've finished the sweep stroke. By skimming the paddle blade back to its original position, you gain stability and ready yourself in case of a need for a slight brace.

Tips & Warnings
  • It is easy to "cheat" this technique by sweeping your paddle and forgetting about the lean. However, you will find that the more you can trust the brace of the paddle and turn the kayak on edge, the more efficient the stroke becomes.
  • Sea kayaking can be a very fun and relaxing sport. However, as with any sport dealing with open water, it has many inherent dangers. When learning how to sea kayak, it is a good idea to seek out professional instruction.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Get Free Sports & Fitness Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness