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Aims
The aim of this session was to talk about how to move the boat sideways and backwards. |
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Classic draw
The
classic draw is one method of moving the boat sideways. The
stroke is often used to manoeuvre the boat to the side of a pontoon or
pier for launching and landing or when you want to raft up with a buddy
on the sea. As
with all strokes there are a few key 'markers' to think about as you
execute the stroke. By thinking about each aspect, you can use 'self
check' to judge your performance. - Rotate your body to the
side of the boat you wish to paddle on. Maximising your rotation
means you are facing the direction you wish to travel in as well as
ensuring that you get the maximum power from the stroke.
- Plant
the blade at the centre point of the boat. You can find the
position by holding your paddle in the normal postion. Rotate
your body so that the shaft of the paddle is parallel with the
centreline of the boat. Drop the hand closest to the stern of the
boat into the water. Now ensure that your hands are above one another
and that the shaft is vertical.
- The shaft should be vertical in
the water - This allows the bottom hand to control the paddle while the
top hand maintains a loose grip on the shaft. A vertical blade
also creates more power as it moves through the water.
- The blade should be fully submerged in the water - more blade in the water gives more power to the stroke.
- The bottom hand, nearest the water, is used to control the blade, which ever side you are paddling on.
To do the stroke:- The blade is in the water parallel to the centreline of the boat. Pull the blade towards you.
- After
the power phase of the stroke, rotate the shaft and therefore the blade
by 90 degrees so that the blade is now perpendicular to the centreline
of the boat.
- Slice the blade back through the water back to the starting point.
- Rotate the blade again so that the blade is again parallel to the boat's centreline. Repeat the power phase.
Always remember......- Watch where you are going!
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Sculling draw
The
sculling draw is another way of moving the boat sideways. Because
both parts to the stroke provide power, it is perhaps more efficient
than the classic draw.
The set up and posture for the sculling
draw are the same as for the classic draw. However, the paddle is used
in a different way for the sculling draw.
Concentrate on the following points to 'self check' your stroke.
- Rotate body
- Shaft vertical
- Blade submerged
- Use bottom hand to contol the blade
- Watch where you are going!
The
blade is moved back and forth in the water parallel to the centreline
of the boat. The angle of the blade in the water provides the
forces to move the boat to the side.
- Place the blade in the
water. Start with it parallel with the centreline of the boat.
Turn the blade so that the edge nearest the back of the boat is moved
out. Angle the blade in the water at between 30 and 45 degrees to
the centreline of the boat.
- Move the paddle towards the stern, maintaining the blade angle, on a line parallel with the centreline of the boat
- Stop
and rotate the paddle so that it is again at an angle of between 30 and
45 degrees but this time the edge nearest the bow of the kayak is moved
out. Maintain this blade angle and move the paddle towards to bow
of the boat on a line parallel with the centreline.
- Continue in this fashion until you have moved sufficiently sideways.
- Remember this is a slow graceful stroke
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Reverse paddling
Think
about forward paddling and the key markers for the stroke e.g. blade
postion, shaft angle, point of entry, point of exit etc. Now
think about how this could be applied to reverse paddling. Most
of the same things apply, like maintaining a good posture and using
trunk rotation. The things you should check when you are reverse
paddling are:
- Ensure the shaft is as vertical as possible to
ensure the maximum power in the direction you want to travel. If
the blade moves too far to the side of the boat, you will exercise a
sweep stroke and thus turn the boat.
- The blade is planted in behind the hips
- Rotate the body to allow you to place the blade behind you.
- Move the paddle as parallel to the centreline as possible - again this maximises the power in the direction you wish to travel.
- Unwind your body through stroke ensuring the power comes from the large core muscles
- Bring blade out at or just in front of the hips
- Keep
looking where you are going!! You don't have to look over your
shoulder for every stroke but you should keep checking behind you to
ensure you are not going to crash and that you are heading in the
correct direction.
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Stopping when reversing
Stopping
when reversing is the opposite of stopping when moving forward.
When moving forward we stop by effectively using reverse strokes
of increasing force (dip dip, push push). The opposite applies to
stopping when travelling backwards. This time we use forward
stokes of increasing force (dip dip, pull pull). |
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| Home | Introduction to kayaking | Forward paddling | Sweep strokes and turning | Moving sideways and backwards |
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