Kayak Paddling Technique

                    Kayaking uses the same muscles as
                    canoeing, the arms are kept straight
                    and the power comes from the upper
                    legs and lower back.  The paddle is
                    anchored  in the water and the kayak
                    is pulled to the paddle.Liam demon-
                   strates the low angle stroke used by
                   most recreational paddlers at the left,
                   the paddle shaft is held closer to the
                   water and usually a longer paddle is
                   used. In the photo at the right he shows
                   the more aggressive high angle stroke.
                   The high angle stroke follows the keel
                   line of the kayak and it propels the
                  kayak in a straighter line. This stroke uses a slightly shorter paddle, requires more energy but moves the kayak much faster.
This page is meant to help you to properly propel a canoe or kayak in a straight line. There are many strokes  to turn a canoe or kayak, draws, rudders, pries;  the best way to learn those is by taking a class, getting out paddling with a club or find a quiet section of water and practice, practice, practice. After over 30 years of paddling, I can still learn new tricks. That's what is fun about paddlin'