Forward Sweep Stroke

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Key Points
Posture (Upright)
Blade Immersed
Low Shaft Angle
Length of Stroke (Tip to Tip)
Path of Paddle (Arc)
Torso Rotation (Eyes on Paddle)
Push/Pull Action at the End
On Side Arm 6" to 8" behind body
Both Hands Over the Water
Feather Recovery

Extended Paddle Forward Sweep Stroke (Useful for learning and when paddling Sea Kayaks)
When we perform a normal sweep stroke some of our energy is lost as a result of our blade moving through the water. If our blade would stay fixed in the water when we place it there, then all of our energy would be transferred to moving our kayak. However, in regular paddling position our blade does move through the water so energy is lost with each stroke.

If we were to extend our working blade away from the working hand the loss of energy is less because the blade does not move through the water as much. The farther that blade moves away from the working hand the more fixed it becomes. By using extended paddle strokes we can take advantage of that longer lever with less energy loss.

The extended paddle forward sweep stroke is a great stroke to use for quick turns and turning in windy conditions. The more you can edge your kayak and lean your body the easier it is to pivot a kayak on it's edge. By using an extended paddle position you have a greater lever and potentially a better brace to allow you to edge and lean farther.

Even if you do not edge your kayak you will get greater turning because your extended paddle creates a larger arc when doing the stroke which yields a greater turn.

Let's look at Derek C. Hutchinson doing an extended paddle forward sweep stroke. Derek demonstrates this stroke with a slight climbing angle on the working blade so it stays near the surface, thus providing support, so he can edge and lean while still getting plenty of forward power.

The extended paddle position has your outside hand holding the non-working end of the blade near the bottom of the blade. The non-working blade is near your chest area. The working hand is about a forearm's length away from the throat of the non-working blade which results in the working blade being farther from your working hand. Remember, the key is to get the longer lever by moving the working blade away from the working hand. The stroke begins at the bow of the kayak. Place the blade flat on the water as if you were going to brace. As you begin to sweep the blade, keep a climbing angle on the blade and lift the knee opposite the working blade so your kayak goes on edge. You can also lean out on the paddle because of the tremendous support it is providing as it stays near the surface during the stroke.

How much you lean is dependent upon your experience and comfort level. As previously mentioned, the climbing action of the blade added to the longer lever provides a good deal of support which allows you to edge and lean which allows for quicker and great turns per stroke. When your paddle is at 90 degrees, you will have your greatest support. Look how much Derek is edging his kayak. Also, see how much he is leaning. If that paddle were taken away, he would be in the water. He truly has his balance point far out beyond the cockpit. It is easy to see his top rear deck is partially underwater.

As your paddle moves passed the 90 degree point and your support begins to diminish, start bringing your balance point back over your kayak. Notice Derek's body is no longer out over the water. As his paddle is nearing the end of the sweep Derek gets himself over his kayak so he is no longer depending on his paddle to keep him upright.

Once he is upright and the stroke is completed, Derek changes the angle of the blade so the other edge is the climbing angle for the recovery portion of the stroke. Derek moves the paddle along the surface, back towards the bow without putting any pressure down on the blade. He doesn't want to undo the work he has just completed. The advantage of lightly skimming the blade on the surface, back toward the bow, is the insurance you have by the blade being in the brace position during the entire recovery portion of the stroke. If it is rough conditions you are set up for an immediate brace on the working side. To make sure you don't capsize on the other side, I suggest you keep a slight lean toward the working side. You are still balanced over your kayak but you are favoring the working side.

When the blade is back at the bow repeat the stroke until you achieve the turn you desire.

As I mentioned earlier, this stroke can be done without any edging or leaning. It can also be done with your working blade on knife edge (blade perfectly vertical). Just having the larger arc, due to the extended paddle, will give you greater turning potential. If you wish to maximize that potential, I recommend you incorporate the climbing blade angle with edging and leaning.