Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • How to Pack Your Kayak
    • Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler
    • Best Kayak Fishing Crates
    • Benefits of Paddling for Exercise
    • Best Bed Racks for Chevrolet Silverado
    • Perfect the Canoe Forward Stroke
    • Know How to Float, Swim, and Self Rescue in Whitewater
    • How to Throw a Rope Bag In Whitewater to Rescue Paddlers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Kayak Manual
    Subscribe
    Tuesday, March 21
    • Home
      • About
    • Contact
      • Write for Us
    • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
    • Kayak Types
      • Inflatable Kayaks
      • Budget Kayak
      • Folding Kayaks
      • Kayak for Rapids
      • Kayaks for Kids
      • Sit-In Kayaks
      • Sit-On-Top Kayaks
      • Tandem Kayaks
      • Touring Kayaks
    • Blog
    Kayak Manual
    Home » How to do the Kayak Forward Sweep Stroke
    How to do the Kayak Forward Sweep Stroke
    kayak

    How to do the Kayak Forward Sweep Stroke

    Arthur G. MooreBy Arthur G. MooreFebruary 7, 2023Updated:February 7, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    There are times when paddling underway in a kayak when you will want to make a correction to your heading. There are other times when you are stationary in a kayak and you will want to turn the kayak to one side or another. The Forward Sweep Stroke is the perfect stroke to accomplish either of these maneuvers. Following are the steps on how to execute a forward sweep stroke on the right side of your kayak. This same technique can obviously be performed on the left by making the necessary adjustments to the instructions.

    Difficulty: Average

    Time Required: 5-10 minutes of practice each time

    Contents

    Here’s How:

    1. Hold the Paddle Properly: The forward sweep stroke can only be executed properly and ergonomically correct as long as you are holding your paddle properly. Your hands should be about shoulder width apart, the paddle should be facing the right direction and oriented properly.
    2. Maintain Proper Posture in the Kayak: You should maintain an aggressive, yet comfortable, position in the kayak. Sit upright or ever-so-slightly forward with your back against the backrest, your legs securely in the thigh braces, and the balls of your feet against the foot supports. Be sure to setup your kayak properly to support you in this position.
    3. Rotate Your Body: To take a forward sweep stroke on the right side, rotate your torso counter-clockwise so that the right paddle blade is forward. Be sure to maintain the paddler’s box. This is the step that is often performed incorrectly. The key to it is the torso rotation not arm motion.
    4. The Catch Phase of the Forward Sweep Stroke: Place the forward paddle blade in the water near the feet and toward the “tip” of the kayak. The blade should be inserted into the water with little disturbance. The face of the blade should be perpendicular to the direction of pull.
    5. The Power Phase of the Forward Sweep Stroke: With the blade in the water, rotate the torso so as to pull the blade through the water in an arc, first away from the bow of the kayak then back toward stern of the kayak. Keep the top hand level throughout the rotation at about eye level. Again, the stroke is powered by the rotation of the torso and not by pulling and pushing with the arms.
    6. Stroke Length: Continue the stroke all the way to the stern of the kayak. The length of the forward sweep stroke is simply “tip to tip.” The blade enters toward the front tip of the kayak and is removed near the rear tip.
    7. The Recovery Phase of the Forward Sweep Stroke: As soon as the stroke is over snap the blade out of the water. Your paddle should be setup for a forward stroke on the left side of the boat. Continue the rotation of your torso to obtain the maximum reach on the left side of the boat.

    Tips:

    1. The nature of this stroke makes it easy for the paddler to violate the paddler’s box by reaching out as the paddle arcs away from the kayak. Don’t do that. Be sure to keep the paddler’s box throughout the stroke and to use the torso to drive the stroke.
    2. It helps to be able to do a properly executed forward stroke to understand the torso rotation before trying it on the forward sweep stroke.
    3. There are a number of different design features to consider when buying a paddle. Make sure you buy and use the right length and thickness paddle.
    4. Don’t hold the paddle too tightly, even with your control grip. This will cause fatigue and possibly undue long-term stress.

    What You Need

    • Kayak
    • Paddle
    • PFD
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article6 Popular Kayaking Strokes
    Next Article Best 5 Kayak Racks for Kia Optima
    Arthur G. Moore
    • Website

    Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.

    Related Posts

    How to Pack Your Kayak

    March 18, 2023
    Read More

    Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler

    March 17, 2023
    Read More

    Best Kayak Fishing Crates

    March 15, 2023
    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

    KayakManual.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualified purchases.

    ABOUT KAYAK MANUAL

    It’s time to ditch the dry dock and get out onto the water! Kayak Manual provides an excellent resource for all aspiring kayakers and canoeists in pursuit of the best – and safest – paddling out there. Whether you’re a complete beginner looking to dip your toes into the waters of kayaking or an experienced expert looking for new places to explore, we’ve got you covered. We provide a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know, from finding the best spots on the lake, what gear to bring along for your journey, safety tips so can cruise without hitting any rocks – and some fun fishing tales to reel in while you’re at it. So hit us up before hittin’ the water – with Kayak Manual as your trusty companion, you can be confident that sailing is smooth sailing!

    About Kayak Manual

    Kayak Manual is trying to help both beginners and seasoned kayakers to have a great time on the water by providing them with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available about kayaking.

    We hope that this manual will provide you with all of the information that you need to get started kayaking or to improve your existing skills. In addition, we have included many helpful tips and resources that we hope you will find useful.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    KayakManual.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualified purchases.

    Recent Posts
    • How to Pack Your Kayak
    • Flush Mounted Rod Holder Install for the Offshore Angler
    • Best Kayak Fishing Crates
    • Benefits of Paddling for Exercise
    • Best Bed Racks for Chevrolet Silverado
    • Perfect the Canoe Forward Stroke
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    © 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.