If you're with the kayak and you want to make sure you have the basics, there are some basic paddling moves that will give you the start you need. One of the first elements that kayakers perceive is their shovel and all this is great once you have mastered the basic movements.

From learning to advance to turn and control the boat, there is a blow to everything. Here is how to master the basic paddling strokes:

How to hold the shovel

First things first, you need to know how to hold the paddle if you want to master the basic rowing movements successfully. This is how it should be celebrated:

● The country should be held with both hands and the space between the two should be approximately the same amount of space between the shoulders. If you spread your hands too far, you will find yourself tired easily and you will need much more strength in your upper body. If you place your hands too close to each other, you will suffer with lack of strength in each stroke.
● Avoid holding the blade with too much force and use a relaxed grip instead; a strong grip is likely to cause fatigue. By holding the paddle shaft loosely, you will reduce the level of fatigue in your arms and the power will come into place when you push forward with each stroke.
● The knuckles should always be facing upwards and one of the blades of the blade should always be vertical.

There are some different types of blades, each with different uses. The combined blades are those with their blades fixed in a parallel position. They are most commonly used by kayak beginners. However, they do not work as well in windy conditions as flat blades that trap the wind and cause resistance. This is avoided with feathered blades, since they have an angled blade; With its smaller surface, there is less resistance when it is windy.

Most modern blades have a button that allows you to lose weight when necessary, usually at 30 °, 45 ° or 60 °. There is no ideal angle to row and much of that has to do with opinions and personal preferences; This is something that is learned through experience. Many paddlers prefer a high angle because it reduces wind resistance, but few venture beyond 60 °.

How to move forward

A blow forward is the first blow you will learn, and generally the one you will lose the most. Quite simply, it is the blow that will help you move forward. A good forward stroke is achieved when the upper arms and central muscles are involved, as this combination provides a great deal of power and control. By doing this, you can move the boat forward with as little effort as possible, reducing the amount of work you need to do and making sure you can row as long as possible. Here are some tips that will help you become a professional in the forward race:
● Think of yourself as moving beyond the sheet, instead of the sheet moving through the water. This is often described as a liquidation and capture movement; This involves rolling with the torso in the forward race, catching the water with the blade and going through it.
● Always try to drip the palette in an area parallel to your feet.
● The movement must be continuous, as a kind of pushing and pulling movement; press with the upper hand, pull with the bottom and the boat will slide through the water.

To move efficiently through water and to minimize the amount of work that must be done, it is important to add power to your forward career. This is because a good technique is much more beneficial than the amount of upper body strength you have. This can be done by:

● Think of your hands as extensions of your body; Everyone should work together.
● Imagine that you hit with one hand; This is the kind of fast and smooth movement you are looking for.
● Positioning of a shoulder-level hand on the pallet for greater power and control.
● Use a strong torso rotation when you need an additional boost of power.
● Use the power of your shoulder to hit your hand forward.

How to turn

The shovel is also used to turn and, therefore, is an important blow to master. After all, rowing is not good if you can only go in one direction. The turn can be done by placing a blade in the water on one side of the boat, then turning in that direction. However, it will lose speed when it turns and, therefore, it will be necessary to row soon after. To keep as much forward movement as possible when turning, the movement of the sweep race is preferred. This is done by:

Tilt the boat to one side, while making sure you keep your balance. Then extend your arms forward and place the leaf in the water next to your feet. This is where the sweep hit will start.
● Next, drag the blade in a wide arc toward the back of the boat. The more power you use, the better the hit will be.
● To finish the sweeping stroke, lift the paddle out of the water when approaching the back of the boat.

A turning stroke must be as a result of a smooth and gradual turning movement, without the loss of
Power or speed of advance.

How to perform approximation

The drawing strokes are used when you want to pull your boat near something else, like another boat or a riverbank. They are relatively simple to make. Start by extending the shovel away from you using your arms, about 60 cm works well and make sure that the blade shaft is slightly tilted with the blade tilted towards you. Next, lower your hand and pull the blade towards you. Repeat this stretch movement: turn the blade each time so you can move through the water with ease, and this will move the kayak sideways towards the object you want to approach.

It is important to note that sometimes the blade may get stuck under the kayak, but when it is removed it could be
make your kayak tip over. If this happens, release and start again.

Another way to approach the kayak is called sculling and, although it is similar, there are differences. Start by extending the shovel away from you in the same way you would with a normal run, but instead of pulling the blade towards you, twist your wrists as if you were greasing a piece of bread. This forward and backward movement will help the kayak move smoothly through the water.

How to reverse the direction and stop

Stopping the kayak is something everyone needs to know how to do it, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you need to stop suddenly. To stop the boat simply do the opposite.
Of a blow forward. Instead of starting at the front of the boat and pulling the blade towards the end of the kayak, start at the end and push it forward. Repeat a couple of times and the kayak will stop quickly.

How to manage wind and shovel accordingly

The wind has a great impact on any type of boat, but kayaks tend to suffer much more due to its light construction. In fact, any gust of wind over 11 miles per hour can affect the way your kayak moves. over the water When you are using a kayak, your body acts as a sail for the wind and this can trap the wind in the same way that a sail does; This will have an effect on your speed and direction.


A direct headwind will be the hardest thing to overcome when you're in the water. Paddling and kayaking often find different situations where the wind often hits them at different angles. If this happens, it is likely that your kayak will deviate a bit from the road, even if you are paddling in a specific direction. For example, if you are paddling in a straight line and there is a wind coming from the left you are likely to find that the back of the boat is moving; Think of the kayak as a weathervane This is corrected with paddle strokes on the opposite side. Instead of trying to row in the same way and act as if the wind was not there, counteract its effects with sweeping movements on the opposite side. You can also release a rudder if the kayak you are using has one, as this will prevent the kayak from flying over the water as well. In the end, the job of a rudder is to minimize the effects of the wind. Other kayaks have a keel and these act in a similar way to a rudder, although they can not be controlled. The keel will allow you to stay on the road in a straight line, with minimal impact from the wind. So play with your positioning and see what works best for the exact situation you are dealing with. Eventually, you will find what is ideal for you and positioning and rowing will be much easier to develop.