| In our beginner's guide to kayaking, we discusses the | | | | Once you are comfortable with the forward stroke |
| various types of kayaking and the basic equipment | | | | used in kayaking, it is time to learn the reverse stroke. |
| you need to get starting, including a kayak designed for | | | | This is the stroke used to move your kayak |
| the waters you plan to kayak on, an approved | | | | backwards and is very similar to the forward stroke, |
| lifejacket, like the Coleman Ebro Paddle Vest, and a | | | | only reversed. Remember, again, to use your whole |
| quality double bladed paddle for kayaking. Now, we are | | | | body as you execute each step of this stroke. |
| going to discuss a few basic paddling strokes. Once | | | | Begin the reverse stroke on your right side, placing the |
| you have an understanding of these simple strokes, | | | | right paddle blade in the water at your hip. Keeping |
| you will be ready to enjoy your very first kayaking | | | | your left arm straight and your left hand near the |
| adventure. | | | | center of the deck, bend your right arm and push the |
| First, you will want to learn a forward stroke. This is | | | | paddle forward. Move the blade in the direction you |
| the paddling stroke used most often during kayaking | | | | are moving, extending your right arm as you bend the |
| and is used to propel the kayak in a straight, forward | | | | left, and ending the stroke when the blade reaches |
| motion. Begin this stroke while sitting correctly in your | | | | your feet. You will then take the right blade out of the |
| kayak. Lean forward just a little, holding the paddle | | | | water as you reposition your paddle, continuing the |
| firmly with both hands. Keep your left elbow bent with | | | | same process on the left side. |
| that hand level with your chin as you extend your right | | | | Now that you can move your kayak forward and |
| arm completely, placing the right paddle blade into the | | | | backward, you should learn to turn the boat. There are |
| water. The blade should enter the water slightly in front | | | | a few different paddling strokes that can be used to |
| of your body, near the position of your feet. | | | | steer your kayak, but most kayakers find that the bow |
| Remember to use your entire body as you paddle, | | | | sweep helps keep the boat stable as it turns. To make |
| rotating your upper body with the movement of the | | | | a left turn using the bow sweep, you will want to |
| paddle blades. Use this movement to push the right | | | | straighten your right arm while turning your body slightly |
| blade through the water, moving it back toward you, | | | | to the left, keeping your left arm bent. Begin to move |
| parallel to the boat. Stop the blade once it reaches | | | | your body to the right as you propel the blade through |
| your hip and quickly pull it out of the water. At the | | | | the water in an arc away from the boat. At the same |
| same time, you will need to reposition the paddle so | | | | time, straighten your left arm and bend the right, |
| the left blade is ready to enter the water. Now, you will | | | | stopping the stroke near your hip. This paddling stroke |
| want to bend your right arm while fully extending your | | | | will turn your kayak quickly, without loosing speed, and |
| left arm and repeat the same process. | | | | will usually keep the kayak stable. |