The Forward Stroke is important for all paddlers, and while there are variations, most build upon these instructions. To do this properly, it’s important to be fitted well into your kayak, with feet on foot pegs, and a good upright posture: check out Boat Fit - How to Make Your Kayak Perform Better for more info.

Step 1
Once situated in your kayak, take the paddle and hold it in front of you. Make sure the paddle is positioned centered on your torso. (i.e. each blade is an equal distance from the center of your chest) Your grip should be light, no need to white knuckle the paddle. Most paddlers use a right hand control paddle, meaning that the right hand does not allow the shaft to rotate, while the left does. For the purpose of this skill builder, we’ll assume a right hand control paddle. Your hands should be positioned just slightly wider than shoulder width, leaving your elbows in a 90 degree bend. You’ll notice that there is now a rectangle formed by your chest, arms and paddle shaft.

Step 2
Torso rotation is key to an efficient forward stroke. Keeping your arms, chest and paddle in that box shape, practice winding up your torso. Using your abdominal muscles, sweep your paddle blades through a short arc. Practice until you can move the paddle through the arc using only minimal arm movements. Most of the movement should be felt in your abdominal muscles.

Step 3
As you begin to get a feel for using your torso, start putting the blade in the water, starting on the right side. Twist your torso until the blade is near your toes, dip the paddle in the water, making sure the blade is fully engaged. As your torso unwinds to the neutral position, the boat should move forward. It’s important to lift the paddle from the water before your hands pass your hips. If the paddle blade continues past your hips, the blade will turn towards the hull, turning your kayak. Since our goal is to move forward as efficiently as we can, we want to keep the stroke short, from your toes to your hips. The paddle blade should be kept fairly close to the kayak, moving it further away creates more of an arc, and thus more turning is introduced.

Step 4
As you lift the paddle blade on your right side, begin twisting your body to put the paddle blade in on the left side. You’ll notice that the paddle blade isn’t aligned vertically in the water, meaning you’ll have to bend your elbow back on your right side. How much depends on the amount of feather in your paddle blades. Be sure and use your elbow to adjust for the feather, as using the wrist can lead to joint problems. Drop the paddle in the water, and allow your body to unwind, moving the boat forward.

Step 5
Repeating this simple motion will allow for the efficient forward motion of your kayak. Especially in touring kayaks where this accounts for a very high percentage of the paddling time, it’s important to master this deceptively simple skill.