Kayak - How To Paddle Backwards

To properly view this site, javascript must be enabled and Flash version 9 or higher must be installed.
Get the latest Flash player
Mike Aronoff
Canoe, Kayak and Paddle Co., LLC.
www.CKAPCO.com  
 

Mike is an American Canoe Association highest level Instructor Trainer Educator in both Coastal and River Kayaking as well as WW Canoe. He is also a British canoe Union Coach with the 4 Star award in Sea Kayak. He is the Chairman of the Coastal Kayak Committee of the USA and on the ACA Safety Education and Instruction Committee. Mike has co authored a number of books on paddling and wrote the ACA Kayak Trip Leading Course. He is a guest instructor in many parts of the US for various programs. He is the owner/general manager of Canoe Kayak and Paddle Co. LLC, a northern Virginia based paddling school and outfitter with an Annapolis, MD branch. Mike is also a registered Idaho Guide and leads trips there and locally. He is most active in certifying ACA paddling instructors in sea and river kayaking.

Kayak - How To Paddle Backwards

This video is on general information and fundamental strokes for paddling recreational kayaks. These kayaks are appropriate for lakes and bays in very moderate conditions and or rivers with gentle current but no rapids.

This expert: 162,087 views

This series: 129,396 views

Print

Transcripts

You are probably wondering what is that guy doing going the wrong directions in his kayak. Sometimes you want to go backwards. You go backwards a lot for a couple of different reasons.

Often we are doing some exploration, you might be down, narrow or creek, and it's actually too narrow to turn around, so you want to back up. Other times you are going to want to back up because it might be easier to back up than to turn for example doing a rescue or to help a buddy out, to go back in and get something.

Also, because we are paddling forward 95% of the time, its good exercise it balances your muscles out of back out. So, paddling backwards is good stuff to practice and to know how to do well.

A reverse stroke is done again, using the torso; I didn t introduce myself, I am Mike Aranoff with Canoe Kayak and Paddle. Well lets start off with a reverse stroke, we are sitting upright, rotate back, placing the paddle a couple of feet off the hull, back face to the water, press down, exit at about the knee, then you take back the other side.

I am going to back away from you, the idea is that I will be able to go backwards straight. Backstroke is also the same stroke you use when you need to stop the kayak, exactly the same stroke, pretty valuable, the backstroke.

Other Videos

  • Putt better and Release the putterhead.
  • Light Saber Letter Tutorials: E - H The letter forms, (created by the NY Jedi), preformed by two members of the PA Jedi. Letters E through H.
  • Baseball - The Batting Stance This video shows how to have the correct stance when batting in Baseball.
  • How to Play Racquetball In this video series, Racquetball coach Malia Bailey demonstrates the basics of Racquetball. Malia covers all the rules of the game. She also demonstrates drills to help you with your footwork.
  • Fun Golf Drills for Kids PGA member Jay Golden provides tips and techniques for parents to help teach their kids to play golf. He provides fun drills, full swing, chipping and putting techniques as well as goes over golf rules, manners and safety.
  • Pool Trick Shots with Partners - Lightning and Thunder In this video, professional pool players Andy Segal and Bruce Barthelette explain and demonstrate some trick shots performed with two people. This video is intended for the intermediate to advanced player, since some of the skills require a bit of experience. Players just starting out can enjoy the demonstrations, while the more advanced players can learn how to perform these shots for themselves. All of the shots seen in this video have been performed by Andy Segal and Bruce Barthelette on ESPN. Shots include Weaving, The Machine Gun Race, Lightening & Thunder, and The Spinning Rack.