Skillset: Forward Sweep With Edging

Spring 2007

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Alex Matthews

Most sea kayaks are primarily designed to travel efficiently in a straight line, which is ideal for covering distance. The downside is that they are relatively difficult to turn. One of the best ways to turn your kayak is to use a forward sweep combined with boat tilt. The forward sweep can be used while stationary or while moving. The wonderful thing about using a sweep while moving is that it lets you turn your boat effectively while keeping your forward speed going.

Just like so many other strokes, the power for sweeps comes from torso rotation, not independent arm movement. The forward sweep is initiated with your body wound up and your blade planted in the water at your toes. Your hands stay relatively low as your torso unwinds and drives the blade in an arcing path as far out to the side of your kayak as is comfortably possible. The blade continues on this sweeping path until it’s about six inches from the stern of your kayak. Make sure to slice your blade out of the water before it touches the stern, or your paddle will get pinned against the kayak making you very unstable. Still be sure to finish your stroke though, meaning that you conscientiously complete the full sweeping arc with your paddle, as it’s the last third of the stroke that is most effective for turning the boat.

To get the maximum turning potential out of a forward sweep, you’ll need to add one more component to the stroke: edging. To balance your kayak on edge while sweeping, tilt your boat in the direction of the stroke, while keeping your head over the kayak. If you want to turn to the left for instance, think in terms of weighting your right butt cheek and lifting your left knee while sweeping with the paddle on the right.

To help maintain your balance with the boat on edge, use a climbing angle on the sweeping blade to create lift and support. This means that the blade will be held on about a 45-degree angle as its power face is swept from the bow to the stern, effectively making it a combination sweep/high brace (see WaveLength, Fall 2006, Skillset for the high brace).

The recovery for the stroke is done in a low brace position. As you rewind your torso to repeat the stroke, (or to return to a neutral position) the back of the paddle blade sweeps above the water in a low brace position (WaveLength, Aug/Sept. 2006, Skillset), ready to be deployed should you lose your balance and need a little extra support. As always, when skimming your blade across the water during the recovery phase, you’ll need a climbing angle on the leading edge of your blade to create lift, and prevent the paddle from diving.

ADVANCED TIP
As you gain more and more experience and your skills improve, your techniques will evolve. One thing that you’ll find yourself doing, is leading your turns with your head instead of watching your paddle blade throughout your stroke. In many situations it’s optimal to keep your eyes on where you’re going, especially when conditions are challenging. The problem with leading with your head is that it doesn’t promote torso rotation, and it’s very easy to miss the end of your stroke, so you need to develop a very natural and powerful sweep stroke before modifying your technique in this way.