Back Stroke In Basic Kayaking Video

Get ready for your first canoe or kayak trip! Back stroke. Our expert shows you the basics of canoeing and kayaking.

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Phil Meyer started his kayaking career in Colorado in the days when kayaks were made in the backyard out of fiberglass and river trips meant stopping in eddies to duct tape your kayak back together. He enjoys instructing kayaking and SWR almost as much as just playing on the rivers. While he was the manager for the Costa Rican Outward Bound School, he and friends captured several first descents. He was also featured in

We're now talking about a backstroke for your kayak. Now, the backwards stroke, to make your kayak go backwards, is the same as the front stroke. You always want to hold the paddle exactly the same way, which means that I'm just going to use the backside of the blade rather than the power face. So, when I do a backstroke, I'm not going to let go of that right grip, I always keep the right grip exactly the same, left hand again is pivoting. What I want to do, basically, put the paddle behind me, brings the paddle forward keeping it alongside me and keeping the paddle blade vertical, and just do the exact opposite of the forward stroke. So bring it along, and it will push the boat backwards. Same thing let me sit down and show you. So again I'm in the kayak. What I want to do, put the blade behind me like this, bring it back to my feet, and I'm done with the stroke. This will propel the boat backwards. The biggest thing is don't shift the paddle in your hands like that. You always want to keep the exact same grip on the blade, and I'm about to go demonstrate it on the water for you. I'm going to start behind me holding the paddle the same way, and just slowly backstroke. It's a lot harder to go straight like this. Let me turn around and I'll come back to you.

Back Stroke in Basic Kayaking Video

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