Cross Draw

SEA KAYAKING TIPS

Canoeing:

Cross Draw

Laurie Gullion

The cross draw stroke is a quick and effective way to execute an offside spin (when the canoe turns away from the designated paddling side of the bow (or solo) paddler.

You reach across the bow, opposite your original paddling side, and use the cross draw to pull the canoe toward the blade. To read about the draw, click on the link below.

Follow these steps to learn the cross draw:

1) Lift the paddle across the bow and rotate your torso as far as your flexibility allows. Your shoulders face away from the canoe.

2) Move the paddle into a position more horizontal to the water surface, with the thumb of your grip hand point towards the sky.

3) The powerface of the blade faces the canoe.

4) Your shaft arm extends fully at the catch and stays extended throughout the stroke. Your grip hand remains low - between your hip and chest.

5) Swivel your torso until your shoulders are perpendicular to the centerline, which will bring the bow to the blade.

6) Lift the blade from the water before the canoe strikes it, and recover the blade to the catch position.

-- Excerpted from: Canoeing, A Woman's Guide.