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Canoeing:
Offside U-Turn
Laurie Gullion
Before attempting an offside U-turn while underway, be sure you can perform a quick offside spin in place using a cross bow draw. You will also need to know how to perform a Duffek stroke. To read about the cross bow draw and the Duffek , please click on links below. This stroke is a great move for approaching the boat dock or turning in behind a rock in the river. The first step to learning a U-turn while underway is to modify the bow paddler’s draw into a cross Duffek. At the catch, the orientation of the paddle shaft changes to a more vertical position relative to the water surface to give you more stability. As a result, the blade will move closer to your body. To help create this solid brace against the water, let both arms extend as fully as possible when the paddle is in the catch position. After you gain momentum with forward strokes, plant the paddle in the cross Duffek position and hold the paddle still. Your paddle creates a fixed point or anchor around which the canoe will turn. When the bow swings around towards the paddle, you’ll feel the water pressure begin to fade under the blade. Then you must decide whether to do a cross draw to continue turning or a forward stroke to move the canoe into position behind the rock. You can also use a cross forward after the cross Duffek to complete the move. What does the stern paddler do? She can use the pry for a quick turn, or try a reverse sweep for a longer, slower turn. -- Excerpted from: Canoeing: A Woman's Guide
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SEA KAYAKING TIPS 
