: Begin with a standard forward stroke by rotating your torso and planting the paddle blade ahead of your knees. Pull the paddle straight back toward your hip to gain momentum.
: As the blade reaches your hip, start the "J" motion. Rotate your top hand so that your thumb points downward or toward the bow. j strokes
: A less efficient version of the J-stroke where the paddler keeps their thumb pointing up and prys against the gunwale (the edge of the boat). : Begin with a standard forward stroke by
: New paddlers often "pry" too hard, causing the boat to swerve in the opposite direction. Apply just enough resistance to maintain a straight line. Rotate your top hand so that your thumb
: Slice the blade out of the water to reset for your next stroke. Key Tips for Mastery