[Paddlewise] Draw Strokes - Edging

From: <john_at_outdoorplace.org>
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 08:16:26 -0500
What is the consensus on the most effective (efficient, stable) way to edge
a kayak on  draw strokes?  When executing a draw and sculling draw stroke, I
learned to face the draw side (paddle side), paddle vertical, and edge the
kayak so the draw side of the kayak is slightly UP.  However, a friend
learned to edge the draw side DOWN.  

A quick search on the internet and my small library turned up inconsistent
techniques:

Draw Side UP
------------
http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pages/ExpertCenter/propulsion/Propulsion-4
.shtml
Atlantic Kayak Tours' Expert Center:
"Lift the knee on the paddle side to keep the edge from getting caught as
the boat slips sideways." 

http://members.aol.com/kayakillen/katabasis/draw.htm
Ray Killen, ACA and BCU certified instructor:
"...you should be lifting the 'draw side' knee to edge the kayak to allow
the water to slip under the hull. If you edge the other way, you may pull
water onto the hull which could throw you off balance."


Draw Side DOWN
--------------
Video on this Liquid Rhythm Kayaking page (you may need to click to start
video):
http://www.liquidrhythmkayaking.com/Draws.html

Derek Hutchinson in The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking, 5th Ed.:
"With practice, you will be able to extend your reach by leaning the kayak
well over on its side.  This will certainly give your stroke more power.
However, you will also discover the submerged gunwale digging into the water
affects the strokes efficiency.
  As I draw the kayak towards the paddle, by knee on the opposite side to
the stroke is exerting an upward pressure under the cockpit coaming."


My thinking is that the draw side of the kayak UP has less frictional
resistance and less chance of 'tripping' over the paddle.  

What's your thinking?

Thanks,

John
Dallas, Texas
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
Received on Tue Aug 07 2007 - 21:11:44 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:26 PDT