Practice the unsung backstroke

KAYAKING

practise the unsung backstroke Backwards is a step in the right direction

By Ken Whiting Photos by Paul Villecourt

Most kayak paddlers develop a forward stroke powerful enough to get them where they need to go, but very few paddlers ever reach that same level of comfort with their backstroke.

Taking the time to practise back-paddling will go a long way to improving overall paddling. The practice will make your stroke more effective and youʼll have an increased awareness when you fi nd yourself backward on the river. Working on the backstroke is also a great way to help prevent shoulder injuries.

For anatomical reasons, the shoulder dislocates forward more than 90 percent of the time. Backstroking strengthens front shoulder muscles that forward stroking misses. This wonʼt prevent a dislocation from happening, but it can certainly lower the odds.

Back paddling with a forward body position helps keep the stern edges of your kayak out of the water. Keeping the top hand around shoulder level gives you the most power. Don’t forget to take quick glances behind you to avoid running into anything.

Letʼs take a look at a few things to keep in mind when practising your backward paddling. First of all, it is absolutely critical that you watch where youʼre going while youʼre

Backstroke action: Backstroke is an important stroke for advanced playboating moves as well.

backing up. As obvious as this might seem, youʼd be amazed at how often kayakers get caught up with the simple task of paddling in a straight line and plow right into something or someone. Choose one shoulder to look over, and do so every few strokes. Youʼll fi nd itʼs easiest to look over that shoulder as you reach to take a stroke on that same side since your body will be partly turned in that direction. When you know youʼre not going to run into anything, you can use landmarks in front of you to stay straight. You might choose a tree in the distance to help keep you on track.

As whitewater kayaks have been getting smaller and edgier, it has become more and more important to back-paddle with your body forward, in an “aggressive position.” This forward leaning position gives you the most control over your kayak, but more importantly, it helps keep your stern edges from catching water. Sometimes paddling in an aggressive position isnʼt enough to keep your stern edges from diving underwater, especially when youʼre paddling against current or crossing an eddy line.

There is another technique you can use. By tilting your boat slightly and very briefl y into each backstroke that you take, you can slice your bow slightly under water, which keeps your stern on top. How much you actually pull your bow underwater will depend on the particular situation, but remember that your backstroke is most effi cient when your boat is fl at, so be careful not to overuse this boat tilt technique.

As for the back stroke itself, the stroke begins just behind your hip and ends at your toes. At fi rst youʼll fi nd yourself doing lots of back sweepstrokes to correct your angle, but as you get more comfortable going backward, think about keeping your top hand around shoulder level to get the most push from your stroke. Another way to make the stroke more effective is to use the power of your

whole upper body. Turning your chest to face your knee when you plant each stroke will help wind your body up and get your large torso muscles working for you.

Iʼll be the fi rst to admit that the backstroke isnʼt very exciting to practise, but it will lead to a dramatic improvement in your paddling. Make it a habit to include 30 or 40 backstrokes in your warm-up routine. As it becomes more comfortable, start messing around with it in the whitewater. The rewards for practicing your backstroke are truly worth the small investment in time thatʼs required. —Ken Whiting is a World Champion Kayaker, and the author and producer of an award-winning series of instructional kayaking books and videos. He teaches at the Liquid Skills Kayak School on the Ottawa River and leads kayaking trips to Chile in the winter. More information is available at www.playboat.com

By tilting your boat slightly and briefly into each stroke, you’ll keep your stern on top of the water. The backstroke is most efficient when your kayak is flat, so don’t overuse the boat tilt technique.

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