Essential Paddle Strokes for Kayaking

You've just entered your boat from a rock, pier, or even the deck of a pool, and you want to get out into the water—or conversely, you want to reach a similar mooring to disembark.

You could push off with your paddle, or reach out and"grab" with it—and to be honest that's what you'll often do. But for more elegance and less chance to chip that expensive ash "stick," impress your partners with a pry or draw. These mirror-image strokes move the kayak sideways.

Pry and draw strokes are nice additions to your arsenal when quick course correction is in order—if, for instance, you are heading bow-on toward a rock or a floating ice chunk. Since you are already paddling forward, your paddle is in high-brace position. Slip the shaft 90 degrees so the blade is parallel to the boat's side, pry or draw as appropriate, and just like that you are back on course.