Besides the J-stroke and the forward strokes, there are other strokes we use to maneuver on the water, including the “draw” and “cross bow draw” strokes…..
Draw Stroke
This is a steering/turning stroke used by both bow person and stern person to pull the canoe to the paddling side. It can be used to move the canoe sideways, avoid obstacles and to turn the canoe around in a circle.
The draw is executed the same for both the bow and stern, but the effect is quite different. A right draw in the bow turns the boat to the right, while a right draw in the stern turns the boat to the left, and vice versa.
- Begin by maintaining proper form: hold paddle properly and sit up straight.
- Start the stroke by raising the paddle up, bringing the grip handle to about head level, and the shaft hand out to the side and not angled across the body
- As you are bringing the paddle up and out, rotate your torso to the side and place the blade vertically into the water at a comfortable distance from the canoe. Both arms are fully extended.
- Draw the paddle toward you through the water perpendicular to the canoe. You are actually pulling the canoe toward the paddle.
- When you stop pulling, your paddle should be vertical and practically touching the side of the canoe. Imagine pushing water under the canoe!
- To finish your draw, slice your paddle out of the water behind you, then feather around to the starting position for your next stroke.
Tip: Use the torso and upper body rotation to aid in the stroke to give maximum power. You shouldnât be using your arms as much as you use the rotation of your torso.
Cross-Bow Draw Stroke (Bow )
Designed for the bow paddler, the cross-bow draw is like the draw stroke but done on the opposite, or âoff,â side than you are paddling on. This stroke is used to quickly turn the canoe (pivot) and to avoid obstacles.
- To execute this stroke, it is essential to hold the paddle correctly.
- Keep that hold and lift the paddle over the bow by rotating your torso to place the blade in the water on the opposite side without changing your grip.
- Reach out and insert the blade of the paddle into the water away from the canoe and toward the front.
- Pull towards the canoe with your shaft hand and push with your grip hand to draw the paddle through the water so your paddle faces the bow of the canoe (your thumb on the grip hand will be facing away from you).
- By holding firm and not letting your paddle get pulled away from you, youâll cause the canoe to turn towards your paddle.
To see out how these and how other strokes work, check out Path of the Paddle: Double Basics
Credits:
CanoeingBasics.com
Canoe Cross Bow Draw Stroke â Andrew Westwood
Illustration: By MooseHead88 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0