Before jumping straight into this section about specific stroke skills, it is important to understand the foundational aspects of paddling. Without a strong foundation, the strokes below will not be nearly as effective. You and your students will find yourselves struggling and using too much energy to fully enjoy your time on the water.
All strokes exhibit the same characteristic, especially turning strokes, of the need for anticipation. It could be said that Hope, in its general sense, is the anticipation of a future outcome. It is a subjective expectation which may be either firmly based or misdirected. If you use the correct stroke, the boat will go pretty much where you want it to go. If you use the wrong stroke then it will turn in a direction that sometimes brings demoralizing results.
God has given you instructions and hope for life through the eternal Word (see John 1:1-18). The challenge is to faithfully live out the instructions given with the anticipation of hope. Life is not just something that you do at summer camp, or once in a while; it is an everyday occurrence and opportunity to practice your skills of grace and hope by living your life by sharing kindness and mercy with the world.
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD,
plans for your welfare and not for harm,
to give you a future with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Bear in mind that while the strokes, and certainly the illustrations and videos, in this section are more specific for kayaks, the concepts also apply to other paddle craft as well. Before starting on the individual strokes make sure you have reviewed: Holding the Paddle, Anchor the Blade, and Vertical vs Horizontal Strokes.
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