Forward Sweep – Kayak

This is a Kayak Turning Stroke: Even though this stroke is shown in a kayak, the concept works reasonably well for all types of paddle powered watercraft from canoes to rafts. Click on the photo to watch a video of the stroke.

Click on the picture to watch the forward sweep video

Numbers 13:30
Deuteronomy 1:36
Joshua 14:13-14

The Forward Sweep is a correction stroke that works really well when you want to turn your boat and continue your forward speed or even accelerate the boat forward. It provides the most efficient use of harnessing the energy and applying it toward a new goal. The Forward Sweep is generally the preferable approach to turning the boat in contrast to a “negative stroke” which stops your forward momentum. The constant starting and stopping caused by using too many negative strokes for correction requires more effort and tires you quickly because each time the boat must be restarted from a standstill.

It is easy to let a negative approach rule your life. In the story of Israel in the wilderness, the people had the choice to go into the Promised Land…or not. Caleb (and Joshua) understood the positive attitude and action that was needed to go there but the people reacted in fear. They refused to trust God. They didn’t make it into the Promised Land, but Joshua and Caleb celebrated a victory and life there. If Israel had turned and accelerated forward, trusting God along the way, they wouldn’t have gotten caught in the wilderness for 40 years.

Isaiah 14:23 uses a memorable metaphor for some groups, especially teen boys, stating “I will sweep it with the broom of destruction.” The stroke really can stand out in your head if you call the forward sweep the Broom of Destruction. Just by its name the term calls for action, in this case for the forward sweep, it is a positive action that drives the boat towards a new destination. The broom of destruction destroys the apathy in your life. It may seem odd at first that the Broom of Destruction might be used in a positive way but the implied encouragement is that you no longer wait around for things to happen but direct, or redirect, your life in a positive way. If you focus on destroying apathy and become directed toward helping others, your life will be changed and you will likely change the world through the love of God.