Stern Draw - 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 the picture to watch the stern draw video

Psalm 71:4-6
John 10:11
James 3:4

One way to guide your kayak is with a subtle steering stroke called a stern draw. In theory, going straight seems to be, straight forward. But in reality the boat is ready to spin out at any second and you are only in between corrections the whole time. Although all strokes exhibit the need of anticipation; meaning that you should do the strokes almost before you think you need it; with the stern draw, the need for anticipation seems to be magnified. When applied in connection with a forward stroke, it is often hard to tell when the forward strokes ends and the steering stroke begins. Together they keep the boat moving forward on the chosen path quickly and efficiently. The sooner you correct a problem, the easier it is to make the correction. However, if you wait too long, it may seem next to impossible to take the corrective actions needed to stay on course and the result is that your boat will spin around backwards. The stern draw is also the best stroke for initiating a turn and is very complimentary (thank you very much) of the bow draw. For more information see the Bow Draw page.

Have you ever noticed that guiding a life that is wreaked by lies often feels out of control? The farther along you go without correcting the lie, or sin in your life, the harder it is to correct. Soon your life is spinning out of control and it takes a lot of effort and energy to get your life back on track. If you take the needed correction by acknowledging the problem and asking for forgiveness or forgiving someone else of an error early on, you can often easily fix the problem and heal relationships. A life without good correction is similar to a paddler in need of a good stern draw…both are often out of control.