Moving Sideways - Kayak

This is a Kayak 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.

There are two different strokes, or methods, to efficiently move the boat sideways, the Side Draw and Sculling Draw. Some people find the Side Draw easier to perform; others find the sculling motion easier. It is recommended to chose one method and stick with it. Both are valuable approaches to being able to move alongside others or reposition your boat in tight places. Click on each of the photos to watch a video of each stroke.

Side Draw

Click on picture to watch the video

Sculling Draw

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Acts 2:43-47
Ephesians 2:21-22
Philippians 1:27-30

You will notice early in your teaching, guiding career that it is important to be able to gather the group together for an instructional message from time to time. When the group is scattered around the lake it is hard to convey the message necessary to help them improve and have more fun on the water. There are many other reasons for the need to come along beside someone in a boat whether it is to share a story, a snack or for stability and comfort. If everyone understands how to move their boat sideways and be able to join their fellow paddlers, creating a “raft” of boats, your job of group management and teaching becomes much easier. Drawing your boat sideways, whether it is to join others or move away from something to have enough room to maneuver your boat or paddle away is always a useful tool to have in your stroke toolbox.

As God’s children, you find that the moments in which you gather together to share encouragement, a meal or just enjoy each other's company are the most valuable times in your life. Throughout his life, Jesus has moved up alongside many people that needed help. They needed healing, they needed some food (physical and spiritual) and he gave it to them. But he didn’t stop there; he encouraged all that might follow him to do the same. Through familiar stories such as the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29-37 and the story of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46 it becomes clear that Jesus not only came up alongside others to bring grace through acts of service but expected all of his followers to do the same. As you gather together, either in an eddy, in your home or in a small group study, remember the greatest call is to come up alongside others reaching out to them and giving them the hope of Christ through acts of kindness.

Bow 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 on the picture to watch the bow draw video.

Psalm 22:27
Isaiah 45:22-25
John 4:4-32

The bow draw provides a dramatic change in direction. The turn must be initiated before performing this dynamic stroke. After using this dynamic turning stroke, it is often followed by a forward stroke to continue the momentum in the new direction. One unique advantage of using the Bow Draw offers the capacity to use the “power face” of the paddle for both the Draw and Forward strokes. This allows the paddler to quickly and forcefully move the boat in a new direction.

Psalm 22 illustrates how the Lord turns to us in loving kindness. God is the initiator of the turning or returning. Just as God approaches us in love and through the grace offered through Christ, we are called to turn to the Lord and be saved. If we turn in response to the initiative of the Lord, our turn will be dramatic and we can travel confidently to our final destination. In the story of the Samaritan Woman where Jesus teaches her (and us) about Living Water, he needs to dramatically change her attitude about life. The significant challenge for action by a conversation with Jesus at the well in John 4:16 causes her to turn dramatically from seeing living water not as something physical but something spiritual and eternal. Then when she finally turns, many others follow and a whole town is saved along with her.

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.