How to move your kayak sideways

Moving your kayak sideways is a useful skill to learn. You can use the skill on rivers, canals, lakes and the sea.

It uses movement of the paddle blade to generate a force that pulls the kayak towards the paddle.

You'll be surprised how many times you need to use it and how effective it can be. And how it can sometimes be used to get you out of trouble!

It's great for bringing you closer to the bank when getting out, for moving out of the way of obstacles and for adjusting your direction when paddling.

You can use it when you are stationary or when you are moving either under your own steam or in the current.

And, the blade end of the stroke, works for canoe, stand up paddleboard and kayak.

OK. Let's take a look at two methods you can use to move your kayak sideways.

Dave using the draw stroke in his kayak

Moving sideways using the draw stroke

The first is the draw stroke. This is an easy stroke to begin with, but does have a pit fall!

It uses the force applied to the paddle blade to pull the kayak sideways.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Start with the paddle almost vertical and the paddle blade in the water at right angles and a distance from the kayak - about 18 inches. Your top hand should be almost touching your forehead.

Step 1

Step 2: Apply pressure to the blade, keeping it in the water, and pull yourself toward the paddle shaft. Keep a strong hold on the paddle so the kayak moves towards the paddle.

Step 2

Step 3: Lean slightly away from the paddle. This makes the stroke a little easier to do because it presents the curve of the hull towards the water. Don't lean too far!

Step 4: As the paddle blade gets close to the kayak - about 4 to 6 inches away, turn it 90 degrees in the water and slice it back to the start position.

Step 4

Repeat as many strokes as needed to move your kayak to the desired positon.

Beware!

Don't let the paddle blade get too close to the kayak or you will risk the blade catching the water and forcing itself under the kayak - which can tip you in!

When you are learning the stroke, you can change step 4 so instead, you take the paddle blade out of the water and lift it back to the start position.

Practice until the paddle action is fluent and your kayak movement a consistent speed.

Moving sideways using the sculling draw

Next is the sculling draw. This can be a little more tricky to do but it is a more efficient stroke.

It uses the left to right and right to left movement of the paddle blade to pull the kayak sideways.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1

Step 2: Apply pressure to the blade and move the blade left to right and right to left. Keep the blade in the water as you do it.

Ensure the blade is a near vertical angle so you can pull on it and move the kayak towards the paddle.

As you move left to right, keep the paddle at the same distance away from the kayak.

This will maintain a good paddle action and help to give a smooth kayak movement.

Step 2 - Moving left

Step 2 - Moving right

Step 3: Lean slightly away from the paddle. This makes the stroke a little easier to do because it presents the curve of the hull towards the water. Don't lean too far!

Repeat as many strokes as needed to move your kayak to the desired positon.

And now a few shots of the stroke in action.

A single draw stroke being used to get closer to the side

And here's Chris using a draw stroke - actually called a hanging draw - to move his SUP.

Chris using a hanging draw while moving forward in the current

With both strokes, you may find that the kayak does not move sideways in parallel. Perhaps the bow or stern moves more and creates a movement at an angle.

No problem. Place the paddle in the water either slightly forward or backward of the middle of the kayak. As you pull on the paddle, it will correct any offset movement of the kayak.

Practice the strokes on both sides of your kayak and use obstacles to practice getting close to or even moving around using these strokes.

A super useful stroke and one you will use often.

Have fun and happy paddling.

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