This draw stroke for turning is an advanced paddleboard skill. This stroke is, in many lessons and clinics, referred to as the draw stroke. Through other paddling disciplines this stroke is referred to as a bow draw, or a nose draw.
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This draw stroke is done to turn the board towards the paddling side. This stroke has a set of movements combined to complete the stroke effectively.
The benefit allows for quick turning adjustments and smooth transitions back into a forward stroke. This SUP skill is the essential turning stroke for paddling in and out of current.
Let’s break down this basic paddle stroke to help you get a better understanding. Let’s start with getting your paddle in your hand for better understanding.
- Shorten Grip distance
- Intro Wrist Exercise
- Torso Twist
- Arm Movement
- Planting the Blade
- Power
Advanced SUP Draw Stroke for Turning
Shorten Grip Distance
This exercise aids in the movement of opening the power face.
Grab your paddle by the T-grip and shaft in the “box position”.
Now shift your shaft hand a few inches up towards the T-grip.
Shortening the grip distance will lengthen the reach to plant the blade.
Intro Wrist Exercise
Hold the paddle horizontally out in front of you.
From a neutral position, rotate your knuckles on the shaft hand and your thumb on the T-grip hand up towards yourself. Note how the power face behind to face away from you.
Torso Twist
From a forward stroke “reach” position, rotate your torso and shoulders in the direction you will be turning. Looking where you are going is beneficial in navigating. It also helps to prevent over extending your shoulders and where you are going.
Arm Movement
Bring your top hand’s foreman towards your forehead (reference green arrow).
You should be looking under your forearm with a slightly bent elbow. Allow your lower arm to move backwards a bit. Rotate your wrists from neutral to backwards, this should start to open the power face to the nose of the board.
PRO TIP
You can adjust how much force is put on the power face of the blade by having it more open or closed. This degree of change in the blade will also determine how far you turn.
Planting the Blade
Plant the blade into the water with the powerface open facing towards to the oncoming water and the nose of the board. This is out slightly from the nose of the board at between 10:00 and 11:00 o'clock if the nose of the board is 12.
Power
The oncoming force is either produced from the forward momentum of the board or can be from the current of the river. The power face “catches” this force and begins to turn the board without any further effort from the paddler.
Pull the board towards the blade by rotating your torso back to a straight forward position.
PRO TIP
Transition to a forward stroke. This stroke can be transitioned to the forward stroke by rotating the blade in the water back around to the “plant” step of the forward stroke.
Paddleboard Draw Stroke Common mistakes
Wrong Blade Rotation
A paddler may try to rotate their wrist forward to open the blade, this will cause the backside of the blade to “catch” the water. The back side of the blade is built to shed water, and create less resistance than the powerface.
Adjusting Hand Grab
A paddler might adjust where they are grabbing or how they are grabbing the paddle in order to achieve an forward open powerface. This can leave the paddle more susceptible to injury and transitioning to other paddle strokes will now require them to undo what has been changed.
Advanced SUP Draw Stroke for Turning Conclusion
This turning stroke will probably feel awkward at first. Practicing the movements on dry land can help to build muscle memory in order to perform this stroke with ease and effectively. It could take a few tries to get this stroke mastered, so don’t get discouraged. Get out there and get after it to develop and grow your skills set.
“Dreams don’t work unless you do”
Kimberley Kenyon
Badfish Team Athlete
AQ Outdoors Whitewater SUP and Splitboard Ambassador
Advanced and River 1 SUP Instructor Paddle Canada
@borntoboard.ca
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