SUP Skills: Unlocking the Sweep Stroke

episode 4 | watch episode 5 here

Hey, it’s Kimberly Kenyon here again with episode four of our Basic and Intermediate SUP Skills Series! In this session, we’ll delve into the sweep stroke—a fundamental technique for turning while maintaining forward momentum.

Let’s break it down step-by-step to ensure you get a clear grasp of this technique.

The sweep Stroke step-by-Step

Lower Your Center of Gravity

To begin with the sweep stroke, it’s crucial to lower your center of gravity. This means you can either kneel if you’re a beginner, bend your knees if you’re standing, or do a combination of both to stabilize your stance. A lower center of gravity provides better control and balance, which is essential for executing a smooth sweep.

Choke Up on the Paddle

Next up, you’ll want to choke up on the paddle. Move your shaft hand towards your T-grip handle to create a narrower grip on the paddle. This adjustment gives you increased leverage, making it easier to perform the stroke effectively.

Sweep the Water

The final step is to sweep the water. Start by placing your paddle blade at the nose of the board. Push the water out and away from the nose, then pull the blade back towards the tail. Think of this motion like the hand of a clock or drawing a sweeping "C" shape in the water. The key is to make the stroke smooth and continuous, which will help you achieve a more controlled and effective turn.

By integrating the sweep stroke into your paddling tool box, you’ll find that navigating different water conditions becomes much easier!

See You on the Water

Thanks for joining us on this step-by-step guide to mastering the sweep stroke in our SUP Skills Series. Keep practicing, and we look forward to seeing you on the water!

If you want to learn more and check out our educational content, you can catch us at AQ Outdoors on YouTube or subscribe to our newsletter at the form below.