mastering the bow draw in MOVING WATER

lesson 2 of 2 | watch first lesson

Welcome to the AQ Outdoors Whitewater Kayak Instructional Series. In this lesson, we’re taking the bow draw you’ve already worked on in flat water and applying it to moving water. This progression is all about layering simple, familiar skills to build confident, controlled maneuvers on the river.

If you haven’t already gone through our flat water bow draw progression, we strongly recommend starting there. This lesson will make much more sense once those movements are familiar.

Prerequisite Skills

To get the most out of this progression, you should be comfortable with the following:

A solid flat water bow draw
Controlled carving
Eddy turns
Ferry glides
Paddling confidently in Class II moving water

This session builds on those fundamentals rather than introducing anything brand new.

Choosing the Right Practice Spot

Location matters here. Look for a practice area with:

A clearly defined eddy line
Current that feels very comfortable for you
A relatively deep eddy with some room to move
Wide current for longer radius turns
An eddy long enough to leave, turn downstream, and re-enter for repetition
Minimal hazards, so mistakes stay low-consequence

The goal is to focus on feel and control, not survival paddling.

Understanding the Bow Draw in Moving Water

There are many ways to execute a bow draw. As instructors, we use this version as a foundation that leads into more technical bow-initiated turning strokes later on.

In moving water, the bow draw does not initiate the turn. Your boat angle and the current do that work for you. The bow draw’s job is to enhance and control the turning radius, whether that means a long, drawn-out carve or a tighter, more compact turn.

In this progression, we start by focusing only on leaving eddies. The same technique applies when entering eddies, but simplifying the task helps dial in timing and body position.

Step-by-Step: Leaving the Eddy with a Bow Draw

Start with controlled carving eddy turns. Make sure your boat is not being swept downstream uncontrollably. If it is, the bow draw won’t be effective.

Once that feels solid:

Repeat the controlled eddy turn.
As you cross the eddy line, rotate your body downstream.
Align your paddle with the downstream edge of the boat.

At this point, the boat should still be turning smoothly, even without a paddle stroke.

Now begin to introduce the draw:

Slice the blade forward from the back of the boat.
Slowly open the blade downstream and away from the kayak.
Move gradually so you can feel pressure build on the blade.

That pressure is your turning force. More pressure equals more turning power and more stability.

Key Technique Notes

Angle control is everything. The slicing portion of the stroke must begin in the current, not on the eddy line or inside the eddy.

This skill is built through repetition. Practice in the same spot until the movement feels smooth and predictable. Focus on the sensation of power building on the blade. No pressure usually means the stroke isn’t helping and may actually be creating problems.

Once comfortable, experiment with:

Opening the blade faster and slower
Longer and shorter turning radii
Maintaining control without spinning on the eddy line

A Simple Test for Timing and Power

Add in driving your upstream knee and foot toward the paddle blade, just like in the flat water progression.

Your goal is to turn the boat past downstream and back toward the eddy you exited, all in one bow draw stroke. If you can do this, your timing and power application are in a great place.

Common Mistakes We See

Some frequent issues paddlers run into include:

The boat spinning on the eddy line, which removes any benefit from the draw
Starting the stroke on the eddy line or in the eddy, preventing pressure from building
Using the back of the blade, leading to instability and loss of momentum
Opening the blade angle too quickly and shedding power
Failing to release pressure, causing the blade to collide with the bow

Each of these limits control and makes the stroke less effective.

What to Practice Next

Continue working on position, timing, and blade control. Practice a variety of turn shapes and radii. Once comfortable leaving eddies, apply the same ideas when entering them.

When entering an eddy, reverse the sequence and ensure the slicing portion of the stroke happens in the eddy, not in the current or on the eddy line.

There are many variations of this stroke, and we’ll cover more of them in future lessons.

The Big Picture

To summarize this progression:

Dial in the movement in flat water first
Choose an easy, low-consequence practice location
Maintain strong angle control when crossing the eddy line
Start the stroke in the current, not on the eddy line
Work toward controlling the boat through a full downstream turn and back toward the eddy

This moving water bow draw variation is a strong foundation for many river applications. It’s not the only way to teach or execute the stroke, but it’s one we’ve seen a lot of success with over the years.

If you have questions or want to share how this progression worked for you, don't hesitate to get in touch.