Paddling Techniques & Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real ACA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Paddling Techniques & Skills flashcards as text
What is the primary difference between a low-angle and a high-angle forward stroke in kayaking?
Answer: Low-angle keeps the shaft nearly horizontal; high-angle keeps it nearly vertical
Low-angle paddling keeps the shaft nearly parallel to the water for efficiency over long distances, while high-angle paddling is more vertical for power and speed.
Which stroke allows a canoeist on the offside to move the bow toward the offside without switching hands?
Answer: Cross-bow draw
The cross-bow draw reaches the paddle across the hull to the offside and draws the bow toward that side without changing grip.
During a sculling draw, how does the blade move to generate continuous lateral force?
Answer: In a figure-eight pattern parallel to the boat
The blade oscillates in a figure-eight or back-and-forth motion parallel to the boat with a climbing angle, generating continuous draw force without removing the blade.
What is the main advantage of using a bent-shaft canoe paddle for forward strokes?
Answer: It keeps the blade more vertical during the power phase, reducing lift
The bend angles the blade to stay more perpendicular to the direction of travel during the power phase, maximizing forward propulsion and reducing unwanted lift forces.
Which ACA skill is being tested when an instructor asks a student to move their boat sideways without any forward or backward movement?
Answer: Side slip / lateral displacement
A side slip (lateral displacement) requires pure draw or pry strokes that move the hull directly sideways with no longitudinal movement.
A student performing a reverse stroke consistently turns the bow to the onside. What correction should the instructor recommend?
Answer: Start the reverse stroke farther from the hull with a slight sweep arc
Starting the reverse stroke slightly outboard and arcing it away from the hull counteracts the natural tendency to sweep the bow toward the paddle side.
When performing a forward stroke in a sea kayak, at what point should the stroke exit the water for maximum efficiency?
Answer: When the blade passes the paddler's knee or hip
Exiting the stroke at the hip maximizes the propulsive phase; continuing past the hip adds lifting force rather than forward drive.