ACA Paddling Techniques & Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which technique is used to move a canoe sideways toward a dock without changing its heading?
- Draw stroke (Correct answer)
- Pry stroke
- Sweep stroke
- J-stroke
Correct answer: Draw stroke
The draw stroke pulls the hull laterally toward the paddle blade, moving the canoe sideways while maintaining its heading.
Question 2: When performing a low brace, where should the paddle blade be relative to the water surface?
- Angled sharply downward into the water
- Nearly flat on the water surface with the non-power face down (Correct answer)
- Vertical in the water
- Angled upward above the water
Correct answer: Nearly flat on the water surface with the non-power face down
In a low brace, the back face of the blade rests nearly flat on the water, providing a platform to push against and prevent capsizing.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the C-stroke in solo canoe paddling?
- To accelerate the canoe quickly
- To maintain forward momentum while keeping the canoe tracking straight on the onside (Correct answer)
- To perform a sharp turn
- To brace against waves
Correct answer: To maintain forward momentum while keeping the canoe tracking straight on the onside
The C-stroke combines a draw at the catch with a forward stroke and ends with a pry, allowing a solo paddler to go straight without switching sides.
Question 4: In tandem canoe paddling, which paddler is primarily responsible for steering?
- Bow paddler
- Stern paddler (Correct answer)
- Both equally
- Neither — the canoe self-corrects
Correct answer: Stern paddler
The stern paddler controls direction because their paddle has the greatest leverage over the pivot point of the canoe.
Question 5: Which paddle stroke is most efficient for making a quick, sharp turn toward the paddle side in a kayak?
- Forward sweep (Correct answer)
- Reverse sweep
- Draw stroke
- Rudder stroke
Correct answer: Forward sweep
A forward sweep arcs from bow to stern on one side, rotating the kayak toward the paddling side in a single powerful motion.
Question 6: What adjustment should an instructor emphasize when a student's forward stroke causes consistent turning to the offside?
- Paddle closer to the hull with a more vertical shaft (Correct answer)
- Use a wider stroke farther from the hull
- Increase stroke rate
- Switch to a bent-shaft paddle
Correct answer: Paddle closer to the hull with a more vertical shaft
A vertical shaft with the blade close to the hull maximizes forward propulsion and minimizes the lateral force that causes the boat to turn.
Question 7: When edging a kayak to initiate a turn, which way should the boat be tilted to turn left?
- Edge left (tilt toward left)
- Edge right (tilt toward right) (Correct answer)
- Keep the boat flat
- Edge depends on current, not direction
Correct answer: Edge right (tilt toward right)
Edging right (lifting the left knee) carves the hull so the rocker turns the kayak to the left.
ACA Paddling Techniques & Skills 2
Which technique is used to move a canoe sideways toward a dock without changing its heading?