Inflatable Kayak Blog

Just like the rudder of a ship controls the direction of the ship, the stern rudder stroke allows you to guide your kayak through obstacles as an aid to controlling the kayak downwind with the ruddering incorporated into the forward paddle cycle. To rudder, turn back with the paddle parallel to the boat. The blade is buried and vertical at the rear of the kayak. Your bottom arm is extended but not straight. Push the blade away from the stern to turn towards the paddle side or pull it towards the stern to turn the other way. While kayaking with my sister in our Sea Eagle 330, I found this stroke to be quite effective in keeping the boat on course while the two of us were paddling without interrupting her paddle stroke.