When you’re out on the water, whether you’re tackling rapids or navigating choppy seas, having a solid repertoire of kayaking techniques is crucial.

One of the most important skills every kayaker should master is the high support stroke.

This powerful move can help you maintain balance, prevent capsizing, and boost your overall confidence on the water.

Today, we are going to learn more about it, including how it is carried out, tips to master, and mistakes to avoid.

Let’s dive in.

What is a High Support Stroke?

A high support stroke is a kayaking technique used to prevent your boat from tipping over when it’s leaning too far to one side.

It involves using your paddle and body positioning to create a quick, stabilizing force that rights your kayak.

When to Use a High Support Stroke?

The high support stroke is typically employed in situations where:

• You’re hit by a sudden wave or current from the side
• You lean too far while turning
• You need to quickly stabilize your kayak in rough water

Executing the Perfect High Support Stroke

Let’s break down the high support stroke technique into more detailed steps:

1. Starting Position

• Hold your paddle horizontally above the water, parallel to your kayak.
• Your knuckles should be facing up towards the sky.
• Keep your elbows bent at about a 90-degree angle.
• Ensure your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched up to your ears.

2. Anticipate and Tilt

• As you feel your kayak beginning to tip, prepare for the stroke.
• Lean slightly into the direction of the tip. This might feel counterintuitive, but it’s crucial for setting up an effective stroke.
• Keep your eyes focused on the horizon or the direction you want to go, not down at the water.

3. Slap and Slide

• Quickly and forcefully slap the back face of your paddle blade onto the water’s surface on the side you’re leaning towards.
• The slapping motion should be swift and decisive, creating a splash on impact.
• Immediately after contact, slide the paddle blade away from your kayak in a sweeping motion.
• This sliding motion should be parallel to the surface of the water, not pushing down into it.

4. Hip Snap

• As you perform the paddle motion, engage your core muscles.
• Use your hips to snap the kayak back to an upright position.
• This hip snap is the most crucial part of the high support stroke. It’s what actually rights your kayak.
• Think of it as trying to flick water off your hips towards the sky on the opposite side of your stroke.

5. Torso Rotation

• As you execute the stroke, rotate your torso towards the side you’re bracing on.
• This rotation provides power to your stroke and helps protect your shoulders from injury.
• Your chest should face the side of the kayak where you’re performing the stroke.

6. Recovery

• Once your kayak is stable, smoothly return to your normal paddling position.
• Bring your paddle back to the ready position, horizontal across the kayak.
• Take a moment to reset your balance and check your surroundings before continuing to paddle.

7. Follow-Through

• If needed, be prepared to perform a series of strokes in quick succession.
• In choppy conditions, you might need to do several high support stroke on alternating sides to maintain stability.
• Remember, the entire high support stroke motion should be one fluid movement, happening in just a second or two. With practice, it will become an instinctive reaction to instability.

Tips for an Effective High Support Stroke

• Practice the hip snap on land first. Sit in your kayak on solid ground and practice the snapping motion.
• Use a pool or calm, shallow water to practice the full technique before attempting it in more challenging conditions.
• Have a more experienced kayaker or instructor watch and critique your form.
• Always warm up your shoulders and practice your bracing technique before heading out on the water.
• Remember to keep your arms relatively straight and use your torso rotation for power to protect your shoulders from injury.

Things to Take Care of

Ensure not making the following mistakes.

• Using your arms instead of your torso for power
• Holding the paddle vertically instead of horizontally
• Pushing down on the water instead of slapping and sliding
• Forgetting to use your hips to snap the kayak upright

Winding Up

Like any kayaking skill, mastering the high support stroke takes time and practice.

Start in calm, shallow water and gradually progress to more challenging conditions. Remember, the goal is to develop muscle memory so you can react instinctively when needed.

By incorporating the high support stroke into your kayaking toolkit, you’ll be better prepared to handle unexpected situations on the water.

Not only will it improve your stability and safety, but it will also boost your confidence, allowing you to tackle more adventurous kayaking experiences.

Happy paddling, and stay safe out there!