MARC ORNSTEIN
Full speed astern
Part 2
In part 1 of this series (
https :// paddlerezine . com / astern-part-1 ), we discussed the basic reverse stroke , reverse J and reverse sweep . In this article , we ’ ll explore the far back and compound reverse strokes . Both of these strokes are far more powerful than the standard reverse stroke and provide a greater opportunity to look where you are going than seeing where you ’ ve been . The downside is that done correctly ; both require extreme torso rotation , the ability to do clean , in-water recoveries and other intricate paddle manipulations .
Starting position for the Far Back and Compound Reverse strokes
LET ’ S BEGIN WITH THE FAR BACK The paddler rotates their body on the seat , approximately 45 degrees , toward the onside . Assuming a kneeling paddler , this requires the knees to be moved such that the onside knee is in the onside chine and the offside knee is between the centre of the boat and the onside chine . Some paddlers manage both knees in the onside chine . The paddler ’ s torso is likewise rotated as far as possible toward the onside . If done correctly , the shoulders should be nearly parallel to the keel line , and it should be possible to rotate one ’ s head to face the stern .
Reaching back as far as possible , the paddle is placed , blade fully or nearly submerged , grip hand out over the gunwale , shaft vertical , and blade perpendicular to the keel line . Placement is a couple of inches out from the gunwale allowing the stroke to be straightforward without following the curve of the canoe .