Combined Strokes
Combining a sweep stroke with a bow rudder or stern rudder incorporates both paddle blades into a set of blended strokes. To turn to the right, do a sweep stroke with the left paddle blade and follow that immediately with a bow rudder on the right-hand side. The left sweep stroke concludes with the right paddle blade in a forward position ready to be placed in the water for a right bow rudder.
Paddle rudders are static techniques that maneuver the kayak by the proper placement and angle of the paddle blade, held static, without pulling it through the water. The bow rudder is placed well forward of your hips with the front side of the paddle facing forward. The front face of the paddle pushes against the oncoming water. The bow rudder on the right-hand side blends easily into a forward stroke on the same side making for a smooth and effective combination of left sweep, right bow rudder and right forward stroke.
A similar combination for the same right turn is to sweep on the left and place a stern rudder on the right-hand side. After the sweep is complete, this combination requires you to swing the right paddle blade aft to a position near the stern. The stern rudder on the right is followed by the next forward stroke on the left. The stern rudder is placed well aft of your hips with the front face of the paddle toward the kayak. The back face of the paddle pushes against the on-coming water.
The effectiveness of a rudder stroke depends on proper paddle placement, blade angle and good forward speed of the kayak. It’s important to keep in mind that a sweep stroke adds to forward momentum, while a rudder stroke reduces it.
In calm conditions, you could use a sweep with either a bow- or a stern-rudder stroke and achieve nearly equal results, but when turning the kayak in 15+ knots of breeze with moderate sea conditions, you need to choose the strokes that will work to your advantage. For the following examples, the wind is coming from the right-hand side of the kayak.