Paddling Techniques & Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real ACA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Paddling Techniques & Skills flashcards as text
What does 'edging' a canoe accomplish in moving water compared to leaning?
Answer: Edging tilts the hull while keeping the paddler's weight centered; leaning shifts the paddler's body mass
Edging tilts the hull using knee and hip pressure while the upper body stays balanced, whereas leaning moves the paddler's center of gravity, risking instability.
Which stroke combination is most effective for an emergency stop in a kayak?
Answer: Alternating reverse strokes on both sides
Rapid alternating reverse strokes on both sides apply maximum braking force along the kayak's length without inducing a turn.
In an ACA paddling curriculum, what is the 'catch' phase of a stroke?
Answer: The moment the blade first enters the water
The catch is the moment the blade enters the water — the goal is a clean, quiet entry that fully buries the blade before the power phase begins.
Why is the 'power face' of a paddle blade important for instructors to teach correctly?
Answer: It identifies which face should press against the water during forward strokes to generate propulsion
The power face is the concave or designated face of the blade that faces the paddler during a forward stroke, and applying force with the correct face maximizes efficiency.
A student's ferry crossing drifts downstream despite correct paddling. What should the instructor check first?
Answer: Ferry angle — it may be too shallow to overcome the current
If the ferry angle is too shallow, the upstream component of the paddle's force is insufficient to overcome the downstream push of the current.
What is the purpose of 'feathering' a kayak paddle?
Answer: To reduce wind resistance on the out-of-water blade
Feathering offsets the two blades at an angle so the resting blade slices through the air rather than catching wind during the recovery phase.
Which skill demonstrates a paddler's ability to use momentum and precise edging to turn a kayak without using paddle strokes?
Answer: Carve turn
A carve turn uses the hull's rocker and an edge to arc the kayak through a turn using speed and tilt, with no active paddle strokes required.