Paddling technique

Back stroke

Also: stopping stroke, back stroke

The back stroke brakes the boat or moves it backwards. The blade goes in behind the hip and is pushed forward.

According to Wikibooks, the forward and sweep strokes can also be done in reverse, with the paddle held the same way. Braking backwards is often safer in a river than a hectic turning manoeuvre.

Sources and further reading

• Wikibooks: Kajak/Techniken (German)

Research as of 13 Nov 2026. We have marked manufacturer information as such.