RELATED TOPICS: Coaching Index | Bow Rudder

STERN RUDDER

INTRODUCTION

The stern rudder is a steering stroke used to control the direction of the kayak. Stern Rudders are most commonly used when surfing allowing directional control of the boat. The stern rudder is assessed as part of the BCU 2 star award.

TECHNIQUE

Conventional boats use a rudder at the rear (stern) of the boat for direction control. When the rudder turns one way it deflects water causing a force to be exerted and this in turn induces a change in direction of the boat. In kayaking, the stern rudder is essentially mimicking this action. The stern rudder is only effective when the boat is on the move.

The basic stern rudder is achieved as follows (flat water):

  1. With significant forward momentum place the paddle parallel to one side of the boat in a horizontal position just above the water.
  2. Ensure that the trunk is rotated towards the paddle and keeps eyes looking at where you are going.
  3. With the rear blade vertical lower the paddle into the water so the rear blade is submerged.
  4. The forward blade remains above the surface of the water - the boat should continue moving in a straight line.
  5. Slowly ease/push the rear blade away from the boat still keeping the blade vertical.
  6. The boat should begin to turn.
  7. Pulling the rear blade back towards the stern will straighten the boat.

Remember to lead with your head, so keep looking forward as that is the direction the boat is travelling in.

To induce a turn in the opposite direction you can either switch the stern rudder to the opposite site of the boat or push the front arm even further across the deck of the boat and pull the rear blade in close to the stern (this can be tricky!).

FAULTS

There are a number of common faults with the stern rudder. The following table recommends a remedy for each identified fault.

ACTION CAUSE REMEDY
Boat turns unexpectedly. Boat edges to one side inducing a turn. Are you looking at the rear paddle? You need to be looking forward!
Paddle is not entering the water cleanly. Keep the rear blade vertical - Do not rush it!
A powerful forward sweep on the opposite side is inducing a turn before the stern rudder becomes effective. Ensure that the last forward paddle stroke you do is on the same side as the stern rudder
Capsize Paddler is leaning backwards and off centre placing the boat of balance. Paddler to keep weight within boat and not to lean back.
The rear blade is going under the boat and the paddler is pulling the blade to retrieve it pulling the boat over. Ensure the paddle shaft is parallel to the side of the boat in a horizontal position.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

The turn induced by the stern rudder can be made more effective by feathering the shaft of the paddle either 45 degrees clockwise or 45 degrees anticlockwise (depending on which way the turn is to be induced).

With the paddle in the neutral position (parallel to the boat travelling in a straight line), feather the paddle up to 45 degrees clockwise. The boat should start to turn. When used in conjunction with ruddering the induced turns are much more effective. The feathering technique is also very useful for causing the boat to turn to the side that the paddle is not on. For example, with the paddle on the right side of the boat, with a 45 degree anti-clockwise feather of the shaft the boat should start to turn to the left.

Forward paddling can be stroke linked into a stern rudder by converting the last forward stroke into a rudder. This is often useful on surf when you need to paddle forward to catch the wave the need to switch to a stern rudder for direction control.

If you capsize during a stern rudder the paddle is nearly in the correct position for a reverse screw roll. Why not use this to right yourself quickly.

COACHING POINTS

  • Is the shaft of the paddle parallel to the side of the boat?
  • Is the paddle shaft vertical or horizontal, horizontal is the optimum position.
  • Is the rear blade submerged?
  • Is the front arm across the deck of the boat?
  • What position is the rudder blade in (vertical or somewhere between horizontal and vertical?).

EXERCISE

Here is a little fun exercise that can be used to practice a good stern rudder technique.

  • Split the group into pairs.
  • Position each pair about 15 metres apart facing each other.
  • Set them off paddling towards each other.
  • When they are 5 metres apart they should start a stern rudder.
  • As the boats pass the paddlers should swap paddles.

It helps significantly at the start if paddlers communicate with each other which side they will pass each other and who shall hold their paddle slightly higher for the exchange.

REMARKS

Often an assessor will require the stern rudder to be demonstrated by moving the boat in a straight line using a stern rudder to one side. Make sure you practice the stern rudder on both sides.