Brace

From Wikipaddle

Low brace support stroke

• -Make sure your knees are braced.
• -Keep the paddle horizontal about half a metre above the water, with the back of the blade facing upwards.
• -Over-balance the kayak then drive the blade downwards to slap the water.
• -The slap support stabilises the kayak, and you should regain balance by flicking your hips to bring the boat level.

High brace support stroke

The low brace support stroke is not suitable in some contexts, such as in white water or surf conditions. Here, the low position of the blade would mean the paddle was underwater, so the shaft of the paddle must be raised to a higher position to allow recovery and prevent capsize.

• Hold the paddle at chest height, with the elbows below the shaft, as though you were hanging from it.
• As you overbalance, the blade will hit the surface of the water. Drive the boat back up, using the paddle as a support.