By Marc Ornstein

Marc Ornstein

Full speed astern Part 3

In part 1 of this series (https://paddlerezine.com/astern-part-1), we discussed the basic reverse stroke, reverse J and reverse sweep. In part two of this article (https://paddlerezine.com/full-speed-astern-part-2), we explored the far back and compound reverse strokes. In this part three, we’ll explore my favourite method of travelling backwards, cross reverse.

When I first mention cross reverse, most folks react by rolling their eyes, shaking their heads or with some similarly dismissive gesture. They picture themselves in some contorted position, more akin to a circus sideshow than a relaxing paddle. They assume this is some sort of show-off move, best left to FreeStyle exhibition or competition. I assure you that it is none of that. It is the best way to travel in reverse, especially if you have to travel any significant distance. In cross reverse, it is easier to control your direction than in any other method of travelling backwards. It is also a very powerful position and especially useful if you have to back up upstream.

The key to cross reverse is getting your body into the proper position, either cross-transverse or cross-semi-transverse. Radically moving around in the canoe is an entire topic unto itself. We often offer an entire class dedicated to that subject at our canoe symposiums, but since it is a necessary component to this article, I’ll cover the basics.

Picture being transverse in the canoe as sideways, kneeling with both knees in one chine, your belly facing the on-side gunwale and your back facing the offside. Cross-transverse places you with both knees in one chine with your belly facing the offside gunwale and your back facing the on-side gunwale. You get there from your standard kneeling position in baby steps.

Assuming that you have been paddling from a kneeling position, your first move is to pull your on-side foot out from under the seat so that foot is now resting flat on the bottom of the canoe in front of the seat with the knee now up. Your offside leg remains kneeling.

You now come up on your offside knee while lifting your butt off the seat.

The next step is to pivot toward your offside and drop your on-side knee into the offside chine, a foot or so forward of the seat (as seen in the main photo at the top of the page).

Finally, slide your offside foot and leg around so that your calf is parallel to the front seat rail (below).

You should now be positioned with your belly facing the offside gunwale. The soles of both feet, along with your back, are facing the on-side gunwale. Your toes will be curled under (below).

Semi-transverse

Semi-transverse is a bit easier, and most of the time, it is my preferred position. Assuming that you have been paddling from a kneeling position, your first move is to pull your on-side foot out from under the seat so that your foot is now resting flat on the bottom of the canoe, in front of the seat. Your offside leg remains kneeling.

You now come up on your offside knee while pivoting your butt, on the seat approximately 45 degrees toward the offside. You are now sitting with your butt partly on the seat, partly hanging off the front. The toes of your offside foot will be curled under. The toes of your on-side foot may be curled under or not as comfortable.

Simultaneously you pivot your on-side leg/knee toward your offside and drop your on-side knee into the offside chine. You may reposition your offside leg/foot (still kneeling beneath the seat) a bit for comfort and stability.

You should now be kneeling while facing approximately 45 degrees toward the offside. Before beginning to paddle, you’ll rotate your torso another 45+- degrees so that your shoulders are approximately parallel to the offside gunwale.

cross-transverse or cross-semi-transverse

Moving back to a forward paddling position is essentially the opposite of what we just did. Remember to break it down into baby steps. Practice getting into and back out of either the cross-transverse or cross-semi-transverse positions until you are comfortable with them.

You must be able to do this reliably before you are ready to paddle in cross-reverse. Once you are comfortable getting into and out of the cross-transverse or cross-semi-transverse position, it’s time to address paddling in cross-reverse.

cross-semi-transverse

For purposes of this discussion, we’ll work from the cross-semi-transverse position. The only real difference between the two is that paddling from cross-semi-transverse requires a bit more torso rotation.

Once in cross-semi-transverse, reach back toward the canoe’s stern as far as possible. Place the paddle at the catch position, fully submerged, grip hand out over the gunwale, shaft vertical, and blade perpendicular to the keel line. The thumb of the grip hand will be pointed outward from the hull. Be sure that the blade is far enough outboard of the gunwale so that it may be drawn straight forward (toward the bow) without following the curvature of the hull. This is a short-stroke, ending when the blade reaches your hip.

If using an in-water recovery (most commonly), at the end of the stroke, the grip hand is rotated 90 degrees so that the thumb points straight forward (toward the bow) and the blade is sliced back to the placement/catch position for the next stroke. If using a traditional, out of water recovery, when the blade reaches your hip, it is sliced out of the water, feathered, and returned to the placement/catch position. With the exception that you are in a cross-semi-transverse position and that your torso is heavily rotated, this feels (and is) very much like a forward stroke.

The video links here will show this transition:

Getting into Cross Reverse