In the ideal paddle stroke, the paddle is immersed in the water as far forwards as possible. As you apply force to the paddle, you and the boat move past the paddle blade, which is ‘fixed’ in the water. the paddle doesn’t actually move backwards. The paddle is taken out of the water in the same place as it entered the water. It’s a bit like grabbing hold of a lamp post and pulling yourself past it – you move, the lamp post doesn’t. Your paddle is the lamp post, anchored in the water. If your paddle does move backwards, it is ‘slipping’ and the paddle stroke is less efficient i.e some of the power you put in isn’t being translated into forward movement of the boat.

Using a wing paddle is a big help, as is making sure you fully immerse the blade (up to the neck) before applying any force.

See picture below – the paddle is in the same position in the water when it’s immersed as when it’s comes out of the water.