The half sweep stroke is a common compound stroke for small adjustments when paddling a canoe tandem. You start with the paddle wide and the blade perpendicular to the canoe. Then as you pull the stroke forward you also pull the blade in towards the canoe.  In its most exaggerated form it looks like a quarter circle motion. 

The half sweep combines a forward stroke and a draw stroke.  It is good for small adjustments while maintaining forward momentum.  It is also good if your paddling partner is overpowering you. 

The more traditional full sweep is only applicable if you are paddling a canoe from the middle and can make the front half happen on the bow side of the middle.  If you are paddling tandem you don't need a full sweep stroke.

canoeing

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