How to Roll a Kayak
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- Have you ever wanted to know how to roll a kayak? In this video, I will break down the components of a kayak roll (Eskimo roll) as well as show different types of rolls such as the C to C roll, the Sweep Roll, a Hybrid roll, and the Back Deck Roll. I will also show some of the common shortfalls when trying to roll. Get a clear picture of the mechanics involved from underwater viewpoints. Come learn how to roll with this kayak instruction video!
“The best way to think about this is not placing your body back on top of your kayak but rather placing your kayak back under your body”… That’s the best concept ever. Priceless!! 💪🏻
Thanks Kevin!
I LOOOVE the underwater antics in this video.
LOL! Thanks David!!!
This is by far THE BEST tutorial I've come across. Many thanks for not only explaining the rolls, but the mechanics and concepts behind them. You're a good teacher. I appreciate your time here. This instills more confidence in me for perfecting my rolls.
Thanks MOT! I only wish there were vids around when I taught myself so many years back. I'm sure you will get it bombproof soon! Thanks for watching!
I've had 3 pool sessions thus far. Last night I finally accomplished the roll, but lost it after a few rolls. After watching this, and the slow motion parts a couple of times, I hope that I'm able to remedy my problems. It's all a matter of muscle memory.
You got it. I literally don't even think about any of it anymore. I would roll for hours in my pond all summer. Most people are much better kayakers than rollers. I was a better roller than a kayaker for a long time. That allowed me to do rivers and rapids above my pay grade as I just would not come out of the boat. If you can get there, it will do more for your kayaking than anything else! But - I do remember the struggle to get there though!! Dont give up as it will all be totally worth it in the long run. It will all come together and you will never look back. Keep me posted!
Thx again. Tuesday night pool session I nailed every one except for when I got to close to the lane ropes. I was even standing, teaching a couple of people based off of your principles. I enjoy teaching in general, so it comez easy, especially when I have a, solid foundation to work with. Many thanks again
@@mot503 congrats and outstanding! You are very welcome! I also love to teach. The reason I make the videos! Thanks!
Thanks largely to this video, I got my first roll a week ago. I still swam more than I rolled, but after getting the first one and then a few more that day, I knew I was able to. Yesterday I watched this video again right before getting in the water, and I was consistently rolling. Even when I missed my setup or lifted my head,, I stayed calm, repositioned myself into my setup position, and rolled back up. I haven't been able to roll successfully coming up on my off side, and haven't been able to get the back deck roll, but every time I was unsuccessful in those attempts, I set up to come up on my right side and did not swim.
Thanks Pete for making such a great resource for those of us learning to roll!
That is what it is all about Wayne!! So stoked to hear that it helped!!
@@RiverKingsKayak I just wanted to give an update. This past weekend I went with a friend to a section of class 2 rapids that's popular for training up here in New Hampshire. When practicing at the bottom of the rapids, I failed to edge when crossing an eddy line and immediately found myself under water (you're absolutely right in your other videos where you say the river gives instant feedback to let you know you did something wrong 😂). I missed my first roll attempt (because I lifted my head), but set up again and was successful. This was my first "combat roll."
I wish I could say I was successful in every roll that day, but later when I hit a rock and flipped in the middle of a strong class 2 section, I again missed my first attempt, found myself struggling to get into the setup position, and after the third boulder scraped across my back and felt one hit my helmet I realized that being upside down in that section of river was not a good idea, and I pulled the skirt and swam, my first swim in rapids. It was an interesting experience for sure, but I just kept my feet up at the surface and was able to swim out. I didn't let the experience overwhelm me and psych me out though. Before getting back in the rapids I took a few seconds and did three rolls to get the swim out of my head. This was my first class 2 river. All in all I had a lot of fun, and learned a lot from the experience, what to do, what not to do, and what I need to improve upon for next time. And there will absolutely be a next time.
I signed up for a rolling class that a local shop (Outdoors New England) is running. I will most likely take the class more than once, because practice is paramount. Once I'm solid in my rolls, I'll practice in currents at a whitewater park that they built. THEN I'll be ready to take the trip back up to that section of river, because before this summer is through, I WILL make it down without a swim!
Thanks again Pete. I owe my first combat roll to you! 🙂🙃😀
I used to be able to roll, well, i did it once to get my old 3 star award back in the early 90's, i tried it about 8 times last year and failed, i tried it twice this year and failed, i always forgot to do the hip snap, every blooming time. I have watched many different rolling videos and more than once of many of those but this one more than others, anyhoo, i did an assessment yesterday to see if i can start the "Intro to WW" course at Lee Valley over here in the UK, they wanted a wet exit and get myself and boat back to the bank, so i asked if i could try the roll seen as i would gonnat get wet anyway, and i only gone and done a blooming sweep roll, and i didn't have to do the rescue after than so bonus :D so thank you for this video and your easy to follow advice :)
Right on Bashy! That is what it is all about!
I was the guy that got freaked out trying last night in the pool. I like the snorkel mask and no life jacket idea. I went in like I would on the river. I got all disoriented when upside-down and panicked. I might try again tonight after watching this. Thanks Pete.
We were all there once PA!! Hang in there! It will come!
Man, thanks for this!
I'm new to WW Kayaking, and no one's really offering roll classes near me (guess pools are still closed to kayaks post pandemic). So backyard pool and TH-cam became my DIY class.
Watched a couple other vids first, and did start rolling. But it was the C2C, and I was only successful half the time and it always felt rough. I then found this video, and am now rolling much more consistently and it feels way more fluid.
One thing I did do differently was, I first followed your instruction with a pool float taped to my paddle. This allowed me to practice the motions without getting too distracted mentally. After getting the feeling, I took the float off and was able to roll second try - and now have a 90%+ success rate!
Thanks again man! Super helpful!
That is what it is all about mroberts!! congrats and thanks for the encouragement!
wow!! thanks for the slow mo breakdown and camera views underwater. You held the clinic on this one!!
Thanks Christopher! Hope it helps!!
Best tutorial I have seen by far!!! The eye on the paddle and right shoulder to the back deck is an awesome description that gave me that, "Oh crap, now I know what I have been doing wrong" moment.
thanks SD! hopefully it will help you nail that roll down!! keep me posted!!
@@RiverKingsKayak I took one rolling class session back in February and did not complete a roll without assistance. But just bought Zen 3 the other day and went out for first time and could not get a roll done. Was focused on C to C because that is what they taught us in that one session. Watched your video and went out a couple days later and rolled it five times!!!! Three in a row at end!! Thanks man!
@@spriggdude6195 thats what Im talking about!!
Great video! Yesterday morning I had no roll and had never tried or taken a class, but I have lots of paddling experience. I studied your video and one website with some helpful hipsnap practices. I went to the lake for an hour with my sea kayak and my two 15 year old daughters to rescue me or at least witness my nomination for a Darwin award. After an hour I had a consistent 1st try everytime roll that severely lacks in form and finesse. Great info here! Thanks for saving me the $80 for the class I was going to take!
That is awesome!! Now we can dial that thing in for an every time combat roll! Congrats!
@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks! I grabbed the sea kayak to learn in, I think next time I will bring the ww kayak. Just wondering..... are you able to roll a fully loaded sea kayak when you do overnight trips?
@@jeremiahdickson569 yes sir. No problem. The sea kayaks roll easier than we boats
I'm going to watch this video every night until I get a roll. I plan on practicing on the river in an eddy as all the pools are closed.
Keep grinding Mirko! It will come!
@@RiverKingsKayak I will! Thank you! I push myself on our beautiful Oregon rivers and swim almost every weekend because of this. Hats off to my kayaking friends who put up with me:-)
Thanks to your video, I understood the technique of performing Eskimo under water. In the beginning you are panicked, but you are repeating too to relax. Thanks and regards. 🙂
Right on Adriana! keep after it!
Cheers! I went to a roll course last weekend, and repetitively made all the mistakes u mention in ur excellent tutorial. Being 70+ old I reckoned my body just wont receive and adapt to the new muscle activity and posture conception needed. But now after seeing ur video I can see myself going for another attempt. Thx.
Thats what Im talking about!!! Keep grinding!
I can’t possibly explain how useful the slow motion and under water shots are in this video. I got my first two rolls recently in flat water, back to back attempts. Super exciting for me anyway. Then I couldn’t repeat it. Lol. I kept having my paddle dive on all future attempts. But the successful ones were so smooth it felt effortless. Now I can at least recognize immediately if it’s not working and can reset for another attempt quickly before resorting to a T rescue. I think this video has helped me identify what might be wrong with my sweep.
Edit: next trip out was able to get 8 more rolls. And maybe more importantly on several attempts I didn’t get up the first time and was able to get back to the home position for a second attempt and get up. I had a friend film a few of them and found it to be indispensable information as the video clearly shows my faults on my fails (turns out lifting my head is the bigger issue now and is glaringly obvious with the video).
That is what it is all about Chris!! Thanks for the encouragement and congratulations!
Great video. Very great instructions. I watched this video and went to the pool with my new kayak and managed to get the roll in about an hours time.
My take for guys who see this video and maybe this comment is to focus on "pushing" the paddle away from the boat and also to focus on leaning back leaning back when you do the hip snatch. Once you have the motion it is easy.
Right on Rudolph! Thanks!
August 7th 2021 and this is the best tutorial about kayaking roll that I have ever seen, master class
Thanks a ton Pablo!!
One of the best tutorials I’ve seen so far!
Thanks a lot!!!!
Thanks a ton Stefan!
As mentioned by many others this is an excellent tutorial. I have been teaching whitewater kayaking since the eighties and I remember very clearly how difficult I found learning to roll. That is until I saw a good demo of a C2C and that was nothing compared to your demos and explanations. Very well done video indeed.
Thanks a ton CDS! I just tried to make a video that I would have wanted to see when I was learning (before the TH-cam craze)...glad it is helping!
Very clear and concise, excellent visual demonstration. I've watched several videos and was feeling overwhelmed, but now I'm ready to try this on the water. Thanks!
Connie Back thanks! I hope it helps you conquer the roll! It can be frustrating at first. I wish I had a video to watch way back when I was learning! Lol. Let me know how it goes.
I’ve literally seen so many freaking tutorials and out of all of them this makes the most sense to me. Also just got a GoPro so I can check my position under water. Thanks 🍻
Thanks Heather! Hopefully this will help you land your roll!
That was my thought exactly as I was watching this.
C to C roll is more interesting for (narrower) seakayaks, I think.
Very good tutorial !
Thanks!!!
I'm a Open Canoest
tried Kayak 1st time last week.. 10 seconds in on..
I'm like , im getting a Kayak too.
brilliant demo
gonna try it tonight's 2nd session..
Right on Graham! Thanks!
Just before the start of the roll (assuming right side roll), tighten your left leg, pulling on the left knee brace (this pulls your body into a "C", then execute the right side roll. Yep, keep that head on your right shoulder as you go froma left C to your right C.
great video I liked the underwater gesture very funny and informative. wow 3:20 thanks for probably the best advice ill ever get about rolls
Right on Chip!
After much deliberation, I decided to get a hardshell! So ill sometimes be NYCK! It is a wavesport ACE 5.1, very carvy, at least on the flatwater tidal rivers of Long Island. After seeing your vidya a few weeks/months back about how the best swiftwater rescue technique (for a hardshell) is a roll, i decided no river trips until i have a bomb proof roll. Ill be racking up some views on this vidya, super glad to have this at my disposal. Thank you
Right on NYC PK!!
THANK YOU FOR THIS - you are a good teacher
You bet! Thanks!
love this channel, great information
Thanks Chris!
Best video to learn the roll- ever! thanks
Thanks Alexander!
Very informative, great job
Thanks HVC!
I liked the video , great roll information here, well explained and demonstrated
Thanks Pop!
I went to the river today and tried rolling for the first time. I discovered I'm very good at swimming my boat to shore 😂 I wish I had seen this video first. I have a ways to go.
Right on Wayne! Keep at it!
I need to learn to roll. The hip flick is the bit that worries me. Not much movement in the lower torso. Great video.
Thanks gadget man!
Great video!!!!
Thanks Isaac!
Excellent tutorial thanks
Thanks John!!
Really good tutorial mate! Fun, light, repetetive and clear from different angles! Will use this to visualise before my first eskimo roll course. See you one the river one day - maybe the Soča River :) /Johannes
Thanks M M! Would love that!!!
Well this was amazing !! Thanks!!
Thanks Todd!
The funnest part of kayaking is the roll in my opinion.
There is definitely a joy of resurfacing that never gets old!
@@RiverKingsKayak Had an awesome day today kayaking on the upper Colorado River in Colorado. Only issue was we had a stretch with a headwind which of course was not mentioned in the weather reports. Added to the exercise 😊
Great information here.
Thanks AWAC
Awesomely put together video. Thank you
Thanks!
River Kings. Do you recommend wearing a pdf to just start learning to roll or wait?
@@whywouldntwe3 mind as well...no real difference in performance
Good video, might try to practice this in a friends pool
Right on Aaron!
Great, great video! Excellent explanation! Thank you !! Greetings from Argentina . I subscribe to your channel!
Thank you pablo!
AWESOME
My snorkel mask will be here on Friday, 12/4/2020. Time to start roll practice on the river.
Right on!
One can also do a "sweep" roll with very little hip snap, if you have limited hip flexibility. This requires concentration on keeping the sweeping paddle near the surface. I do not find it hard to do, but it is not for anyone with shoulder problems.
Yes, in fact, 2/3 of this video is dedicated to a sweep roll...
@@RiverKingsKayak Thanks for mentioning that. Attention deficit and limited flexibility go hand-in-hand in my case.
Well whatdya know...River Kings has a "how to roll" video. I'm trying to get out to the lake after work this weekend to get some practice in. I'm putting together a video of me learning but got mostly cringe worthy footage. Haven't had a successful roll since the first time I practiced a few weeks ago. I like what you said "It's about placing your kayak back underneath your body." Taking some notes and then headed back out.
Right on Austin! Hope the vid helps!
Good video instruction. I'm learning now - hope I get it.
Thanks. Be patient with it. Sometimes it takes a little bit to master. If you stick at it, it will suddenly all come together.
I did it! Sweep with the back lean! Thinking of what you said while I was upside down about getting the boat under me and not me over the boat really helped! Hip snap, sweep, keep head down and boom up I came! Still a bit ugly and not 100% , but I'm on my way! Thanks for the insight - funny too! .
Right on!! Just stay on it and before you know it, it will be bombproof. Congrats! The first roll is a monumental achievement in the kayaking world. I'm glad the video helped!
Thanks a lot !!!
Thanks maximilien!
I just started rolling this year and love going back to your video to correct some of my earlier errors and also to help other people. Great video. I'm a sea kayaker so mostly the same but I would struggle in your pool at times sideways :-) What kayak are you using there?
Thanks CM! That was a Wavesport Project 56
Best tutorial ever, many thanks 🙏
Thank you! Hope it helps!
Good video
Thanks Bo!
Thanks, that will help...
Thanks wolf! Keep me posted!
@@RiverKingsKayak thanks! Last friday I had a success of 100 % on the left side by sweeping.😊
i like this video its very clear i stated to learn to roll in the begining of march this year so you can guess how its going is it as easy to roll a big boat as the play boat your in i have a large pyrahna machno
Thanks Paul! Should be no issues on the machno! sometimes the playboats are harder...
Very well explained !! I did like the video, haha.
Thanks PO!
Legend
Thanks for the kind word and the vote of confidence parsoniareigns! Though, I wouldn't consider myself as such...
Awesome video. Couple questions about the back deck roll. Is it limited more to short play boats or can it be done just as easily in a longer touring boat as well? Looks like the front of a longer boat could catch your blade as you finish. Also, is it possible to do with a heavily feathered paddle or does it need a neutral feather? I paddle with a 60 degree feather, and I can't help but think that would cause uneven pressure when you start the actual roll from the back deck. What do you think?
The back deck roll can be done on any boat that can be skirted. The weight of the boat has more to do with things than the length on this one. While the short boats are a tad easier on this one, there should be no issues with a long boat. I have back deck rolled a 17' sea kayak before with no issues. Secondly, the heavy feather will actually provide more lift. The trick is to lay the paddle on the water splitting the angle between the two blades equally. A neutral paddle will provide much less lift but makes the off hand back deck much more possible.
Ok thanks
Great video but totally off topic question Pete, how did you like that wavesport project x?
It was a great boat, but I like my rockstar better.
Cheers man! That's awesome! Wish you'd have gone through the back deck on both sides... left back deck sinks one of the blades right?
It is def harder that direction! I left it out as most folks needing a roll video aren't ready for that one yet! LOL. But I guess, now I need to cover that! Thanks Rafael!
@@RiverKingsKayak I'm not ready for that one yet, but I have been looking at it and thinking about it for sure... Thanks for the reply!
Thx for pro videoclip
Thanks Krystian!
oh my god! Im so swimming
the wonderingelectrician ha ha ha!!
Should I practice with my skirt on until I get it down?
I have a 15ft and dont use the skirt when out on water.
Figured I should practice without since that’s how I paddle, but with very limited success I’m now imagine that probably wasn’t the right decision
Thanks for any feedback
Best question yet! Yes! I can roll a kayak without a skirt, but it is much harder and the bailing process between attempts would be very time consuming! Generally speaking, if you are not wearing a skirt, you are basically surrendering the ability to roll. I would def wear the skirt. Sometimes when I get hot, I forego the skirt as well while touring, but if any bigger water is in the near future, I always skirt up. Thanks 2dthoughts!
River Kings Thanks a bunch
Hopefully in the next Couple weeks it will warm up enough here to get out in the pool a practice
Definitely a skill I want to have to especially those days with heavy chop on the lake
👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
ok-- first of all, thanks for this video and I will be trying to learn how to roll. I paddle a 11' and mostly a 14' boat and as of now I have a cheap nylon spray skirt. I am looking at purchasing a new one that is better quality. I am considering also getting a neoprene spray skirt. My stupid question ( I know the "there are no stupid questions but I feel like it is) - can you effectively roll in a nylon type skirt?
Thanks Hans! the answer is yes...I do that all the time in the Yukon with my nylon skirt. It will let a bit more water in, but one can still roll no problem! ...that is, as long as the skirt fits pretty snug and doesnt implode...only one way to find out! LOL
@@RiverKingsKayak do you use the seals sneak zippered spray skirt ?
@@HanzgohFilms on my touring boat yes...
@@RiverKingsKayak perfect. So you’d recommend it for my Carolina ? So I can start working on roll
@@HanzgohFilms for sure! As long as it stays on, it will do just fine!
Just rememeber elbows in !!! , So elbow in tight to your body (looking at your elbow) and elbow in close to your body as you sweep down right whilst looking down to the elbow,. This gives you a bulletproof roll. You can practice this out of the boat with the paddle 1st. Simple Once I tucked my elbows in tight I rolled straight away every time!!! Good luck
elbows in is a good rule to follow now matter what you are doing in kayaking...
So with your Sweep roll your paddle blade seems to dive down a bit putting water tension on it. I do this as well.
Another rolling video I watched says you don’t want any resistance on the blade when sweeping, but I find that very hard to do. Essentially the video was saying to keep the blade on the surface as you sweep.
Your thoughts?
Yes. On all counts. I do normally a hybrid sweep C2C type of roll. With a true sweep roll you basically skull your blade across the top of the water the entire way to the back deck of kayak. For me it leaves my face a little too exposed for whitewater environments. So I have modified and found my own personal style with some sort of hybrid thing. I have practice every role known to man over the years and it's important to master each one because you never know which one might be the best one. However, most people generally stick with one style of role for 90% of everything they do. It's a matter of finding something that works for you, that feels good and that you're confident with. Perhaps I should do a video really explaining all the different kinds of roles I can think of. Hope this helps!
River Kings Definitely! Thanks for the response. My roll is great. My mental game not so much. I really have to learn to hang in there.
Something touches my head - I pull
Feel the boat going up and down - I pull
You are not alone. Often that mental game is the hardest part to get. Just try to slow it all down. I have channel dredged class 4 and 5s on occasion where you are just getting trashed by rocks and pounding current. However, swimming almost always makes things much worse. You just gotta hang in there and wait for that moment. It will come.
can U do a Greenland rolling with that kay ?
mba2ceo yes, definitely.
I have a Perception Acadia 12.5 with a spray skirt. What is the likelihood of being able to roll it?
Ifvyou can lock your knees under the deck, you can roll it
@@RiverKingsKayak I can lock my knees, but rolling it may be interesting. lol We just got our pool opened. I may have to give this a try......Famous last words!
@@KentuckyWoodsman be sure to film it all!
I have a liquidlogic remix and only land 50% of my rolls probably... is it easier to roll a playboat?
I dont think so. The longer smoother boats are generally easier. Most ww boats are negligably different though...just keep pounding, it will come.
I have a remix and learned to roll in it - I love it. This is a great tutorial - do just like he says and remember - when you're under - visualize your boat going under you, keep head down and sweep - boom!
Hey dude I am the guy you saw at the beach today
Good deal! Looking forward to tomorrow
What is a skrt tab
Hey Sam, it is the loop you pull to release the neoprene skirt from the kayak when you want to exit the boat.
@@RiverKingsKayak ok I’m a beginner so I didn’t know but thank you for telling me
@@user-qh8nb9zl7q You bet!
fine :( here is my man card ... I would die trying :)
Is it safe for me to practice rolling alone? I've done enough wet exits to feel comfortable with them. I've had 1 roll clinic and am close to putting it all together. I'll be able to attend roll clinics until I get it, but they are only once a week. I'd like to at work on it some more during the week.
Marco Esquandolas i would always say never kayak alone just in case something goes wrong
Be safe!
The sweep roll consists of simultaneously executing an upside down high brace sweep together with an ever increasing pressure on the hip-snap. If you go to the link I have supplied here you will see Buck Johnson perform the most relaxed and elegant sweep roll ever-truly the gold standard! Note as he sways out away from the capsized kayak how he immediately flexes his inside elbow and keeps his inside wrist against his torso throughout the entirety of the roll to achieve an upside down high brace sweep as his righting hip applies increasing pressure. Keeping the inside wrist against the torso for the whole roll prevents "punching" of the inside wrist at the conclusion of the roll. "Punching" of the inside wrist near the end of the roll diminishes the stability and support of the outer blade on the water. It is worth noting Buck's forward sweeping high brace scull after righting the kayak thus providing him with extra stability. th-cam.com/video/xfaRhZkazpU/w-d-xo.html
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REPLY
I really really don't believe in facing the bottom of the river after a flip.
A lot of pros use that roll almost exclusively. You can protect your face with your right arm as you do it. Also it is by far the fastest roll so exposure is reduced in that regard. That being said, It does expose your face much more than the standard tuck.
Love it. Can’t do the roll yet but i understand that it’s all about yanking the kayak under my ass👍🍺ok?
Right on!
i dont want to be a swimmer! back for more practice.
Dont give up!!
I understand your downside point about the C to C role however you failed to demonstrate a successful one, im sure you can role however you took the choice away from the student simple demonizing the C to C in order to promote the Sweep while not explain any downside to the sweep role, such as it takes more paddle awareness, it takes more rotational core strength and can also put more pressure on your lead shoulder. Dont dismiss the C to C if it works for you
Good points corpsman. I have never liked it and most of those I teach find it awkward. But you are right, I should have done one for the viewer to see and whatever gets you upright is good!
I just use my hands
I'm sure...