Rolling for Whitewater Kayaking Session

  • Work in groups of 2-3, doing approx 5 minutes on, 5 off on rolling, repeat for approx 90 minutes.

Where

Cost

$30 per session.

Gear required

  • Boat: ensure you have taken time to outfit your boat properly. Points of contact include the back-band, hips, outer thighs (below the kneecap), and feet. You should be snug in the boat so your hips can efficiently transfer momentum to the boat without "slippage." We are able to answer questions about this ahead of time if you contact us.
  • Paddle / skirt / PFD.
  • Wetsuit / Drytop / Drysuit: as recommended based on water temperatures.
  • Footwear.
  • Swimwear.

Boats, paddles, skirts, and PFDs are available for borrowing on a first-come, first-serve basis (if the instructors have the means to transport them). There is currently no additional charge.

Optional Gear

  • Nose plug, especially so if your sinuses fill with water while capsized.
  • Diving mask or swimming goggles: these can be helpful to use for period of time, to spot the blade motion. Once you have the blade motion dialed in, it is best to practice without to better emulate your action on the river.
  • Helmet: you may choose to wear your helmet if you would like to perfectly mimic river conditions.
  • Water bottle and sunscreen: as required based on conditions.

Rolling progression

The rolling session encompasses rolling and more:

  • Our instructors aim to meet you are your present skill level. Some folks are brand new to rolling, others may be just looking to refine their roll. Learning to roll is an iterative processing involving trouble shooting and making incremental improvements over a series of sessions.
  • First steps include getting comfortable with being upside down! This includes having the instructor re-righting your boat via the "Hand of God" your boat, to avoid wasting time via swimming.
  • Once comfortable being capsized, we examine the basic mechanics of the hip flick.
  • We cover both the C2C and sweep rolls. It is likely that one of these two rolls will be what you rely on the river to begin with.
  • Advanced practice may include working on the backdeck roll and hand roll.

How long does it take to learn to roll?

It depends on your body, mind, and attitude!

  • Some people can execute a basic roll in a matter of minutes, but the reality is that building a reliable roll on moving water will take a number of practice sessions. For most individuals, several hours of instruction and practice are required.
  • It is important to remember that rolling skill development is not linear. Progress swiftly accomplished in one week can be equally swiftly lost the next week. Obtaining a reliable roll takes continual practice and commitment, both in the water and out.
  • Once you get a reliable roll on flatwater, expect another learning curve as you transition this into a "combat" roll in moving water.

Do I need to be physically strong?

"No" is the short answer here. While strength can help, it is not required and in many cases it becomes a crutch that impedes progression. Flexibility is more important to provide the requisite range of motion.

What about rolling other types of kayaks?

Our rolling focuses on whitewater boats only, and does not include techniques such as Greenland paddles, butterfly rolling, etc. Learning to roll a whitewater kayak will provide many transferable skills, that help with boat control, and rolling of other boats such as a sea kayaks.

Safety

Rolling in flatwater presents some mild and mitigable risks:

  • Both rolling and bracing present a potential injury risk. Improper execution can result in excess fatigue and strain on the shoulder girdle. We train students on the proper utilization of the "paddler's box", which protects against hyper extension to your shoulders.
  • Rolling mitigates the danger of being upside down in whitewater! We’ll look to maximize safe and effective ways to be upside down in your boat.

Our instructors

If you are interesting in assisting with rolling, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Can safely demo multiple quality rolls, including C-to-C, Sweep, Hand, and Back-deck rolls. Instructors must also be able to demo low and high bracing in a safe and effective manor.
  • Understands and demonstrates the key progression steps, building from hip-flicks, introducing the paddle, correction motions, and troubleshooting techniques.
  • Works patiently with the students and meets them at their present skill level.
  • Assists with modifying outfitting for optimal performance.