A roll can be one of the most reliable ways to recover from a capsize, but certainly the hardest to master. Most river kayakers use the roll frequently to play and run rapids, while sea kayakers may never need to learn it unless paddling in surf and extreme conditions. Regardless of the boat you paddle, a roll can be a fun challenge to learn and master. Working on your roll is also excellent practice for maintaining balance and boat control.
The objective of a roll is to get the boat right side up, so your body can follow. The key is doing this with very little support from the paddle.
Minimizing the paddle involvement in the roll depends on a good "hip snap,"
which is the torso
and knee motion that rights the boat. To roll, you'll need your torso working
independently of
your lower body. This motion has to be well refined before you do anything with
the paddle.
The best way to learn this is with an instructor helping you with the motion, in the warmth and comfort of a swimming pool. Your instructor will stand waist deep in the water, and support your head and torso at water level. Practice rotating the boat through the full range of motion.
With your torso suspended near the surface, only one knee does the work of righting the boat. Your other knee relaxes, barely even touching the deck. If you are hanging onto the boat with both knees, you defeat the hip action, and the entire motion will feel strained.
It is possible to practice rotating the boat through this motion by holding onto the side of the pool. But this is a far inferior to having a live instructor, because your instructor can force you to use the correct muscles by supporting your head and leaving your arms crossed across your chest. The problem is every student has the natural tendency to use their arms to help right the boat. This actually contradicts the motion that you are trying to learn. Instead, keep your torso weight floating near the surface and rotate the boat up with your hips, knees, and torso.
When you have demonstrated a smooth hip snap to your instructor, he will get you started with the paddle, and show you the specifics of how the paddle moves through the roll. Its helpful to have a swim mask and noseplugs for this part of the learning process.
You'll first learn how to get into the set-up position: this is a protected
forward tucked position,
with the paddle held on the water along one side the boat. From the set-up,
you'll flip, and wait
until your boat settles upside down.
Once you are upside down, you will learn to move the working blade in an arc near the surface. Keep the blade near the surface by leaving the tuck position, and rolling your torso and working blade out to the side.
As you start this motion, minimize the force on the blade and bring the boat up with your hip snap. Pulling down on the paddle and lifting your head to breath are the most common ailments of rolls and braces. You have to believe! If your head goes up for air, the boat stays upside down!
Finish your roll in a safe position! To avoid injury, keep the paddle shaft low and in front of your shoulders. Use smooth finesse rather than power.
Paddlers can be quite passionate about their own way of rolling, so don't let
different explanations
confuse you. Quality rolls have a lot in common. Rolling is a weird,
counterintuitive motion, so
don't worry if it takes a while to learn. The practice will help your balance!