Kayak Rolling Instructions

There are actually hundreds of ways to roll a kayak. Most roll techniques were developed over many centuries by Inuit Eskimo hunters. The Inuit had to know how to quickly right a kayak in frigid arctic waters. For them, the kayak roll was a survival skill. To learn an effective variant of the kayak roll requires lots of practice. Observing an experienced kayaker performing the maneuver is one of the best ways to get the concept into your head.

  1. Entry

    • The so-called C to C roll is the simplest to explain. The first thing the kayaker needs to do as the boat flips over is to do the opposite of your instinct. Instead of leaning away from the roll, you have to lean into it and lay your double-bladed paddle along the hull parallel to the boat on the side toward the roll. As you enter the water tuck your body forward and close to the hull until you are fully upside down.

    The Flip

    • Once upside down, lean toward the side where you are going to flip up. Lift the forward paddle blade out of the water on that side and reach forward. From your perspective you will sweep the paddle backward and arc it over your head and across the width of the canoe traversing from right to left or left to right depending on which way you are rolling. This requires you to think upside down. The stroke will exert power in the opposite direction from what you're used to. Instead of pushing "down" toward your feet, push "upward" toward your head then sweep across and come down by your opposite side. It will feel like sweeping cobwebs off the ceiling--up, across and down from your perspective. A couple of practice rolls will teach you how to orient your paddle blade. One you've begun rolling up, the paddle acts as a brace. Press down as you roll the kayak up and turn the hull with your hips.

    Follow Through

    • Once the kayak is upright as far as you can get it with your hips, use the paddle blade on the side away from the rolling direction as a brace to support yourself as you straighten your body up to the vertical. Your head will follow through and roll up last. You may have to bring down the blade on the other side to stop the roll so you don't flip over again. Practice the maneuver over and over again till you can do it almost without thinking. A quick, clean kayak roll should be an automatic response when your boat goes over. Watch it being done, then practice, practice, practice.