Eskimo roll
From KayakWiki
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- This page discusses rolling a kayak as a means of righting oneself. For other uses of the term see Roll (disambiguation page).
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Usually just referred to as "rolling", this is one of the defining skills of what makes a kayak a kayak. It is the skill of being able to right a capsized kayak without leaving the boat. The alternative is a wet exit. While being able to roll is not a required skill for safe kayaking, it is the considered the quickest and safest method of self rescue. The term "Eskimo Roll" is used in honor of the Eskimo peoples who first developed kayaks and the skill of rolling.
There are many different ways to perform a roll. The basic maneuver requires the paddler shift their body weight while manipulating their paddle causing the kayak to rotate until it is back under the paddler. Although there are several different schools of rolling technique they follow the same general principle.
[edit] Styles of Rolling
[edit] Normal Paddle Rolls
[edit] Sweep rolls
- Screw roll - a common roll
- Reverse screw roll
- Reverse sweep roll
[edit] Brace rolls
- Back deck roll- Very Fast roll used by playboaters
- C-to-C roll - a roll used by many white water kayakers
- PFD roll
- Storm roll
[edit] Sculling roll
[edit] Extended Paddle Rolls
[edit] Greenland rolls
- Armpit roll
- Behind the back
- Elbow roll
- Cross arm roll
- Reverse sweep roll with paddle behind neck
- Roll with hunting float
- Rolling with paddle held in crook of elbow
- Rolling with the arms crossed
- Spine roll
- Standard Greenland roll (layback roll)
- Standard roll with paddle behind neck
- Storm roll
- Straight jacket roll
- Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
- Vertical sculling roll
[edit] Hand rolls
- Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft
- Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward
- Hand roll holding an eight kilogram brick or stone
- One hand roll
[edit] Paddle float rolls
[edit] Trick Rolls
[edit] General Rolling Advice and Philosophy
A "bomber roll" is not a particular style of roll, but rather a colloquial term for a fast, confident and/or effective roll. It is also referred to as a "combat roll" or "bomb-proof roll".
Top Tips:
- Be calm.
- Bring you body to the surface but not out of the water until the kayak is upright (or very nearly so).
- Use your hips to roll your boat under your body (quickly for brace rolls, more slowly for sweep rolls).
- Learn once in your imagination, once in a pool and then again on a cold, rough water.
See also:
- Michael Daly's excellent rolling cross-reference page
