Eskimo Roll: Kayak Self-Rescue

A sea kayak self-rescue video from Water Walker Sea Kayak, LLC

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• sea
• kayak
• kayaking
• paddling
• rescue

[WillForsberg]

Nice snappy roll but I strain my shoulder when I do a C to C like that. You can see where he's muscling it up at 21 seconds and 32 seconds. If you do it wrong at that point you can pop your shoulder right out of joint...ouch! I think a sweep roll is easier on the body cause you never have to push down on the paddle.

Also, why use the paddle float to empty your boat? Just do the bow lift and flip with a little frog kick and it will mostly empty.

[touringkayaks]

I would argue that the C to C and sweep rolls are both valuable rolls to learn -- and that each has its advantages. A good C to C involves much more hip than arm or shoulder -- and thus doesn't take a lot of strength or place your shoulder in jeopardy.

Regarding the use of a paddle float to empty the boat. You are right that it can often be done without, but if you are using your paddle float to re-enter the boat anyway, why not?

[Gobbeldigook]

Looks like a solid roll. However, the roll displayed in the video requires heaps of strength. If the kayaker would lean back more in the endphase, there would be no what they call "hip snap" (0:12-0:14 in the vid). Instead of pressing the paddle down into the water, my view is that he should continue the sweep and lean back more and gradually come onto the aft deck and from there on sit up right. What he is risking here is that the paddle sinks to much before he's upright and thus fail the roll.

[touringkayaks]

Gobbeldigook, you seem to prefer the sweep to the C-to-C. The sweep and c-to-c rolls are useful rolls that have advantages under certain conditions.

The C-to-C roll does not require much in terms of strength. The righting movement is provided by the hip snap, which does require some flexibility but not strength. The C-to-C is quicker than the sweep and often works better in rough conditions. Additionally, the C-to-C roll works in kayaks that may not have a low back deck.

[Dunk1970]

So, sea kayaks aren't for you then. They are for a lot of people though. I've been out in the swell, paddled in high winds and performed rolls and rescues out at sea. If you wear the appropriate kit, you don't get that cold. Sit on tops are far more dangerous because you are less likely to be able to battle the current or winds, as they are slow. You need to get some practice and coaching. I come from paddling white water, so rolling sea kayaks are easy and are the quickest way back upright.

[Dunk1970]

It's not old school. Sure you can use paddle floats, if you're quick and don't panic finding the thing and getting set up while upside down. But the there is no replacement for being able to do a roll. Sea kayaks are the easiest kayaks to roll, and a good learner can pick it up in one hour long session (I did). Otherwise it should take less than a six week course in the pool. Aside from learning a valuable skill it's fun and a big confidence booster for when you are out in the sea.

[MrSnubzy]

this scare the shit out of me and make me want to get a sit on top kayak instead

[19vendetta19]

Because "Eskimo" is a derogatory name meaning: eater of raw flesh.

[sw3210]

that roll seems a hybrid , using a put across at the end with the hip flick. I feel that would not be a good option for whitewater, ok for sea and flatwater. Having recently had a rotator cuff injury my shoulder ached just watching this roll.I feel there are lower impact otions

[MrRogers1771]

How is Eskimo roll offensive?

[qbrikc]

roll with the punches?

[stayhomelynn106]

I find eskimo roll offensive... its politically correct name is innuit roll

[HyperSonicXtreme]

DO A BARREL ROLL!!

[kyaker123]

ah yes this is true but doing that has more dangers than his c to c.. with his c to c all his work is done in a hip snap and so he risks alot less injury than you may or may not think.. with what your saying the roll stands a high chance of failing and leaning on the back deck can cause it to fail.. miserably.. his best option is to do what hes doing.. so far i've had no problem with my c to c but my friend who does what you do doesn't always complete a roll.

[kyaker123]

lol im the exact same :P

[kyaker123]

Trust me, pulling that spraydeck is alot worse, then you end up swimming in the cold water carrying a paddle and kayak..... your legs get as cold as the rest of your body and now you have alot of work to do.. i have rolled multiple times in a river.. each on purpose of course..i would much prefer to roll and i know that truthly you would agree with me on the facts about how much colder the wet exit drill will be! :P