Greenland kayak roll help

Well I thought I'd put these short clips together to offer a bit of guidance for the standard Greenland roll. This technique has proved it's self and the people I've taught have gone on to help others. A good instructor is great but not always required. My wife taught me to roll from a book and my paddling bud Dustin helped me tweak it out. You'll always learn more from those you paddle with on a regular basis.

The video is of poor quality. It was shot with a digital still camera and was never intended to be more than just something to watch later that evening. This summer I plan to tape a much better rolling video but I thought it wouldn't hurt to post this one here.

Qajaq USA has rolling video clips and I'd suggest taking a look at those too. The video doesn't show perfect technique But I've never seen perfect technique in the real situations either. You just want to get up.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• kayak
• kayaking
• rolling
• greenland
• roll
• sculling

[kasperwulff]

QUESTION: What do yuo mean by "push the kayak away"? In what direction?

What do you consideer the innder knee and outer foot-peg? - I mean: You are sideways, so your left knee (in this particular vid.) is UP and the RIGHT is DOWN. Which pushes what?

Yes. remember: Head last.

[mattjohnson00]

Good question:

Answer: part 1

In regards to rolling the "inside" arm/leg are the ones closest to the water or the side you are rolling up from. So to push the kayak away you would push your foot against the "outside" (left in the vid) foot peg (it does feel like you're pushing it away from you but you are actually leveling the hull against the water - "lifting" against the thigh brace with the inside knee aids in leveling or "righting" the hull.

[mattjohnson00]

Good question:

Answer: part 2

Yes I've always thought of rolling as righting the hull and letting your body follow. Beginners always try to right themselves and then the kayak which doesn't work. The lifting knee and pushing foot twist the hull and simultaneously pull it beneath your body if done correctly.

Hope that made sense cause I'm not sure it did ;)

[YooperZone]

Thanks for posting. I just bought my first kayak yesterday. And yesterday was the first time I've ever been in one. Its a Capella 166. Although I've canoed for years, kayaking is a whole new ballgame! I've got alot to learn! I love it!

[mattjohnson00]

The Capella is an excellent kayak. Glad to see that you're thinking of recovery skills, cause you'll need them in the Great Lakes. Have fun!

[Im4science]

That's a stitch-&-glue version of my skin-on-frame. It's18' X 19".

Matt

[Markwithnohair]

In the video? The all white one. Thanks

[Markwithnohair]

What type, brand and model,(even if it is a stitch and glue) is the last kayak in t

[Junebugberry]

Hey, this is cool. There's some more similarly interesting info at blueheresothere worth checking out

[longpolefool]

Notice his head is the last thing out of the water. That is where most rolls fail.