Sorry for my early comment, it was a bit overdramatic and unhelpful. This isn't how I or any kayak instructors I know would teach the roll, but it wont kill anyone to try some different approaches as they develop

The blocks are not downstream obstacles, they are to create eddies to pivot into/out of

Brilliant guys 👍 well done

Just seen this video and think it is perfect for getting you started on your kayak rolling journey. And as Dave said, practice every time you use your kayak, and you will soon find a way to roll that suits you. Cheers Dave.

another great video 👍 on another note a while ago you did a video about getting in your kayak on the river , well after watching that I tried my first seal launch 😆 and loved it now I do it at every opportunity😂 so many thanks for that video .

Must remember the advice "to take a deep breath" before the roll. I usually exhale strongly before going under!

On the Derwent with Chris. Great fun and not a single gate cleared!

This is the previous version of the NRS Ninja (pre-2024). The newer one has a bigger pocket and supposedly a more comfortable fit. Personally I am looking at getting the Ninja OS which has more D-ring mount points and is meant for open water/recreational use. The base Ninja is more for white water, while the Pro is for rescue.

Hip "flick": As an older person, I hate the term 'flick'. It suggest a fast, very dynamic and somewhat aggressive motion, that's not always possible with that flick visualisation. I prefer the buttock swap view, especially if practised statically upright. In practice (I visualise) it's the rotation of the boat such that it is tucked underneath the upper body by bringing the 'far away' thigh across and under one's belly button (no heads are raised during this manoeuvre;-)

Common 'fault' I've seen for new paddlers learning to roll is the 'cocked' wrist at set-up, which is (they have) over forced. When they invert and move focus to the sweep, the wrist relaxes and the paddle angle, especially if held by the front hand (rather than Dave's 'trick' of using the rear hand against the throat of the rear paddle), is now set up for a dive rather than a supporting stroke. pool training suggestion: Using a body board as a paddle float is a great help for separating the setup practice, from the sweep/finish practice. Place the paddle on the board and then reverse the recovery to invert into the water. It quickly becomes obvious that the initial sweep out is important to get leverage for the rotation aspect of the roll, and also allows/ensures that beginners 'get up' for the last bit where head position would be key.

For extra teaching of kayak 'lean' (edging), folks should try the buttock test/exercise. On flat water, initially with both buttocks equally weighted, shift one's weight onto a single buttock (as if on a bar stool), this will edge the boat, and with a little more weighting the opposing knee will engage with the thigh brace (the classic 'lift the knee'). All this without any real need to lean the upper body, which for beginners is a common 'fear' of sticking your weight over the edge of the boat and over balancing. The 'weight a buttock' approach avoids that fear of over balnce and separates the boat edging from the body lean, and promotes hip/pelvis flexure (aka hip flick..)

Additional points.. Reversing in with most river kayaks while leaning forward until beached, and then lean back which makes the boat 'sit hard' on the sloping bank makes for an easier exit. remember the point of balance is on the centre line, so when stepping out always have the foot that stays in the boat on the centre line (if it's offset the boat will wobble). When standing up, use both arms equally in a A frame stance to maximise stability. Practice on dry land first ;-)

I'm still shocked these things are allowed to exist. Forget kayakers, imagine a kid falling into one. They should have designed in kickouts so a swimmer has a chance to move to the side and be freed.

Herzlichen DANK für die gute Erklärung.

Also worth reflecting how much the 'get on' is just the same as a ferry glide, perhaps initiated from an eddy (i.e. practice easy first) Then as a direct consequent, that the exit of the wave is just like either exiting a ferry glide into an eddy, or exiting an eddy into a sharp change of flow (includes the turn). And "cheat" (in the best possible way) by changing the visualisation to an easier skill you (the learner) already have, or visualise that the 'instructor' had to give up as they exited (see also 360 turns while straight running) ;-)

Iron works: older weirs often have repairs made by filing hessian sacks with sand cement mix and then pinning (length of rebar) them into the existing weir to fill holes and support unstable parts. Over time these bags can eroded leaving the rust sharpened rebar protruding. A few years back there was concerted effort to trim many of these back on the stanley weir on the river Tay. Anything Victorian or earlier is likely to have iron spikes all over the place (inc fencing extending into the river banks)..

Dave, you really gotta treat yourself. A good paddle makes SUCH a difference. I'd say something like a fibreglass werner/VE is the absolute minimum standard. I would honestly rather have a good paddle and rubbish kayak than a good kayak and rubbish paddle.

Try these strokes out and let me know what works for you. Stay safe!

Don’t lean upstream ❤

I'm inspired!

My favourite paddle is a lendle paddle which I won in a competition many years ago. 72 degrees lefty, made specifically for me. That is the only thing I have ever won in my life. I also use a Greenland paddle that I made myself. I very seldom use anything else to be honest. Happy paddling.

Besten DANK nochmals auch für die anderen Videos - macht Spaß zuzusehen und es dann auszuprobieren.

vielen Dank für Ihr tolles Video wirklich gut erklärt ich habe es mir mehrmals angesehen

#1 tip, look where you want to go both at the start and through the glide. Pick a point on the opposite bank and focus on it thorough the Glide. This will help set the angle and initiate the lean by turning your shoulder and raising the upstream knee. Many beginners focus on looking at the bow which will keep the boat flat giving you less control.

Number 9 and the most dangerous: paddlers decision making! Go on a safety and leadership course folks!

Sorry does really help

My spare is just a small 1/2 paddle. Tucked in deck webbing but with an added leash so it cannot be lost in a roll.

I have tried various permutations on my rockhopper, and in the rockhopper, but the one you suggest is probably the best. Unless you can talk someone else in to carrying them for you. I have done that in the past. Obvious drawbacks to that too.

How do you carry your spare paddles? Let me know!

Tell me about your paddles! What do you like about them? Why did you buy them? Look forward to hearing from you!

Great video lovely relaxing paddle 👍

Is that Nafford Weir on the Avon? That was my local play spot for years! Got dangerous in flood as the stopper crept up the weir and spread in front of the bridge pillar

I started in a Perception Mirage mid 80's, then the same boat in the 90's, i did my 3 star in a Mirage with no outfitting, just a seat lol and foot pegs :)

Yet more helpful tips, keep them them coming they are really good 👍

Good advice as always

My least favourite part of any trip. I managed to fall out in 2 inches of water due to a leg cramp the other day. Much to my grandsons amusement.

HI, the blocks on the left just before drop 4 are not just to test you, they are there for a reason, youre supposed to wait in the eddy behind them in case there are any playboaters playing below the drop. This wasn't the case for you, but normally if there are, you cant really see them from above until its too late, a tell tale sign would be someone standing bank side river right, so you wait in the eddy behind the blocks for a thumbs up to let you know they've cleared for you.

I was teached to use a "Paddle bridge" to stabilize the kayak if you struggle to jump out with an impressive triple salto like I normally do. 😉🙃

Some great advice 👍

The concept for this video was made in early May 2024 and was planned to be launched on the 25th May 2024. It is NOT a response to any recent incidents in the wider paddling world. Find out how to use your throw line - see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3mldKV9nNR8msU

All good advice,as always

Thanks for the advices, I will surely learn from it. :)

Some really good things to think about in that video 👍 keep up the good work

I prefer, Hey buddy, my back is killing me today, can you get this down tot he river for me?

In the 70s I did slalom kayaking. We made our own kayaks for $40-50 from materials purchased through the local canoe club using moulds hired from the club as well. These boats were 4 metres (13 ft) in length and weighed 13 - 18 kg (30 - 40 lb), made from fibreglass using chopped strand matt & polyester resin. You could make a lighter & stronger boat using woven rovings as woven mat absorbs less resin than chopped strand. Alternatively, high end comp boats of that time were carbon kevlar at half these weights or less. By the late 70s, I though people were rediculously crazy for buying super heavy PE boats at 6 times the cost & more than double the weight. I still have my KW7 & Lettermann Olymp from those days, though much repaired. I have since purchased a 17 ft Geoff Barker designed Sea Wasp & it's not much heavier than my original slalom kayaks. All of these kayaks are very easy for me to lift and carry on my shoulder. Not so easy getting them on an SUV though as I am not tall, but they are very easy to lift onto a small sedan.

My go to position is the shoulder lift, don't have to rely on others. Trolley is good for across the car park but not much use if you're climbing over rocks and seaweed etc. good video as always.

Good video I really do like all the useful information 👍