7 Tips for Better Rolling - Kayak to the Sea S1. Ep 5

[@coppershark1973]

'Claws to paws' is the single most brilliant piece of kayak rolling advice I've heard yet. Brilliant.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Aww shucks, thanks

[@kevinuher3415]

@Kayak To The Sea I need to try this with my wife.. she's struggling getting up. We are in whitewater kayaks and working on sweep, but have been trying other things, extended paddle, lay back. On her sweep.. she's spinning kayak 50-90° easy... making bow rescue slower too. When she does get up, it's with muscle and or scull at end. It's not smooth. The slow down is also good point. The extended paddle, layback really forces her to slowdown. Do you agree, that we should just work on her to master layback 1st? Then work sweep? Cause in Whitewater, in my opinion, layback should not be used, unless last resort.

[@KayakToTheSea]

@@kevinuher3415 Sorry for taking so long to reply, just saw this one here. In general, we want a roll to be easy and not rely on muscle. By the sounds of the spinning, her blade pitch is likely super steep the whole time through the roll and she is essentially doing a sweep instead of a brace. Applying the 'claws to paws' to this might help it out. And whichever style of roll you want to do, these tips can be applied, lay back, forward finish, handrolling, pretty much anything. Experiment with it and see how it goes. And if you are still struggling find a coach (or many coaches) and try different teaching methods. How one person teaches / understands it just might not gel with the learning style.

[@freepilot7732]

May I add a tip? I used swimming goggles and kept my eyes open upside down and just hang and relaxed holding my breath. No attempted to roll. Looking up to the light and get into a Zen like feeling. Begin the setup but not to actual roll but enough to get my head up enough to catch a breath and let myself fall back under. This puts my mind at ease so when ever I am capsized, it feels like your home without panic. I know this seems unrelated but I assure you that when you truly feel relaxed everything else like the stress of rolling becomes that much more easier.

[@KayakToTheSea]

I absolutely agree! Being calm and comfortable in your kayak and underwater is a big part of practicing and executing solid rolls and braces. I spend a lot of time with people getting them relaxed and trying to cut out the fear reaponse. I always start my rolling classes with a wet-exit for that reason, so the fear of having to escape fades away. Comfort also comes with practice and exposure so the more it is done the more relaxed you become. I disagree with the goggles to a certain extent. They are great for learning so you can see what is happening but eventually practicing without is a necessity because when you really need a roll in conditions or "Combat" it is unlikely you'll be wearing them. Same goes for nose plugs.

[@freepilot7732]

@@KayakToTheSea yes I agree. I just didn't elaborate the continuation..yes the goggles should come off soon into your training.

[@MrEh5]

Scuba dive training helped me a lot with being more comfortable under water in a kayak.

[@freepilot7732]

​@@MrEh5 I feel the same way.I'm fact I used my scuba to help roll a few times. It was fun. I used my BCD to float the tank, had the reg in mouth and rolled.

[@wadepatton2433]

Thanks for a teaching in the positive mode. I don't understand why so many folks make "DONT'S" and "WRONGS" videos starting out with emphasis on the negative. I won't watch them. I never will. It's just bass ackwards to the psychology that I find applies to me and most folks. I don't care to give my brains "bad moves" to "NOT" think about. Positivity rools and kayak rolls!

[@ywsfuj]

Just back from a practice session, and watch this video again. Very helpful.

[@Mhdogman]

Very nice video. Great advice. Thank you. Smiles

[@louisfbrooks]

Great tips. I can roll but I have no confidence in my roll and it holds me back from doing more challenging trips. Going to try some of these tips as soon as it warms up some.

[@kristofferrydquist8384]

Thanks! I just about managed to roll in a pool this winter and could not transfer to the open sea. Claws and paws, great tip. Did ten rolls today!

[@KayakToTheSea]

Glad to hear you are getting some good results! Keep at it, paddle safe, and if you need any help on any techniques let me know.

[@AryanAbbasnia]

Tim thank you for sharing the tips.

[@seekayaker]

One problem I have seen with the do it slower approach is when someone (Barb) tries to do the roll slow while getting it to work initially. We emphasize slow in Greenland rolling, but that is a way to improve a working roll, so first you have to have a working roll to slow down. Doing it too slow when learning a new roll may make it not work and is just frustrating.

[@KayakToTheSea]

That's why I had the big disclaimer about how this is not a "Learn to Roll" video but a "Learn to Roll Better" one. I agree totally with you. I have often told people to do it faster when first learning and use a bit of grunt to get things to happen. But once it is there then slowing it down really helps.

[@peterflynn9123]

Great tips - love claws for paws.

[@jieliang8945]

Good tips and video. Will try some of the tips when next season begins (March, since I am in Chicago area), and see, e.g., if I can reduce the rotation of my kayak for reverse sweep roll.

[@jailen461]

I've watched your video several times. Now all I have to do is wait for the ice to go and give it a shot. You make it look easy. I've had some success just need more practice.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Take a look and see if any kayak shops or clubs run pool sessions in your area. They are a great way to practice in the winter. Good luck!

[@secretpsyco1]

Thanks for the tips. I'm learning to roll my Waveski, but often roll right over. I like the slow down and focus on technique tip as I've been relying on explosive movement to get me up.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Just like surfing, get that technique dialed in and the flow and instinctual ease will come with it.

[@markalexwhite]

Best tip I ever received from my instructors is still the best tip I pass on. After capsizing, count to three before you do anything ;-)

[@Shandchem]

Great tips to improve rolling technique!

[@timwatsonphotography]

Excellent video. Thanks for this.

[@tarathegoldengirl]

Excellent instruction, espicially bombproofing section. Tim B

[@leclyde]

awsome tips , tres apprécié

[@leeanderson5955]

Consolation: if you don’t manage to get upright you can practice self-rescues, don’t ask me how I know this. Great instructional video, I’ll keep trying. Thanks.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Another great set of skills to practice for sure! They are often overlooked because rolling is so interesting and dynamic but something everyone should practice regularly. Any there any specific issue you are having with rolling?

[@gw6797]

That was really helpful, thanks

[@Cad1900]

I can’t roll just yet but I love your thoughts and approach.

[@mailitedd185]

I love this video. I hope to start learning these skills in the pool this year. I am going to start yoga videos to get ready. Thank you for making this video.

[@stochasmvid]

Very nice! I like the practice aspects of flexibility, starting with recovery, and awkwardness. I'll have to try that Greenland rope gymnastics, looks like a great way to build balance and core.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Ropes is an amazing workout especially for paddling. Lots of nuance and fine control involved which translates very nicely to a kayak. I have a video on it in my channel. Check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2fMl6SBgMSppbc

[@Lorikmiyu]

Wao

[@henrynagle2865]

Great video! Thanks so much.

[@Corcioch]

Great video. Thanks

[@sticksstones8498]

You remind me of Marshall "How i met your mother" Good points Thanks for sharing.

[@KayakToTheSea]

Ha! You are not the first person to mention that. We are about the same height too. My celebrity doppelganger. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@qaannat]

Good input!

[@kayakamy2618]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@josephshaff5194]

Thanks!

[@siempreafavor730]

hood that great video

[@stevenscheirer4595]

Informative perspective, thanks

[@Notesens]

Sweet video. Although your desclaimer says "not a how-to", these tips along with how slowly you broke down the do's and dont's of the technique will definitely help me learn faster and with less bad habit. Thanks for the video

[@KayakToTheSea]

Glad you liked it. Teaching techniques vary as much as coaches do. Just knowing what wrong and right looks like can be a big advantage in learning. Let me know if you have any more questions or have a request for a tutorial or technique video.

[@Notesens]

@@KayakToTheSea I will definitely have some questions once the weather warms up and I get out there more. I subbed so I'll be around and share your tutorials. I do have one question right now: I just got back from a 3 day kayak loop. Was my first time on a kayak since a kid at the cottage. I got comfortable fairly quick and had a great pace (around 5-6km/hr). Coming back I was exhausted. I saw what I guess you call class 1 rapids going into maybe a small class 2 section, imo very manageable from the naked eye. The problem was, there was what looked like a 1 and a half, maybe 2 foot drop going from the class 1 to class 2. Rocks were a little high. Is this possible to hit in a 10ft kayak? My mind said yes.. it would've saved a hectic portage, but failure with all my gear wasn't worth the risk to find out.

[@kayasper6081]

Nice video, I enjoyed it, thanks

[@rickguthrie7662]

Great training tips. I am sort of new to kayaking. Looking for a lower volume kayak to roll with and to a kayak camp in WA state San Juan Islands. Can you name a couple of kayaks with those features? Hard chine no rudder with skeg and lighter weight. Thanks

[@KayakToTheSea]

Sorry for taking so long to respond. Finding a kayak is like finding a pair of shoes. They need to fit right and be suited for what you want to do. A good rolling kayak often comes at the expense of volume and comfort which makes it less capable as a touring kayak. 'British Expedition' style kayaks often skirt this line. Manufacturers like Valley, Rockpool, NDK, Rebel, Current Designs, all make kayaks that are high performers and great all rounders. Which would be best for your needs is tough to say. The main thing, try out as many as you possibly can and see what features you like and whick one feels the best to you.

[@cheskybaba4864]

I'm a whitewater kayaker, On the Paws to Claws - at which point through the rotation in the water (from front to back deck) would you rotate the wrists? If you do it to soon or too late, the smooth roll will fail.

[@KayakToTheSea]

I tend to link it with my forehead. With the traditional roll the head dips back when you move toward the stern. With whitewater it should be similar. Best I can say without watching you do it is to experiment and try to make your roll as effortless as possible.

[@MikeProut]

Sooooooo helpful!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!

[@IGBeTix-Electronique]

Super, merci beaucoup (france).

[@KayakToTheSea]

Je vous en prie!

[@bryanb8366]

Do you make your own paddles? Started making them this fall and what a great reward. $13 and about 3 hrs of work.

[@KayakToTheSea]

I've made a handful of paddles for myself and others. I typically use a Gearlab for day to day surfing and rolling and a longer, more supple, and more forgiving wooden paddle for touring.

[@SteveHofsaess]

if a sea kayak roll the same as white water kayak,, I am learning and it is frustrating

[@KayakToTheSea]

It is essentially the same thing. What is different is that sea-kayaking often draws from Greenland style techniques that use more finesse than whitewater based techniques. If you are struggling, the best thing to do is to find a good instructor that can take you through the process one on one so you don't build bad habits or injure yourself.

[@SteveHofsaess]

@@KayakToTheSea Thanks for the quick response. I have taken a few lessons in Colombia, South America. I will return back to the states in a few weeks and continue my progression. Where do you teach at??

[@KayakToTheSea]

@@SteveHofsaess I teach at a number of events around the Great Lakes region and on the Atlantic coast. But there are tons of great instructors out there. Just look for Greenland style rolling classes and you'll find someone.

[@esp224]

Longboard in the background?

[@KayakToTheSea]

Yup, another water sport that I am trying to learn. Not good at all. I am lucky to get onto my feet once per session. I like swimming in surf though, that is my favorite part.

[@esp224]

Old ,lifelong longboarder trying to learn to kayak,appreciative of your lesson.Our situations are reversed.....Thanks

[@patrickwilliamson29]

"Do more yoga" I have heard this so many times from self important hippies. Get over the fact that it just isn't for some people

[@KayakToTheSea]

I totally agree that it isn't for everyone. I tend to practice it in waves for a few weeks on then a few weeks off. And it doesn't need to be yoga, but any exercise that builds strength and flexibility will help with rolling and paddling techniques.

[@patrickwilliamson29]

@@KayakToTheSea thanks for the reply, flexibility is incredibly important and I know yoga does work for some people, just not me. I've just had too many people try to push it on me

[@KayakToTheSea]

@@patrickwilliamson29 the overzealous nature of a lot of practitioners is something that I feel makes a lot of different exercises less approachable. Yoga, cross-fit, marathoners, (kayakers 😬) can easily drive people away with being too overbearing. It is all supposed to be fun and individual and we all need to remember that.