How To: Do a Sweep Kayak Roll

The kayak sweep roll is a very efficient way to roll your sea kayak or whitewater boat. It's smooth, low impact and gives you longer-lasting support from the paddle and more time to combine the hip snap with that paddle support. In this video from our Kayaking Fundamentals series, kayaking instructor Ken Whiting demonstrates the technique and tips that will help you master this important kayaking safety skill.

[@jimDNSmith]

Just watching the video and trying to practice the sweep, and I've broken my office chair. Hope I don't get fired!

[@ywjsiabvue]

Hope you didn't break your hips!

[@BrokVoekler]

Did you get fired?

[@bobmorgan9304]

😂

[@jimDNSmith]

@@BrokVoekler Nope!

[@jpscharged]

Guess this wasn't work safe!

[@johnyy1911]

Hip snap when you gain support from the paddle. I was starting the hip snap before I had any paddle support and my head was very deep in the water. This also made the hip snap weak. This tip was key to my success.

[@StompedAgain]

Such a relief to roll up after being flipped in an eddy line or rapid. My best advice is to have a step by step plan for the roll and practice talking yourself through those steps. When an eddy line flips you over focus on following the steps, roll up, then worry about the river.

[@stephenpenn7060]

First class instruction, managed to roll after watching without tuition. Thanks, appreciate I need more practice and training but a great start.

[@SpiritOfTheOpera]

Thank you thank you thank you for this!!! I've been failing miserably at my paddle rolls lately, I bring my head up too early and I lose my far hand when going to home position, this makes more sense!!!

[@TinyBitBrit]

Thanks for this video, I'd forgotten how to do the roll when I went Kayaking recently so I'll remember this for in future!

[@jpscharged]

Don't expect success without practice. Learning on the river is a good way to loose your gear in a bailout.

[@BucketListBadass]

Thank you for the simplest video. Not too long

[@WrestlingTournamentsDotCom]

This video helped me a lot, I was even able to get it a few times on my first day (has a bunch of wet exits too). Thanks!

[@NRSWEB]

Glad it helped!

[@tanner7623]

Thanks!

[@GetOutandKayakMalta]

thanks from malta!

[@alehax27]

i tweaked my shoulder attempting this one

[@oinkpeliculas]

im definetely trying to do it but somehow i cant (i guess is a matter of time and practice..). Although im trying to do half the sweep. Thanks for helping us with this video!

[@theunknowngamer8121]

The order of the body parts that go out of the water is: first hips, head. This is very important, as it gives you momentum.

[@elilee4150]

Thank u saved my life I feel like

[@littlenip3]

By the term hip snap i am guessing he is referring to what is commonly called a 'hip flick', which is where you rotate the boat of your body by rolling your hips while keeping your head in the water. as for placing your paddle to the left, it is not really important which side you place the paddle, but it is good to practice on both sides. If you haven't already learn't the hip flick i would recommend learning it before you attempt to roll. Using the side of a pool can be helpful with this.

[@jpscharged]

You will need some sort of brace even if it is minimal like just one hand. Hip snap is 90% but without the last 10% it's pointless. Honestly rolling without a paddle is easier.

[@danielesiddu311]

Perfetto....😇ma quando cadi...???

[@theopinson3851]

Hey! That’s my boat lol

[@nikhiltiwari9500]

Then how to roll back Please give reply

[@NRSWEB]

Sorry Nikhil-I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

[@nikhiltiwari9500]

Sir, i want to ask you that What if a kayak flip over and the helm lapse from your hand means you have no means to roll back. Then, is there any way to get back to safe position? If yes then please tell me. Sir, i am not a professional kayaker and not going to be. I have just reading an article in a newspaper there was mentioned about this roll back technique using helm, and a question arouse in my mind. Please do reply.

[@itypethetruthnobshere8975]

what about no paddle?

[@NRSWEB]

To learn that skill you might watch you watch our video on How To: Hand Roll a Kayak (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKbcqX9vZZWWgZI). Thanks for watching!

[@bryanedward9597]

Isn't this also called the corkscrew roll? and thankyou I will no longer look like an idiot in the swimming pool!

[@NRSWEB]

Hi blinkstreek 27, I've talked to several other kayakers here at NRS and done a little searching on the web and we're having trouble figuring out exactly what a corkscrew roll is. It might be a regional term from your neck of the woods. Eric Jackson sometimes refers to a sweep roll as a screw roll. Anyway we're glad you found the video helpful.

[@johnhanses638]

From what I seen in other videos moving the kayak with your lower body is the most important thing and this video doesn't talk about that. The term hip snap?? well what is that?? they never tell you what a hip snap is. Its confusing when he says to place your paddle to the left of the kayak? Why what if you roll of on the right? that is not important to address? Its clear you have to move your lower body and avoid leaning back when you roll a kayak back up using the paddle to help.

[@nikhiltiwari9500]

What if your boat rolled downwards and you dont have paddle

[@NRSWEB]

Sorry Nikhil-I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

[@MikeRoberts1964]

@@NRSWEB what if you flip but lose your paddle, I think is what they are asking

[@timsampson2941]

Wet exit or learn to hand roll.

[@sophienice1080]

i got a semi watching this 😩😩😩

[@tygervoods8358]

What if you accidentally die?

[@jasonbyu75]

Tyger Voods I would probably just give up at that point.

[@slayermijalu6698]

I'm so scared of rolling over and not being able to go back up I'm never doing this

[@crudolph8]

Take a class in it...don't try it alone to start. The instructors just grab the ropes of your kayak and turn you upright if need be (and you will need it when you first start out). But if you can do this, you will be less fearful in the event you go over for real.

[@danielcochrane2534]

You need not fear. You took the initiative to get a kayak and now you are going to succeed in doing a successful roll. Get a helper and do it. Show me a gif when you have completed it.

[@Ricobaca]

I see why ain't no Black kayakers.