Should All Paddlers Learn the Kayak Roll?

For many, the roll is the 'Holy Grail' of paddling - but should all paddlers learn the kayak roll? While we're not actively showing you how to do the roll in this video, we're breaking down all the pros and cons to help you decide whether or not it's a skill you should learn.
Want to learn how to roll? Watch this tutorial. It's an oldie, but it's still a good one: • How to Roll a Kayak
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[@Chris-vw3yc]

I firmly believe that one should aspire to get one. To be more confidant in bigger water. Not being afraid of capsizing is a powerful thing

[@rustybarber3016]

I learned to roll at 35 by watching a few KZbin videos. Had to watch a couple different ones before I figured it out. But now I can roll 20-30 times in a row successfully using either a C to C or a Sweep. I haven’t figured out the back deck roll yet and my high brace isn’t very good. But it makes a huge difference in your confidence just knowing you can right yourself if you do flip.

[@peterwhatley542]

I’m 50 and just learned to roll

[@boblem5994]

if I was a younger, healthier man this would have been on my list of things to do. Since I'm neither I am more than happy to spend my time watching the ducks swim, the water lapping gently on my hull and watching the fall leaves turn colours on a quiet lake or lagoon. The kayak world is so diverse everyone will find their niche.

[@charliemorrison8168]

I'm in my mid 50s and doing it. I just started a couple years ago.

[@boblem5994]

@@charliemorrison8168 I wish I started at your age. I'm turning 65 and going downhill fast. Can't wait till next year for kayaking.

[@GoodLifeMedicine]

I'm 59 and learned a good pool roll last winter, but flipped on the river last weekend and it didn't even occur to me to attempt to roll. I guess I have to master the mental game now.

[@707rudo]

45 and learned to roll of your KZbin clips, last weekend! Thanks mate.

[@PaddleTV]

Fantastic!

[@shillinhite3911]

I hope to have someone spot me this summer while I teach myself at the lake. Did you do the C to C roll? What worked for you? I don't have ready access to any instruction in my area so learning the methods myself through videos is the best I can do for now--it is hopeful to hear that someone had success this way!

[@MarEkkertsen]

Looks at that young man in the 2013 rolling video. Good job.

[@facedown9754]

The ability to roll a kayak is the ultimate achievement..however not all of us can..depending on physical abilities..other self rescue techniques are essential...know your limitations and paddle within them is always good advice..the knowledge of a guide can also be invaluable

[@qaannat]

The roll should not be the last thing one learns, but the first! Really! Then the wet exit and subsequent rescues.

[@facedown9754]

qaannat Agree, however that means a lot of people would never paddle..How many people take a full course on how to roll a kayak before ever starting out?

[@cterrell1343]

@@qaannat I agree, having re-started sea kayaking with the attitude of making sure this time I learn the roll properly as a basic skill so that a capsize is no big deal most of the time. I think now if anyone is seriously paddling beyond an early taster session or a one-off kayak day out, then it can be introduced in stages, starting with assisted rescues (they were called "eskimo" rescues when I learned them ). I try to encourage this with any adults I have the opportunity to coach. Learning the roll has helped me paddle with much more confidence and stay more stable, this time round. Safe journeys, on land and water!

[@ikkeennietjij]

@@PappaMike-vc1qv you are so right! Learn your braces and your rescues! Rolling is not the most important thing, it shouldn't be high on your list. Besides that, your top achievement can also be a perfect forward stroke!

[@kenwebster5053]

My experience of learning to roll, was a morning learning and practicing support strokes and part of the afternoon learning and practicing to roll. It was a large group, so limited one on one and we all learned it in less than a day. Not a big deal but yes, you do need a competent instructor. There are instructor certifications and often club instructors will teach members for free.

[@thehighMcd]

I'm self taught

[@kenwebster5053]

@@thehighMcd I think that is quite a feat, well done!

[@thehighMcd]

Rolling the kayak is addictive once you get it.

[@ikkeennietjij]

It is for some people, but not for all...

[@qaannat]

I could not agree more. You don't have to. But you should. Some people get it quick, others have to work for it. Learning to roll can be confusing as can be at first. But it is so well worth your time. Once you learn to roll, you can really explore edging and maneuvering strokes, and the limits of your braces. Plus, once you learn to roll well, the so-called "bombproof roll", you usually don't need to roll much! Except when that sneaky 1-foot wave catches you out... lol. Learn it, it's not that hard. Once you know how, it's downright easy. Just another stroke, done under water.

[@Lostcause1974]

Great video! I could t understand the need to roll until this video. (I have only been in a kayak a few times on a lake)

[@richardwill935]

Really helpful video that makes a clear reason to make a choice. First time I've heard that it's essentially easier to do (if not learn) than the other self-rescue techniques. Thanks!

[@PaddleTV]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@packratty]

Rolling, effort wise, is like pulling a chair at a dining room table and sitting down. If you do wet exit, gettting back into your boat and pumping it out is like getting back in the house by using a ladder to get up to a window and scramble through it, then moving all the books off of a bookcase to have a horizontal surface to use as a table. Rolling takes a few seconds and is very easy. Getting back in a kayak ans ready to paddle after a wet exit takes several minutes (assuming practice) and is quite tiring and annoying.

[@charliemorrison8168]

I'll be taking a kayak skills class next spring/summer. I do want to get more skills.

[@mountainpaddler2242]

Open cockpit surfski is a great way to have the best of both worlds; it's easy to get back in, doesn't hold water in the cockpit and you're not limited from going out in big water. There is some real advantages to not having a "capsize" as a concern.

[@potomafia]

But isn’t there a steep learning curve to surfskiing?

[@mountainpaddler2242]

@@potomafia Not at all. This is a common misconception about surfski. Early on, many of the skis were very tippy and unstable, but during the past decade, more and more stable boats are being made. Many are more stable than kayaks. Another misconception is that you can't carry gear on a ski--but several are also being made now with hatches and bulkheads. You should give one a try, there are some real benefits.

[@seankearney6915]

The roll is just another stroke and if learned correctly it doesn't need strength, just coordination. If you can learn it in a pool do so. Then move to outside on a warm day. It will improve your kayaking no end. If you can come back from being upside down you will find you can come back with a high brace from much further over than you could before. The end of a roll is similar to a high brace with a hip flick. The inability to roll also hinders learning other bracing strokes as there is a hesitation because you don't want the pain of getting out emptying a boat and getting back in. If you can roll then you can happily try anything. Also if you do paddle white water your friends will thank you for it as they are the ones that invariably have to fish you out if you cant roll.

[@DustinRea]

I'm going to practice this as soon as the water is warm enough to spend a while at it because I don't have a drysuit. If I had a dry suit I'd start tomorrow. The ice just melted off part of the lake last week and 2 days ago I was pushing ice. So I'll wait

[@kennicholson1620]

I have a two man klipper kayak I'm pretty sure I couldn't do a roll in it though but would love to see you cover the klipper kayak thanks

[@Sue-ec6un]

Exactly! Thanks 😊

[@barriereid9244]

I can. I pack my Riot 12 Enduro for three weeks. I have a deck bag forward with an MSR Elixir 2 and sleeping bag. Behind me is my HH waterproofs, jacket, trousers and shore clothes. It is not possible to roll...I have tried. It is much easier to climb back in.

[@trevorsowers]

Next you should cover rolling a canoe.

[@malcolmnicholls2893]

Well put.

[@seathrunmagaoinghous4119]

Great videos, would love to roll but not so fun in a surf ski lol

[@glennandersen4748]

I learned to roll by my self after looking at some youtube videos

[@PaddleTV]

Nice! That's not an easy thing to do. Did you use goggles or a mask to see better underwater?

[@bassoneon]

What if you have a tandem sea kayak?

[@PaddleTV]

You can roll a tandem sea kayak too. In fact, if only one person knows how to roll, the other person can just tuck up and wait while the other person does the rolling.

[@mairnealachamu]

"Once you got it, you got it" I'm afraid not. I find it a very perishable skill. Regular practice required - use it, or lose it.

[@wisenber]

I tend to prefer a good brace when sea kayaking. Rolling a loaded sea kayak is something I try to avoid.

[@steverogers5956]

If you have a good brace you're 3/4 of the way to a roll anyway. Best to have both.

[@wisenber]

@@steverogers5956 unless you're carrying 5 days of water food and gear.

[@steverogers5956]

@@wisenber Totally agree that you don't want to use it and wouldn't choose to use it. I'd still rather have the ability as a last resort.

[@wisenber]

@@steverogers5956 I have a decent roll in a lightly laden boat. Bear in mind, that you're generally not going to unintentionally tip in calm conditions. If your dromedary bag or something else heavy isn't secure to the bottom, it'll fall to the underside of your deck. That being said, I've not had the need for a roll in thousands of miles of sea kayaking. In contrast, it's rare not to need one in my whitewater boat on anything above Class II.

[@Novafreak64]

Maybe someday

[@peterwhatley542]

Age means nothing it’s desire

[@AgileWoodsman]

Not age but health condition. It affects older folks more frequently but can affect anyone.

[@gizmorow21]

Waiting for someone to invent self righting one

[@chicklechives]

Isn't there a safety element to it? A swimmer is very exposed

[@datapro007]

The short answer is yes, you need a roll. Deal with it.

[@chicklechives]

You need friends or a club, not professional instruction

[@lewy1]

Swimming sucks