If you have assumed the role of teacher you have the future of kayaking in your hands. Students who learn proper technique and then practice it will be the kayakers who can optimize their time on the water but also teach proper technique to future students. In the last article we addressed the first three areas of instruction:
-Roll Instruction Progression
-Bow rescue progression with distinct phases
The knee Lift
In this article we will teach the steps for a low resistance twisting sweep roll. This is a safe and protected roll, because the torso stays near the surface and moves smoothly to an upright position. This roll protects your shoulder from injury by keeping your leading arm in front of your torso and by utilizing the large and powerful knee and torso muscles to right the boat. Because this roll is smooth, quick, and fluid, it works well in a variety of conditions from huge surf, to serious steeps. This roll works for many different body types, from the young and gumby-like, to those who are stiff, and not as flexible as they used to be. Some other rolls require a wind-up that can be a challenge in a deep wide boat. This roll technique starts the boat rotation immediately, so it excels with any boat design.
Other excellent rolling styles and teaching progressions exist, so if you know one, set it aside while you learn this roll. With an open mind you will be best able to learn this easy version of the kayak roll. In time, you’ll build on this foundation to incorporate your personal style. You’ll find this roll to be adaptable: you can finish at 90 degrees to the boat, // or scull forward to finish over the front deck. Focus on technique! Poor form rolls of any style don’t work as well, look sloppy, and leave the paddler exposed.
Sweep
In the “sweep”, the boat rotation occurs as the paddle sweeps to perpendicular. Sequence:
1. Performing boat rotations from capsize to upright (see previous article)
2. The set-up position
3. The finish position
4. Direction of movement
5. Sweeping with no pressure
6. Twisting to the perfect finish
7. Putting it together, gradually going into deeper water
exposed
The Set-up position
The set-up position helps the student orient into a protected position. To curl into this position tuck the head and torso to the outside of the set-up thigh with forearms on the boat. Do not tuck directly forward because that position makes it more difficult to get your hands and blade into position above the surface. Tucking directly forward also keeps your torso from initiating the motion in the correct direction out away from the boat. The blade has to be on the water before the boat can roll, so once the entire paddle is in the air, place the forward blade on the water.
Hold the paddle lightly in both hands. Wiggling fingers will release a tight grip. A tight grip translates tension to the rest of your body making it more likely to pull the blade down, which will hurt the roll. A gentle grip is important.
To review, the set-up starts with your head to the side, with your forearms against the boat. The blade is floating on the water. Loosen the fingers and feel cool air on them before starting the sweep. Be patient. The set-up is the foundation for a roll that works, so perform it exactly!
The Finish Position
The finish position is the targeted position as the student comes out of the water. To assist in developing a smooth and resistance-free rolling motion, advising an exaggerated blade angle in the finish position is a good teaching tool. At the finish knuckles should be curled back to the roll-side shoulder with elbow forward.
Students and instructors alike will find the finish position as a good checkpoint to ensure the correct form has been used.
The finish position is also helpful with avoiding painful shoulder injuries. Shoulder injuries can occur by the instinctive action of lifting the head while pulling down and back on the paddle. In this position the shoulder is most vulnerable to muscle tears or shoulder dislocation. At the beginning of the roll the shoulder is well protected with the elbow in front of the chest. To keep the shoulder safe throughout the roll, twist the torso and watch the blade. Any shoulder pain is an indicator that something is wrong! Furthermore, to stay balanced hands should remain centered on the paddle shaft.
Here are the key points of the finish position:
• Torso twisted
• Look down the shaft
• Hands loose
• Knuckles curled back to shoulder and elbows thrust forward
• Hands centered on the paddle shaft
Starting movement in the correct direction
When upside down, the normal tendency is to pull down. But underwater, pulling down results in the paddle going to the bottom and heavy resistance on the blade. This illusion of support kills the roll.
Instead, use the torso to sweep the blade away in a wide arc. Think of the blade floating on the surface in the set-up, then slicing through the water to the finish.
You can practice a false sweep. This exercise may help the paddler relax and move the torso in the correct direction, while keeping the paddle gliding lightly near the surface.
Another useful drill is trying the starting motion from a right-side up position. This requires the instructor to hold the boat to keep it from capsizing.
Sweeping with no pressure
Effortless rolls are done with the blade angle neutral throughout the roll.
With your hands loose on the shaft, imagine letting the paddle blade float across the surface of the water.
A climbing blade angle causes many paddlers to muscle their rolls, finishing with a lot of pressure on the blade. This leads to a failed roll or a less desirable and exposed finish. Resistance on the blade causes a lifting of the head, which disengages the rolling knee.
Remember, effortless rolls are done with a gentle grip so the blade angle can stay neutral throughout the roll.
Rolling the knuckles back is an important step because it controls the blade angle.
Keep the back hand as a pivot while jutting the elbow forward. Remember to roll the knuckles back to the shoulder.
Pressure and resistance on the sweeping blade make it impossible to do an effortless roll. In an ideal roll there is no resistance because the backhand moves toward the shoulder immediately. The back arm takes a smooth continuous motion from setup to the finish position.
Right-side up, practice moving the back hand from the lap to the knuckles back, elbow forward finish position.
Twisting to the perfect finish
Twisting the torso to move the blade engages the knee that rolls the boat. Practice twisting from the finish forward to take the blade toward the foot.
The shaft is moving only because the body is twisting. This twisting motion moves the body and blade to the finish while maintaining pressure on the rolling knee.
Once capsized, when moving away from the set-up position, it is important to apply pressure only to the rolling knee. If both knees are pressuring the thigh braces, it can be very difficult to roll the kayak. Extending the torso out starts the pressure in the rolling knee, then twisting the torso finishes the boat rotation.
Putting it together, gradually going deeper into the water
When helping someone roll, the instructor must decide when to support the student out of the water. Support helps them relax and hear your instruction. However, it is also important for the student to practice the correct set-up position without assistance. They can then do false sweeps with no pressure on the blade.
Holding the paddle in such a way that a student becomes accustomed to using it to get upright can be counter-constructive. Rather, show the correct direction of movement and have it performed to satisfaction. A touch can indicate the correct direction, as can splashes on the water if the student can open her eyes under water.
Your student may experience more than one problem, but keep in mind they can focus on only one solution at a time. Your students tend to under-perform each motion, so it useful to over-exaggerate the goal. This strategy will help the student achieve the ideal. Noseplugs improve the comfort level and learning curve, and many instructors believe a facemask can help as well.
Be sure to give the student clear mental checkpoints (e.g., wait for cool air on their hands before leaving set-up). Often a student needs review of a drill previously covered. Frequently that means doing successive boat rotations for a reminder of which knee gets activated. When helping someone through any drill, be fanatical about keeping the pressure light on the paddle blade and the head down.
Teaching is challenging but it can be one of the most rewarding parts of teaching paddling!
Adapted from “The Kayak Roll!” which demonstrates and explains rolling for recreational paddlers. This major video collaboration captured the 90 years of rolling experience of author Kent Ford , Phil and Mary DeRiemer , and Dan Crandall.