What is the simplest roll and how would you go about performing it? Thanks.

I've just started myself with decked boats and learning the roll about a month back.

I took a class where the instructor taught the C to C roll. I had some issues with it and just couldn't get it consistant.

I purchased the \"The Kayak Roll\" DVD by Kent Ford after seeing the previews on Youtube . It looked simple and would work well for either my sit-inside or sit-on-top type kayaks.

After my second practice session in a friends pool I had a roll that was almost 100% bombproof and effortless in the pool. I'm now using it in real world conditions and only missed one out of 4 capsizes this past weekend.

I've definitely found it much easier to learn than the C to C roll, especially since I don't have gumby type flexibility. I've even been able to roll my Kaos sit-on-top.

From a beginners standpoint the DVD made learning a simple, reliable, and effortless roll possible.

Probably the simplest roll to execute is the the sweep to back deck of taught by Eric Jackson. You can see it here on video, it is #3:

www.exchile.com/KayakSchoolRollIdentifier.htm


After you are getting up consistently on one side you can go to the other side and experiment with other rolls. We also teach the traditiional C-to-C roll and the Sweep Roll to beginners, however the Sweep-to-Backdeck seems the easiest to master.

Good Luck!

Chris Spelius

Chris,
I have to ask:
What is the difference between the Twist&Slice and the SweepToBackDeck rolls?
I try to get into the \"variety\" of rolls - for teaching, and I can't really tell these two apart from your vids. So... why not ask the source .

scienceguy,
Get someone to teach you. It will be better for youi (short&long term) to get proper instruction. This way you get it \"dialed in\" without any bad habits.
My

Enjoy!
D

That is a great question. To a casual observer they do not look that much different but the body movement that brings you up is very different.

The back deck roll is simple, watch the video after you read the explanation. You torso, paddle and arm sweep as a unit out on the surface of the water till you actually can slink up almost laying on the back deck of the kayak. This is one way to get your body over the kayak without using much body movement or force. In a sense you have gone from tucked forward to standing up body position which lays you up on the back deck. NOW that you are up on the kayak laying back you will need to sit up quickly and take a stroke or it would be just as easy to continue and roll over back in the water. LAYING back on the back deck reduces the force FROM THE PADDLE or AND THE body movement needed to get the boat upright IN THE OTHER ROLLS. LAYING BACK OR STANDING UP IS NOT THAT COMPLEX.

This method does have its critics however. But it works and one could make the argument it could be the fastest to learn. I MYSELF WITH MY BIG LONG TORSO UP SET THE BALANCE OF THE KAYAK WITH ALL MY WEIGHT LAYING OUT ON THE BACK DECK EVEN IF IT IS ONLY FOR A SECOND BEFORE I STAND UP


The twist and slice roll harness's some body movementS that ARE almost magical in what it does. YOUR TORSO ROTATES and leans back only slightly. You paddle slices (not grabbing resistance) These two factors add up and you will be surprised out how you can pop up. I really like the advantages of this roll and generally feel that it is worth the little extra time one may need to invest into learning it. I think it is a little harder to learn this roll on ones own. The hip snap (as in the C to C) is not the major factor in bringing you upright. There is a real sweet spot. Though these roll look similar THEY ARE NOT. ONce you feel the difference you will understand. OF course I think all instructors should learn them all. This takes time. Then they can judge the advantages of each easier than if they stick with one.

But generally I think discussing which roll is better with someone that only does one roll is a bit like discussing politics, religion, or diet. And like lots of things the more you know about a subject the more open minded you become.

Chris Spelius
www.kayakchile.com

Thanks for the explanation Chris, I was wondering the same thing with the differences between the two.

I went and practiced the twist and slice roll today and on a few really hit the \"sweet spot\" where you feel absolutly no resistance at all and the boat comes up before you even know what you did.

I had a friend tape a few and one thing I really noticed is that I tended to lead with my head on quite a few (I know, I know, wrong thing to do) and end up powering out of the water with the paddle blade. I got upright but it was definitely strained in comparison to those that I kept my head lower and no paddle resistance.

Any trick to keeping that head down???

Look at the water or keep your ear to your shoulder

pool practice is good for this part...
concentrate on rolling the boat, whilst keeping your head underwater... exaggerate this part to the extreme in the pool, feel out that hip flick point, and get used to the boat being 'upright' though your head is still 'under'...
practice practice practice...

He who does not practice roll, practices swimming...

Rolling, can be easy, My advice find a roll you like then just practice practice practice. If you have a club that does pool sessions then sign up for them (its alot easier than learning to roll in a cold river)
Hope this helps ...

Sounds silly but try and bite your shoulder! if you think u are trying to do that whilst you are rolling then you'll find it keep your head down!
Give it a go, some people find it helps to have something to actually think about doing rather than just keeping there head down.

Personally i find the c to c roll the easyiest, this video explains it quite well