Kayak Rolling Cross Reference Guide
Copyright © Michael Daly 2002-2005 |
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Click here to go to the next article; which is about Emergency preparations for Kayak Expeditions.
Assisted Rolls for Future Reference |
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Assisted rolls are those that rely on a paddle, float or other device to complete the roll. |
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# | NAME | TYPE | ORIGIN | SOURCE | COMMENTS |
1 | Advanced Brace Roll | Brace | M | Dutky |
Advanced version of the C-C. Dutky considers the C-C to be a step towards learning this roll. |
2 | Angel Roll | Brace | G |
Alternate name for the Butterfly Roll |
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3 | Armpit Roll 1 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
One arm sweep roll can be used to simulate rolling with an injury. In Greenland competition, you must hold the paddle tip pressed against your shoulder (above or beside your armpit); you are not allowed to actually clamp the end of the paddle under your armpit. Some paddlers do this reference as a brace roll ; the sweep is for position only, the brace completes the roll. |
4 | Armpit Roll 2 | Sweep | G | Stamer |
Like Armpit Roll 1. But the end of the paddle is held in the teeth! Also mentioned in Hutchinson where he quotes an historical record by David Crantz “History of Greenland” 1767. |
5 | Assisted Hand Roll | Brace | M |
Use of floating object (paddle, PFD, foam block) to provide buoyancy in hand roll. Usually a learning technique. Also may use non-floating object for future reference ; such as hand paddle or swimming glove (w/ webbed fingers) etc. |
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6 | Back Deck Roll | Sweep | M | Whiting | Alternate name for the Rodeo Roll 1 |
7 | Back Pawlata | Brace | M | Hutchinson | Alternate name for the Steyr roll. |
8 | Backhand Roll | Brace | G | Killen | Alternate name for Butterfly Roll. |
9 | Backward Extended Roll | Sweep | G | Cunningham | Alternate name for Reverse sweep roll 1 |
10 | Backward Sweep Roll | Sweep | G | Cunningham | Alternate name for Reverse sweep roll 1 |
11 | Behind the Back Roll | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | A reverse sweep roll with the paddle held behind the back. |
12 | Behind the Back Sculling Roll | Sweep | G | Unold | Alternate name for Sculling Roll 4 |
13 | Brace Roll | Brace | M | Dutky | Dutky’s term for C-C. |
14 | Bombproof Roll |
Not a roll in itself. But a term to describe a roll that rarely fails regardless of conditions for future reference. |
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15 | Butterfly Roll 1 | Brace | G | Nystrom |
To do a butterfly roll to the right side: |
16 | Butterfly Roll 2 | Brace | G | Luby |
Hold the paddle at the center of the loom with your right hand. Lay the paddle on the left gunnel as you tuck forward and capsize to the left. Sweep the paddle straight out at the surface of the water and away from the boat; hip snap just before you reach full extension. You will come up in a upright position with your paddle slightly underwater. |
17 | Canoe Roll | Brace | M |
Start with paddle forward on canoe float bag. Sweep out to side in low brace position. Brace down and hip snap up. Can be done similarly in a kayak. Similar toReverse Sweep Roll 1 except that the setup is forward. |
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18 | C-C | Brace | M | Dutky |
Pronounced “see to see”. Dutky has an excellent description of the roll technique, but doesn’t call it a C-C! |
19 | C-C with layback | Brace | M |
Many paddlers do this for future reference. But it’s considered bad form. It often is a sweep roll that is abbreviated by punching down with the paddle; (sweep C-C or Sweep to C) or a C-C without the forward recovery. |
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20 | C1 Screw Roll | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
A low brace roll used in canoes (C1 and OC1). Starting from a forward setup; the paddle is swept to roughly 90 degrees in a low brace position, and the paddle pushes down, recovering over the foredeck. Specified for a single blade paddle; it can be done with a double blade for future reference. |
21 | C1 Steyr Roll | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
A low brace roll used in canoes (C1 and OC1). Starting from a layback setup, the paddle is swept to roughly 90 degrees in a low brace position and the paddle pushes down, recovering over the foredeck. Specified for a single blade paddle, it can be done with a double blade. If this were done as a full sweep instead of a brace; it would be very much like the Rodeo Roll 1. |
22 | Combat Roll |
Not a roll in itself, but a term that describes a roll that is reliable in real conditions. For some, that’s a C-C, for others, a sweep roll ; whatever works for future reference. |
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23 | Crooked Elbow Roll | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Standard Greenland Roll 2 |
24 | Cross Arm Roll 1 | Brace | G | Qajaq USA |
Like the storm roll, but with arms crossed to simulate arms tangled in a harpoon line. |
25 | Cross Arm Roll 2 | Brace | G | Killen |
Like Cross Arm Roll 1, but while 1 relies on levering the paddle off the bottom of the upturned hull; this one does not. As a future reference, the paddle is held in the combat position; and the outboard hand is crossed over the inboard, grasping the blade about midway to the tip. The paddle is then rotated so this tip is placed against the inboard upper arm. |
26 | Cross Bow Roll | Sweep | M | Kayak Rolling Primer |
Wind up and capsize is as for a normal screw roll. Under water the paddle is crossed over the bow and swept out in the opposite direction. The paddle finishes under the boat, so it must be released as the roll finishes. Many variations are possible. |
27 | Cross Deck Roll | Brace | M | Dubside |
See also Opposite Arm Roll |
28 | Crucifixion Roll 1 | ? | M | Hoffmeister |
Not to be confused with the Crucifixion Hand Roll |
29 | Double Norsaq Roll | Brace | M | Hoffmeister |
Another interesting roll from Dubside. Take a norsaq in each hand and hold the arms straight out to the side. Turn the body so the arms are parallel to the keel and fall backwards into the water. The norsaqs appear to be brought together underwater to generate the force to lift the paddler back up. Video clip. |
30 | Draw Roll | Brace | M | Daly |
If you know the difference between a draw and a scull to move a kayak sideways, you know the difference between a draw roll and a sculling roll. I do it from a layback position and do a series of draw strokes to right the kayak. Not an elegant or low force roll, but a novelty. |
31 | Dry Head Back Deck Roll | Sweep | M | Whiting |
Variant of Rodeo Roll 1. More of a WW trick than a roll. The kayak spins on its bow and the paddler keeps his head dry. Also called Dry Roll. |
32 | Dry Roll | Sweep | M | Kayak Wiki |
Alternate name for Dry Head Back Deck Roll |
33 | Eskimo Storm Roll | Brace | G | Hutchinson | |
34 | Float Roll | Brace | G | Stamer |
Use of a float intead of a paddle to assist in rolling. Has been used in Greenland for centuries with skin or bladder floats according to Stamer. Unlike the Roll with hunting float; where the float is used to impede the roll for future reference. |
35 | Forward Brace Roll | Brace | M | Gray |
Sounds a bit like the Headstand roll. An obvious way to recover from chest sculling. |
36 | Forward Extended Roll | Sweep | G | Cunningham | Alternative name for Standard Greenland Roll |
37 | Greenland Crooked-Arm Roll | Sweep | G | Bolonsky |
Like the Standard Greenland Roll 1, except the paddle is held in the crook of theinboard elbow instead of the hand. I often wonder if it based on a misunderstanding by Bolonsky of the Crooked Elbow Roll |
38 | Greenland Roll | Sweep | G | Hutchinson | Same as Standard Greenland Roll 1 |
39 | Headstand | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
More of a brace than a roll, but a finishing hip flick does it. |
40 | Helicopter Roll | Brace | M | Killen |
Spin the paddle around your neck and then in the air over your head. Place the paddle in water on your onside. Place your onside hand palm down on the hull near the gunwale on the offside. Collapse to the offside. When inverted, push your onside hand up, out and over the floating paddle, catching the paddle shaft with theback of your hand. Then finish as per a Butterfly Roll for future reference. |
41 | Horizontal Sculling Roll | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | See Sculling Roll 1 |
42 | King Island Roll | Brace | A | Hutchinson | Similar to Nunivak Island roll, according to H. |
43 | Kotzebue | Brace | A | Hutchinson | Similar to the Put Across 2, but for a single blade paddle. |
44 | Lean Back | Brace | M | Hutchinson | Alternate name for the Steyr roll. |
45 | Modified Sweep Roll 1 | Sweep | U |
A sweep roll that is terminated before the full sweep is completed; resulting in the paddler in seated position rather than in a layback. Nonetheless, the paddle is swept as per a normal sweep roll, but the sweep stops at about 90 degrees and then the sweep reverses finishing forward. The paddler ends up in the combat position rather than a layback. The sweep stroke is in a high brace position throughout |
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46 | Modified Sweep Roll 2 | Sweep | U |
As per Modified Sweep Roll 1, except that the paddler switches from a high brace sweep to a low brace sweep when the direction is reversed. |
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47 | Modified Sweep Roll 3 | Sweep | U | Luby |
As per Screw Roll. But with the hip rotation accelerated to bring the roll to a conclusion with a paddle sweep of only 90 – 100 degrees. No layback – paddler ends in combat position. |
48 | Modified Sweep Roll 4 | Brace | M | See Sweep C-C. | |
49 | Mummy Roll | Brace | M | Walden Qajaq Society |
Start and end in layback position, maintaining contact with the deck the whole time. A norsaq (throwing stick) or other object is used to assist in the roll. Very much like theCrucifixion Roll if done without assist. Hutchinson uses a similar technique in learning a hand roll. |
50 | No Hands Spine Roll | Sweep | G | Hoffmeister |
No hands version of the Spine Roll. Stick the GP vertically inside a tight fitting PFD, so that it sticks straight up into the air. Then perform a “spine roll” with no hands… |
51 | Nunivak Island Roll | Brace | A | Hutchinson |
Similar to Kotzebue. But with the paddler lying inside the cockpit of the kayak; (no bulkheads in these kayaks). |
52 | One Arm Roll | Sweep | G |
Alternate name for the Armpit Roll 1 |
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53 | One Blade Rear Deck Roll | Brace | M |
Set up as per reverse screw, sweep upper blade across body in front of face, pivoting paddle on lower hand. Maintain contact with rear deck. |
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54 | One Hand Roll | Brace | G | Luby | Alternate name for the Butterfly Roll |
55 | Opening Blossom Roll | Brace | G |
Alternate name for the Butterfly Roll |
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56 | Opposite Arm Roll | Brace | M | Dubside |
See also Cross Deck Roll |
57 | Outrigger Roll | Sweep | M | Unold |
A training roll. Attach one paddle to the rear deck so that it extends perpendicular to the kayak. Invert so that the paddle sweeps through the air. Using a second paddle, scull up to the surface against the resistance of the first paddle. |
58 | Paddle Float Roll | Brace | G |
Use paddle float on end of paddle to assist. Often derided as just a learning technique. Could be a sweep or brace. But it leads to a poor sweep and an easy brace – hence my classification of the type. Has been used in Greenland for centuries with skin or bladder floats according to Stamer. |
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59 | Paddle held behind back | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Standard Greenland Roll 3 |
60 | Paddle Flip Roll | Brace | G | Killen |
Hold the paddle under the hull with the tip protruding on the offside and most of the paddle on the onside. Capsize to the offside so the paddle arcs through the air. Release the offside hand and pull down on the tip of the paddle with the onside hand so that the paddle arcs through the air and lands on the water pointing out to the side. Roll up as per the Put Across 1. Capsizing to the onside is an option that produces a very slow capsize. |
61 | Pawlata | Sweep | M | Hutchinson |
Extended paddle roll. Often used as a teaching aid. Named after the person who introduced it to European paddlers. It is a modified standard Greenland roll according to Heath. |
62 | PFD Roll | Brace | M | Killen |
If no paddle is available, remove PFD while inverted and use it to perform a Butterfly Roll. One of the few times you should remove your PFD while paddling. |
63 | Pivot Roll | Brace | M | Cromwell |
Simple, beginner’s roll with paddle leveraged off the hull under the coaming. Requires a non-feathered paddle. The Pivot roll will also work with a feathered paddle using a Paddle float, for example, as part of a reentry and Roll. |
64 | Push-up Roll | Brace | M | Stamer |
Article by Greg Stamer (quoted from Qajaq USA web forum): At the end of the “press” you can feather your paddle so that it doesn’t impede your upward motion. Mark Molina and I were playing around with this yesterday in several very light kayaks, including his latest Tom Yost kayak, and we could push the stern two feet or more above the surface. Upon crashing back down, the kayak can make a loud sound like a beating drum… As a (new?) variation we were playing around with converting this into a “vertical take-off roll or push-up roll” by letting go of the paddle and adding a hipsnap and handroll started; while in the air to recover rightside up. We were able to hit this “push-up” roll yesterday. But not entirely in the air … more of landing on the chine and then recovering. |
65 | Put Across 1 | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
Hutchinson shows the paddle floating to start |
66 | Put Across 2 | Brace | M | Ford |
Like Put Across 1. But with an extended paddle position start. Demonstrated for reference; but not named in the Ford video. Similar to the Kotzebue. But for a double blade paddle. |
67 | Queen’s Salute | Brace | M | Hignell | Basically, a Put Across 2. |
68 | Rebound Roll | Brace | M | Stamer |
Drop to the water with the paddle landing flat and immediately snap back up. |
69 | Reverse C-C Roll | Brace | M |
More accurate name of what is often taught as the Reverse Screw Roll |
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70 | Reverse Pawlata | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
Alternate name for the Steyr roll. |
71 | Reverse Screw Roll | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
Like the Steyr. But with the hands in the normal paddling position. For Hutchinson and others’ future reference; this is really a Reverse C-C that is misnamed. Some do teach it as truereverse sweep roll. The name is thus ambiguous. |
72 | Reverse sweep roll 1 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
For future reference, start from rear deck and sweep forward for a foredeck recovery. Paddle is held in a low brace position! The Greenland version of the Rodeo Roll 1 ; they differ in the setup. However, this version has the paddle held beside the shoulder ; in the Rodeo Roll, the paddle is held in front of the face for protection. |
73 | Reverse sweep roll 2 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Paddle behind neck – also in low brace position. |
74 |
Reverse sweep roll with paddle behind neck |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Reverse sweep roll 2. |
75 | Rodeo Roll 1 | Sweep | M | Whiting |
Whitewater roll comparable to the Reverse Sweep Roll 1. Setup is with paddle in front of face instead of to side. Capsize is to one side and the body sweeps the paddle under the kayak to recover on the opposite side. By contrast, the Reverse Sweep Roll 1 is initiated with the paddle held on one side. See also Rodeo Roll 2 for future reference. |
76 | Rodeo Roll 2 | Brace | M | Borud |
Popular name for Reverse Screw Roll. See also Rodeo Roll 1. |
77 | Roll with hunting float | Brace | GC | Qajaq USA |
Standard Greenland Roll with float lashed to side of kayak to impede rolling. Unlike the Float Roll where the float is used to provide support to roll. |
78 | Roll with person on back deck | Sweep | G | Killen |
Have a person hug the back deck as per a rear deck rescue of a swimmer. Capsize and roll using Standard Greenland Roll 1 . Success depends on using the sweep effectively from the start and getting a good, full hip rotation. Try it with someone on the foredeck – it’s usually harder since the foredeck is higher. |
79 | Rolling with paddle held in crook of elbow | Brace | GC | Qajaq USA | See Standard Greenland Roll. |
80 | Rolling with the arms crossed | Brace | GC | Qajaq USA | See Cross Arm Roll 1. |
81 | Screw roll | Sweep | G | Hutchinson |
Like the Pawlata, but with the hands in the normal (combat) paddling position. |
82 | Sculling roll 1 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Paddle held horizontally, in contact with the foredeck |
83 | Sculling roll 2 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | Paddle held under the kayak |
84 | Sculling roll 3 | Sweep | G | Stamer |
Start in layback position. Reach out to side and scull up to surface. No hip flick, back remains in contact throughout the roll. Greenlanders generally learn these sculling rolls before they learn other rolls. |
85 | Sculling roll 4 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Like Sculling Roll 1. But with the paddle held behind the back! |
86 | Sculling roll with paddle held horizontally on the foredeck | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Sculling Roll 1 |
87 | Sculling roll with paddle held horizontally on Isserfik | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | The isserfik is the deck beam at your back. |
88 | Sculling roll with paddle held under the kayak | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Sculling Roll 2 |
89 | Short Pawlata | Sweep | M | Hutchinson | Like the Pawlata. But with a short extended paddle position |
90 | Short Steyr | Brace | M | Hutchinson | Like the Steyr. But with a short extended paddle position. |
91 | Shotgun Roll | Sweep | G | Segal |
Alternate name for the Armpit Roll 1, since the paddle is held sort of like a shotgun, at least in the competition version of the roll. |
92 | Shoulder Flick | Brace | M | Daly |
Similar to Reverse C-C. Start on rear deck, lift one shoulder and rotate torso to push paddle to surface with that hand. Other shoulder remains in contact with deck. Inboard hand goes to underside of hull. Outboard hand sweeps out and shoulder is snapped back to deck with brace on paddle generating roll. (Shoulder flick replaces hip flick to roll kayak). |
93 | Slash Roll | Sweep | M | Pak |
Article by Alex Pak (quoted from Qajaq USA web forum): |
94 | Spine Roll | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Start from front deck with paddle held behind back along spine. Sweep out to a layback then recover to the start position. |
95 | Standard Greenland Roll 1 | Brace | GC | Heath | Also Greenland Roll in Hutchinson. |
96 | Standard Greenland Roll 2 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Like the Standard Greenland Roll 1. But with the paddle held in the crook of theoutboard elbow instead of the hand. Some folks call this the Crooked Elbow Roll. Contrast it with the Bolonsky’s Greenland Crooked Elbow Roll, where he holds it with the inboard elbow. I think that Bolonsky’s version is based on a misunderstanding of the roll. |
97 | Standard Greenland Roll 3 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | Standard roll with paddle behind neck. |
98 | Standard Greenland Roll 4 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
As per Standard Greenland Roll 3. But the paddle is used with a sculling motion. |
99 | Standard roll with paddle behind neck | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | See Standard Greenland Roll 3. |
100 | Stern Rudder Roll | Brace | G | Killen |
Setup with the paddle as if doing a stern rudder stroke. Move the far end of the paddle to the opposite gunwale and capsize. Change setup underwater to the Steyr Roll and recover. |
101 | Steyr | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
This is an interesting roll in that many paddlers think of it as a reverse of the Pawlata. In fact, it is usually taught as a Reverse C-C, albeit with an extended paddle. Since there is a significant sweep component, it probably would be best described as a reverse Sweep to C |
102 | Storm Roll 1 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Greg Stamer’s description of the Storm Roll and video clip. Hands grip the paddle as per a low brace. |
103 | Storm Roll 2 | Brace | M | Killen |
Variant on Storm Roll 1. While the former is a sweep roll, this one is a brace roll. The paddle is held roughly perpendicular to the keel with the inboard end on the upturned hull. The hands grip the paddle in a high brace position and the roll is done with a strong hip snap. |
104 | Sweep C-C | Brace | M |
The conventional C-C starts with a forward setup and the sweep is used solely to position the paddle for a brace. In the Sweep C-C, the sweep motion initiates a partial roll and the brace motion finishes it. Could also be considered a sweep roll terminating with a brace once the paddle is at 90 degrees to the kayak. Paddlers that use strength rather than technique often end up doing a Screw Roll as a Sweep C-C. |
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105 | Sweep roll | Sweep | M | Often, another name for Screw roll. However, sweep roll can be a general term for any roll that uses a sweep technique. | |
106 | Sweep to C | Brace | M | Alternate name for the Sweep C-C | |
107 | Ta Da Roll | Brace | G | Duncan | Alternate name for the Butterfly Roll 1. Video clip here |
108 | Throwing stick 1 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | Start tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
109 | Throwing stick 2 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward |
110 | Throwing stick 3 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Start tucked forward, finish leaning aft. Your sweeping hand must be palm-up during the roll. |
111 | Throwing Stick 4 | Brace | G | Cole |
Start forward, brace when throwing stick at right angles, finish aft. |
112 |
Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
Brace | GC | Qajaq USA | See Throwing stick 1 |
113 | Throwing stick, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward | Brace | GC | Qajaq USA | See Throwing stick 2 |
114 | Throwing stick, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft | Brace | GC | Qajaq USA | See Throwing stick 3 |
115 | Under The Paddle Roll | Brace | G | Killen |
Place the paddle in the water perpendicular to the keel with the inboard tip resting on the gunwale (if using a composite or plastic kayak, you may have to hold the tip lightly; SOF or foldables will hold the paddle by friction). Capsize away from the paddle causing the paddle to remain on the inverted hull. Reach around with the onside hand only, grab the paddle mid-shaft and roll, levering the paddle off the hull. This is a one hand roll. |
116 | Vertical Paddle Roll | Brace | G | Atlantic Kayak Tours |
A variation on the C to C. Hold the paddle vertically in the setup. Finish as per a C-C. Not a safe setup position as it leaves the paddler with an open shoulder joint at the start of the roll. |
117 | Vertical Power Roll | Brace | G | Killen |
Hold the paddle vertically while inverted. Push the tip of the paddle sharply out while pulling the lower hand sharply in and hip snap up. |
118 | Vertical sculling roll 1 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
The paddle is sculled vertically; and the paddler uses the sculling to roll up with a forward recovery. The paddle is lifted out of the water in the process. But remains vertical. The Qajaq USA web site has a good video clip of this. |
119 | Vertical sculling roll 2 | Sweep | G | Killen |
Hold the paddle vertically while inverted. Scull two or three times to generate lift on the paddle and hip snap up. |
120 | Vertical Storm Roll 1 | Brace | U | Hutchinson |
Paddle blade is driven deep into green water. The paddle arc is vertical at the start. |
121 | Vertical Storm Roll 2 | Brace | U | Alderson | Not the same as Hutchinson’s. |
122 | Vertical Take-off Roll | Brace | M | Stamer | See Push-up Roll |
123 | Window Shade Roll | Brace | G | Cunningham |
Similar to Butterfly Roll. But with a different start position. Hold the paddle in, say, the right hand with the paddle in the water parallel to the keel. Move your hand up and across your body until the forearm is horizontal across your chest and your right hand is near your left shoulder with palm up. Paddle remains parallel to the keel. Invert, push out to the side with the paddle, straighten your elbow and roll up as per Butterfly with a layback. |
Unassisted Rolls | |||||
Unassisted rolls are those that do not require any paddle or other device; these are typically hand rolls. |
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# | NAME | TYPE | ORIGIN | SOURCE | COMMENTS |
1 | Balance Brace Roll | Brace | G | David |
Start with balance brace (without paddle), then hand roll up. Emphasis is on leg drive. |
2 | Body Roll | Sweep | GC | See Straight Jacket Roll; AKA No Hands Roll | |
3 | Bra Roll | Sweep | Hoffmeister |
A Straight Jacket Roll where the elbows are sticking out a bit. Not a proper no hands roll; the elbows allow for a cheat. |
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4 | Breaststroke Hand Roll | Brace | M | Olsen |
Keep body perpendicular to the boat. Bring shoulders up to the surface (face down) with arms straight out on either side, parallel to the keel. Rotate hands and sweep both hands upward, converting the motion to the breast stroke. Motion is gentle and repeated, like sculling with hands to surface, not just one powerful thrust. |
5 | Crucifixion Roll 2 | Brace | M | Killen |
Start with body in layback position with arms out to either side. Capsize and performTwo-handed, Backwards Leaning Hand Roll, recovering in the layback with arms out to side. |
6 | Elbow Roll | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Start tucked forward with one hand clasped behind neck, finish leaning aft (the off-hand can be flung over the hull as a counterweight). |
7 | Hand roll 1 | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
Two hands arc down while head lying against the rear deck. At surface, one arm swings to other side while second continues to brace down against water. |
8 | Hand roll 2 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA | Start tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
9 | Hand roll 3 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Start leaning aft, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward |
10 | Hand roll 4 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Start tucked forward, finish leaning aft. Your sweeping hand must be palm-up during the roll. Often done with the hand in a sculling motion at the end. |
11 | Hand roll 5 | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Holding an eight kilogram brick or stone (the off-hand can be flung over the hull as a counterweight). |
12 | Hand roll 6 | Sweep | G | Qajaq USA |
Any hand roll method with clenched fist. |
13 |
Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Hand roll 2 |
14 |
Hand roll, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Hand roll 3 |
15 |
Hand roll, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | See Hand roll 4 |
16 |
Hand roll with a clenched fist, start tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 6 |
17 |
Hand roll with a clenched fist, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 6 |
18 |
Hand roll with a clenched fist, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 6 |
19 |
Hand roll holding an Eight kilogram brick or stone, tucked forward, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 5 |
20 |
Hand roll holding an Eight kilogram brick or stone, sweep from stern to bow, finish tucked forward |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 5 |
21 |
Hand roll holding an Eight kilogram brick or stone, start tucked forward, finish leaning aft |
Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA | Variant of Hand roll 5 |
22 | Hooked Hand Roll | Brace | M | Hutchinson |
Like Hand Roll 1. But with two hands hooked together during arc motion. |
23 | No Hands Roll | Sweep | GC |
See Straight Jacket Roll; AKA Body Roll |
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24 | No Hip Snap Hands Roll | Brace | M | Dutky | Similar to Hand Roll 1. |
25 |
One Hand, Backwards Leaning Hand Roll |
Brace | M | Dutky | |
26 | One Hand Roll | Brace | M | Olsen |
Like Hand Roll 1. But with one hand. |
27 | Straight Jacket Roll | Sweep | GC | Qajaq USA |
Roll with the arms crossed, arms must stay pressed to chest. AKA Body Roll, No Hands Roll |
28 |
Two-handed, Backwards Leaning Hand Roll |
Brace | M | Dutky | |
29 |
Two-handed forward setup, forward recovery hand roll |
Brace | M | I saw someone do this in a WW OC1!!! | |
30 | Two-handed Hands Roll | Brace | M | Dutky | |
31 |
Two-stroke, Backwards Leaning Hands Roll |
Brace | M | Dutky | |
32 | Two-stroke Hands Roll | Brace | M | Dutky |
Legend | ||||
The following abbreviations and notations are used: |
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Name |
The name most commonly used to refer to the roll. I have taken the liberty of shortening names; where they include a description of the roll. These have been shortened to capture the essence of the roll with the comments including the distinguishing characteristics. E.g. Sculling Roll 1 etc. The numbers are only to distinguish the same name used for different rolls. Important note for reference: The names of some of the Greenland rolls are now available in Greenlandic on the Qajaq USA web site. For copyright reasons, I haven’t included them here. |
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Type |
Sweep or Brace according to Dutky’s classification of rolls, based on the mechanics of the roll, not the name. A sweep roll is one where the righting moment is generated primarily by a sweeping or sculling motion of the paddle or righting device. A brace roll is one where the righting moment is generated primarily by a bracing action. |
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Origin |
The primary origin of the roll. Rolls that are used in multiple places are documented as to their most likely origin, otherwise listed as Unknown. |
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A | Aleut or Alaskan | G |
Greenland – if followed by a C, it is a competition roll |
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W | Western Canadian Arctic | M | Modern – developed by non-arctic paddlers | |
C | Central Canadian Arctic | U | Unknown | |
E | Eastern Canadian Arctic | |||
Source |
Documented source of reference and information on the roll. Book, web page, individual etc. This is not the creator of the roll, only the documenter. |
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Comments | Information pertaining to the type, reference, origins etc. |
Trick Rolls | ||
Name | Comments | Source |
Air Scull Roll |
Invert and hold the paddle above the hull of the kayak. Scull the paddle in the air to provide “purchase”. Then perform a Straight Jacket Roll. Easy, right? Attributed to the infamous Dubside |
Post on Qajaq USA website |
Dry “Widget” Roll |
A roll where one keeps a “widget” (hat, cigarette, doll etc); dry by placing it on the underside of the kayak hull as the paddler inverts. When righting, the paddler reaches around the hull from the other side and retrieves the widget, keeping it dry. Also known as the “Dry Hat Roll”, the “Dry Cigarette Roll”; the “Save The Baby Roll”, “Top Hat Roll” and others. |
Various reference including Hutchinson |
Kayak Swap |
Two paddlers capsize next to each other and wet exit discreetly. They exchange kayaks and roll up. Best done in murky water or where a low angle of view prevents the intended audience from seeing what happens underwater. |
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Leg Roll |
From Freya: “Here is another “trick roll”: stick your head inside the kayak, with the tummy up and back down. Grab the footpegs, capsize and roll up WITH YOUR LEGS! (Done 2 x in a creative “Fun with Foster” class at Seakayak Georgia symposium 2004; another time playing around with Peter Unold in Denmark…)” |
Hoffmeister |
Log Roll |
One paddler stands on the rear deck of the kayak and walks around the kayak hull as the sitting paddler rolls the kayak. Moreover, I saw a video clip where a paddler wrapped a towel around the bow of his kayak and had his Jack Russell Terrier walk around the kayak; while he rolled. Cute! |
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No Show Continuous Storm Roll. |
As the regular continous storm roll. But the paddle stays unseen below the surface of the water; not on top of the hull. |
Hoffmeister |
Paddle on hull |
Invert, place the paddle parallel to the keel on the bottom of the hull; (now up in the air). Let everyone know you’re still alive by moving your hands etc. However, when you are ready, wiggle your hips, causing the paddle to fall in the water on one side. Grab the paddle and roll up with something like a Butterfly roll. |
Killen |
Rotary Roll |
Invert and sweep the paddle in a circle. Keep sweeping until you run out of air. Then do a sweep roll to right yourself. Also called a 360 Roll (or 720, 1080… ). |
Killen |
Rotoroll |
Perform an Under The Paddle Roll repeatedly. AKA Perpetual Storm Roll. |
Killen |
Definitions | |
Combat grip |
Paddler holds the paddle in the normal grip position – no extension. |
Combat Position |
A paddler is in the combat position if they are holding the paddle with the hands in a normal grip position and are sitting ready to paddle. |
Extended paddle |
A paddle is extended if held with one hand at or near the tip of one blade and the other on the shaft. |
High brace position |
Paddle held as in a high brace, with the palms up and the power face of the blade down. A safe high brace position keeps the elbows close to the body and below the shoulders. Extending the arm in a high brace puts the shoulder at risk. |
Hip Flick | See Hip Snap |
Hip Rotation |
A slow, measured rotation of the kayak about its long axis . Named for the hip motion. But the action is usually initiated with the knee against the knee brace. Used in conjunction with many sweep rolls; where a more gradual recovery is required than in brace rolls. Keep this for future reference. |
Hip Snap |
A rapid rotation of the kayak around its long axis. Named due to the hip rotating quickly. But the action is usually initiated with the knee against the knee brace. Used frequently in brace rolls where rapid recovery is required. |
Layback |
A position where the paddler’s shoulders and head are resting against the rear deck of the kayak. If the layback doesn’t put the body in contact with the rear deck, the paddler will not have minimized their rotational inertia. |
Low brace position |
Paddle held as in a low brace, with the palms down and the power face of the blade up. Good technique keeps the arms to the side, elbows above the hands and the body leaning slightly forward. |
Short extended paddle |
Like an extended paddle. But with one hand at or near the root of one blade and the other on the shaft. Simply an extension less than the full extended paddle position. |
Tuck |
Body position where the torso is bent forward to touch the foredeck of the kayak. |
Sources | |
Alderson, Doug | Sea Kayaker Magazine, Dec, 2001, pp 49-52 |
Arima, Eugene |
“Contributions to Kayak Studies”, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Mercury Series, Canadian Ethnology Service, Paper 122. 1991. Call number: E53 C3 no.122″ |
Atlantic Kayak Tours | Web site includes rolling information. |
Bolonsky, Adam | Wavelength Magazine, in June/July 1999 |
Borud, Peik | Personal communication |
Cole, Cindy | Sea Kayaker Magazine, Feb 1997, pp 36-37 |
Collins, Loel |
Kayak Rolling ; The Black Art Demystified. ISBN# 0953195686. I’ve not seen this book and can’t comment on it. But I’ll list it here so you know it exists for reference. |
Cromwell, Tom |
Sea Kayaker Magazine, Winter 1992 issue, page 54 |
Cunningham, Christopher |
“Building the Greenland Kayak – A Manual for its Construction and Use”. Ragged Mountain Press, 2003, ISBN 0-07-139237-8 |
Daly, Michael |
Shoulder Flick discovered while practicing various rear deck initiated rolls. Not sure if this is a known roll and if so, what its proper name is. Derived loosely on some variations of training exercises shown in the hand rolling section of Hutchison’s book. |
David, Gerry | From his web site Hand Rolling |
Dubside |
I first met this guy in South Carolina in a rolling course. He’s one of a kind and truly an outstanding kayak roller. He has recently won the rolling competition in the Greenland Championships in the International category. He can body roll a Feathercraft with a 25 inch beam. |
Duncan, Thomas | Post on Qajaq USA website |
Dutky, Paul |
“The Bombproof Roll and Beyond”, 1st ed., Menasha Press, 1993, ISBN 0-89732-085-9 (now in 2nd ed.) |
Ford, Kent | “Performance Sea Kayaking” video |
Gray, Larry | Found on NSW Sea Kayak Club web site |
Heath, John |
“The Kayak Roll”, appendix in Adney and Chapelle, “The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats Of North America”, Smithsonian Institute Press, 1983, ISBN 1-56098-296-9 |
Hignell, Rob | Creator of a rolling web page. Now supported by Atlantic Tours. There are copies on other web sites as well. |
Hoffmeister, Freya |
Post on Qajaq USA forum. Also trick rolls in a private e-mail from her. The “bra roll” was mentioned by Alex Pak on QajaqUSA and attributed to Freya. |
Hutchinson, Derek |
“Eskimo Rolling”, 2nd Ed., Ragged Mountain Press, 1992, ISBN 0-87742-365-3 (now in 3rd ed.) |
Kayak Wiki |
An online encyclopedia of kayaking. Kayak Wiki A good source of general kayaking information. |
Killen, Ray |
Taught to me at the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival by Ray (possibly with assistance of Margaret Killen) |
Luby, Jed |
Personal communication. Jed tells me he learned it from Fern Usen (Inukshuk Kayaking). But its origins remain unclear. |
Nystrom, Brian | Post on Qajaq USA forum |
Olsen, Kirk | Personal communication |
Pak, Alex | Post on Qajaq USA forum. |
Segal, Dan |
Post on Qajaq USA forum. I had never heard this term before this. |
Stamer, Greg | Personal communication |
Unold, Peter | Post on Qayaq USA Greenland Discussion Forum. |
Walden Qajaq Society |
Post on Qayaq USA Greenland Discussion Forum lead me to the web page. http://waldenqajaqsociety.org/on_about.html |
Whiting, Ken |
Paddler Magazine, in July/August 2001 – also on web site listed under Links |
Links | |
Hand Rolling |
Gerry David’s web site on a hand roll derived from a balance brace. |
Heath, John |
Videos of Greenland kayaking techniques for sale. “Rolling With Maligiaq” features the maneuvers that are described on the Qajaq USA site. |
A Kayak Rolling Primer |
This referencet is an excellent primer on kayak rolling originally written by Rob Hignell. It is often copied; not always with proper credit. Furthermore, the original url is no longer active and this link is to one supported by Atlantic Tours. Presented with permission of Rob Hignell. |
NSW Sea Kayak Club | Link to Larry Gray’s article on the Forward Brace Roll. |
Paddler Magazine | Article by Ken Whiting on the Rodeo Roll. |
Performance reference Video Rolling E-Book |
This is a decent web site, though ultimately it’s to get you to buy the videos. Kent Ford and company make a number of kayaking and canoeing videos and this is the e-book based on their rolling video. It shoes a couple of rolls – the Screw Roll and C-C and discusses alternative rolls briefly. |
Qajaq USA |
Qajaq USA web site: Capsize Maneuvers Performed at the Greenland Kayaking Championships There are also video clips on the web site as well as the names of the rolls in Greenlandic. |
Wisconsin Paddlers | Wisconsin Paddlers web site video clips page. |
E.J.’s Rolling | A web page of rolling advice from the infamous E.J. – Eric Jackson. Lots of useful advice on how not to fail in rolling. |
Peter Unold’s video page | A page with some photos and many video clips of Peter performing a variety of rolls. Quite good! |
Cheri Perry’s video page for reference |
Cheri is one of the best kayak rollers around. Her web site has several video clips of Cheri performing a variety of rolls. Views are from both above and below water. Quite good! |
Bombproofing Your Roll | More rolling advice from Eric Jackson. |
Wavelength Magazine | Article by Adam Bolonsky on the Crooked Arm Roll |
Rolling Videos and DVDs reference | ||
This is a non-exhaustive list of rolling videos and DVDs. I do not endorse any of these specifically. However, they are presented so that you have some idea of what’s out there. If you know of one not listed here, let me know.Note that there are several online video clips that are good. See the Links section above. |
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Rolling With Maligiaq | Heath, John |
I have “Rolling with Maligiaq” and it’s very good. The only source and reference I know of for this video is Jessie Heath’s web site. |
Greenlanders at Kodiak | Heath, John |
Greg Stamer speaks highly of “Greenlanders at Kodiak.” To quote from Qayaq USAThis is an older video that I learned most of the rolls from. Even better is to have this video and “Rolling with Maligiaq” so that you can compare how two very different and very talented athletes complete the same roll. John Petersen and Maligiaq have different styles, so you can learn a lot by studying their similarities and differences. The only source and reference I know of for this video is Jessie Heath’s web site. |
1st Roll |
The only place I’ve found that sells it seems to be: Newfound Boat Works |
Made by Jay Babina, designer of the Outer Island and a Greenland kayak aficionado. |
The Kayak Roll | Performance Video for reference |
Looks like another Kent Ford video – his stuff is usually good. With Dan Crandall, Mary DeRiemer, Phil DeRiemer, and Kent Ford. |
Grace Under Pressure: Learning Kayak Roll |
Tom DeCuir | Never seen it. It’s focussed on whitewater and has a very good reputation. |
EJ’s Rolling & Bracing | Eric Jackson |
Never seen it. Whitewater stuff. EJ’s someone to respect. |
Sea Kayaking: The Eskimo Roll | Moving Pictures |
Promised; but not available yet for future reference. These folks made “The Brent Reitz Forward Stroke Clinic” and others that have been positively reviewed, so there’s hope. |