Kayak Rolling Clinic

General Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the clinic, participants will be able to confidently roll their kayak in class 0 or calm, sheltered waters.

Clinic Details

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

It is highly recommended that participants have Basic Kayak Skills certification or equivalent skill and knowledge.

Paddling Experience

Participants must be able to perform a controlled and calm wet exit.

Minimum Course Length

2 hours minimum.

Class Ratio

1 instructor:6 participants

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Kayak Rolling Instructor or Level-2 Instructor is required to teach this course.

Environmental Conditions and Sea State

Conditions should not exceed water class 0. Please see Water Class Definitions or a specific description of all water classifications.

Participant Assessment

While there is no formal certification with this level, assessment will still be made through practical exercises with a focus on developing the participant’s awareness and rolling skills as well as a personal roadmap to future learning.

A skills checklist is available for this level and instructors are encouraged to use it to assist in both decision making and communication about a student’s progress. Refer to Assessment Guidelines for Skills Courses for details on pass/fail guidelines.

Kayak Rolling Clinic Summary

Paddling Skills

• Warm-up Exercises
• Wet Exit
• Safe Body Mechanics
• Rolling Progressions
• Learning Aids

Knowledge

• Kayak Fit and Equipment
• Heritage

Paddling Skills

Warm-up Exercises

The participant will participate in a series of warm-up and stretching exercises which focus on movements and muscle groups used in the roll (for example, hamstrings, shoulders, arms and back).

Wet Exit

The participant will release the spray skirt and exit the kayak in a controlled and confident manner.

General Description

Developed through a series of challenges that increase confidence and skill, the participant will be able to capsize the kayak while underway and braced inside the cockpit.

Teaching Note

Emphasis is on increasing time underwater before exiting to a suggested 5 seconds and hanging on to the paddle and boat upon surfacing.

Safe Body Mechanics

The participant will give examples of techniques to reduce the risk of personal injury from rolling. This includes discussing proper body position (for both set-up and rolling) to help reduce body strain or injury.

Rolling Progressions

The participant will demonstrate one or more rolling progressions such as sweep or forward-finishing roll, C to C, or the back deck roll, depending on their flexibility, body type and fitness level.

Learning Aids

The participant will observe the practical application of a variety of learning aids for further practice, such as:

• an avataq or paddle float,
• a variety of Greenland and Euro paddles,
• goggles and/or nose plugs,
• video camera, or
• bow rescue.

Knowledge

Kayak Fit and Equipment

The participant will:

• demonstrate the proper adjustment of the foot pegs, back-band and/or thigh braces for a proper fit for rolling, and
• state the appropriate paddle length for rolling based on body dimensions.

Heritage

The participant will discuss the heritage and history of rolling as well as the influence of Inuit on the creation and history of kayaking.

Teaching Note

Please see Kayak History and Heritage Resources for more resources.