An Eskimo Roll is the maneuver through which one recovers from capsizing in a Kayak while staying in the kayak. Practicing helps you maintain your balance and control of your kayak. There are basically four components of an Eskimo Roll: Setup, Sweep, Snap, and Recovery.
Step 1
SETUP: Get in the kayak and attach the spray skirt. Grasp your paddle normally, lean forward and to the left with your paddle against the left side of the kayak so it's as close to the water as possible, make sure the front blade of your paddle is parallel to the waterline.
Step 2
SWEEP: Capsize yourself and reach up and break the surface of the water with your paddle. Ensure the paddle is level above the waterline. Begin a sweeping motion away from the bow of the boat. Make sure your head is the last thing out of the water, if you come up head first you'll go straight back under
Step 3
SNAP: Finally, when the kayak begins to roll, straighten your body, and continue the sweeping motion. Then very quickly, snap your hip up and continue the roll.
Step 4
RECOVERY: Gravity takes over, and the rotating kayak will literally force your body out of the water as it rotates underneath you.
Tips
Try to keep your right hip and your right knee pressed up against the underside of the deck. This helps ensure your upper body emerges from the water. - Keep your balance after righting. Many newbies flip right on over after rolling up successfully, due to the inertia of the 'sweep' and 'snap' movements.
- You should practice until you can perform all the steps in one fluid motion and practice on both sides.
Graduate to slowly flowing water and get comfortable there before trying to use the roll in rapids or waves. - Learn to roll in a boat which is as rounded as possible, as more rounded boats are easier to roll, once you have learned to roll a rounded boat, try rolling a slightly less rounded boat, then carry on working your way up to boats which are extremely slab sided. Polo boats are a very good boat to practice in. They are designed for quick recovery during play.
- When initiating the roll lean forward to your front deck. At the end of the sweep you should be far back on your back deck ready to recover.
- Keep your leading arm straight throughout the motion; this will ensure you get a clean, wide sweep.
Warnings
- Learning and practicing Eskimo Rolls should only be done with qualified instructors. You don't necessarily need a paid instructor (even though professional expedition leaders will say you do) to practice the roll, you just need someone who knows what they're doing to help you.
- Pools and small lakes make good practice spots. Make sure they're deep enough and free of underwater obstructions so that you won't hit your head.
Before learning the Eskimo roll, you should first learn how to come out of the kayak properly when capsized.
Things You'll Need
- Kayak and paddle
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
- Spray skirt
- Instructor or friend
- Body of water
- helmet
