From Pool Roll to Combat Roll

One the most common difficulties my students have is increasing their success rate rolling in whitewater.  Nothing is more rewarding for a beginner than getting their first combat roll.  And nothing is more frustrating than continuing to swim.  Solidifying your combat roll of gives paddlers an unbelievable level of confidence.   Here’s how to do just that.

I look at the combat roll as a progression of skill it takes to get up right in differing situations.  I like to think about the differing physical conditions that make it harder to roll, easiest to hardiest

• In a warm pool, no gear, practice roll -> the pool roll
• In a pool, flipping on accident
• In a flat section of river, with gear on, for practice
• Practice rolling in moving water
• Flipping in easy whitewater, for practice & on accident
• Flipping in challenging whitewater, on accident -> the combat roll

Add to this the need to create a mental space where you are calm, collected and able to perform the roll as you can under the simple circumstances.  Hitting a rock, even lightly, can be unnerving for an accomplished paddler.

I like to think of it like learning to bicycle – sure, pedaling without training wheels was a great accomplishment.  But you’ve still got some work to do before you’re downhill mountain biking.  Your technical rolling skills and mental game will need significant improvement.

That being said, there are many easy exercises and strategies kayakers can use to improve their roll so they are consistently successful even in challenging situations

1. Go playboating. Spending a couple of hours surfing a hole will almost guarantee you opportunities to practice your roll.  As you generally will be playboating in areas that are safe to flip, its a better way to get some time in upside down.  You’ll also spend a fair amount of time working on bracing, something I consider more important than rolling.
2. Learn new rolls. Learn the back deck roll, dial up your offside, heck learn to hand roll.  All this time spent rolling will improve your hipsnap, give you the knowledge that you can get back up in all sorts of ways and increase your comfort level underwater.
3. Challenge yourself in the pool.  Try to roll 20 times in a row with no break.  Roll with a 5 lb. weight in your PFD.  Roll with your boat 1/4 full of water.  If you’ve mastered the pool, make it difficult.
4. Practice in the river.  Find yourself a nice, deep wavetrain with a pool at the end of it.  Start lower down, where the current is slower.  Have a trusted buddy there to help you with an eskimo rescue if you need one.  You’re going to have to up the ante if you want real, good practice.