Without a doubt the most mysterious and confusing part of learning to kayak is the roll. For many paddlers learning to roll is an all consuming process. From dealing with holding your breath to figuring out the 360 degree rotation it is at best foreign for most folks. Then once you have mastered your technique in the pool and take it to the river the current adds another variable.
While this all sounds somewhat confusing the reality is with good beta and some practice anyone can make it down the river without a swim. Join us over the next few weeks as we not only break down the roll but provide you with real world experience and examples on how to hit that roll where it really counts…the river. We are working on our second title ‘The Combat Roll’ and will share in rich media format much of the information covered on the DVD. Check back with us over the next few weeks as we provide the most in depth resource available on the combat roll.
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are paddling, there will always be those rapids with the power to make you shutter at the mere thought of running them. Some of them will remain that way, but as your experience and talent progress you will slowly start tickin’ em off the checklist. Fear is often what keeps you from running the rapid in the first place, and eventually what can guide you down safely to the bottom. Check it out as Shane gives a few pointers on how to conquer your nemesis. Read more…
The seal launch is one of those skills that you probably never practice but is essential to know. Check out below as Shane gives some pointers to keep you from landing flat or on your head… Read more…
Everybody wants to know how to boof. The boof is, without a doubt, the most essential weapon in your creeking arsenal. There are several key points to making this move effective; approach, stroke, and body placement are the three that we are going to focus on in this segment. We’ll allow Shane to explain… Read more…
Accuracy - seems like a pretty simple concept. Be accurate. The crazy thing is that many paddlers are content with aiming at a general area rather than a specific spot. Don’t settle for being in an area. When you paddle try to be in an exact spot. Don’t just catch the eddie, catch the eddie in a specific place. This is much more of a mental concept than a physical skill. The challenge is making yourself begin to see specific places that you want to be. Once you start doing that you will push yourself to run rapids more and more precisely and you will become more accurate. Read more…
