from Kent Ford

Owner Review by Hollis Luzecky
Edited by Kathryn Doiron
August 29th, 2009

"The Kayak Roll" DVD from Kent Ford

Product Specifications

Product Description

“The Kayak Roll” is a DVD that aims to teach a “smooth and effortless” low-resistance, twisting sweep roll, for both whitewater and sea kayakers. It is a two-part video (progression and diagnostics) with seven chapters and explanations for every skill level. It is filmed to help a beginner, who has never rolled, with the basics, and an experienced kayaker fine-tune their roll. It is also made to help instructors teach the roll. The video was mostly filmed on a slow-moving river and in a pool with whitewater kayaks. There is some footage, however, of sea-kayaks (and some amazing ocean surfing scenes). As a whole, the mechanics apply to both whitewater and sea kayaking.

After a brief commercial for a number of other Performance Video DVDs on kayaking and credit to their sponsors, the video begins. The mantra is “Learn It! Tune It! Teach It!” The introduction explains that the roll should be smooth and effortless, and keep the body in the protected position. It shows both old and young students, in both whitewater and sea kayaks, in flatwater and in rough rapids. It explains that the roll is not about strength and power, but about finesse and technique.

At times, the video uses a kayak with the bow deck cut off and a sit-on top kayak to allow the viewer to see what is happening with the rolling knee inside the boat. There are drills to practice in each chapter that will help improve the technique. The video explains the mechanics behind good technique and the reason bad technique hurts the roll. They recommend practicing with an instructor for instant feedback.

The seven chapters cover: 1) The Rolling Knee, 2) Setup, 3) Finish Position, 4) Sweep, 5) Next Steps, 6) Diagnostics, and 7) Rolling Styles. The progression section (approximately 30 minutes; first 5 chapters) breaks down each component of the roll, step-by-step, demonstrating the movements in both slow motion and actual speed. The video also uses underwater footage and animation to ensure the viewer doesn’t miss a part of the process.

The diagnostic section gives tips on fine-tuning and teaching the roll. It starts with some instructor tips and then focuses on 9 typical mistakes. The tune-ups are good for self-study and for instructors learning to teach and diagnose students’ problems. It demonstrates how an instructor should aid the student in breaking the bad habit and provides drills to improve technique.

The last chapter is on Rolling Styles. It highlights a few different variations on the kayak roll, including other sweep rolls, the rodeo roll, and c-to-c roll. It points out the benefits and the risks (if any) in the variations.

The video features host Kent Ford and instructors Dan Crandall, Mary DeRiemer, and Phil DeRiemer. It is narrated by Kent Ford, who is a former U.S. Slalom Team coach with twenty-five years of international whitewater racing and coaching, and almost that much experience teaching recreational boating to all levels of paddlers. He has kayaked over 350 rivers in 27 countries. He explains that, “the progression [they] describe will help any paddler eliminate years of learning by trial and error.” The website guarantees satisfaction, but the video itself also recommends personal instruction. The introduction to “The Kayak Roll” video is available on the website for free viewing.

The film has won both the Best Instructional, 2002 National Paddling Film Festival, and the Best Instructional, 2003 Waterwalker Film Festival.

Video Quality

The video and sound are high quality and very clear. The animation and underwater camera angles are very helpful.

Instruction, Demonstration, and Explanations

I think one of the most difficult things about learning to roll a kayak, is visualizing what is happening upside down and what is going on inside the boat. I can see what someone is doing above water or on land, but it is hard to transfer that once I flip over and my reference has changed.

“The Kayak Roll” has average kayakers demonstrating the roll, which makes it easier to relate to rather than some kayaking prodigy. It gives very clear and precise explanations of the mechanics of the roll, getting into each little nuance that is necessary to safely and successfully execute the roll. It goes into the body, hand, wrist, head, and even eye positioning. I could really see the torso rotation, the angle of the blade, the wrist rotation, and the position of the head. And since it is filmed underwater, I just have to mirror the movement, not flip it upside down in my head. The video is very upbeat and encouraging.

“The Kayak Roll” really emphasizes that your one knee is doing much of the work, performing the “hip snap.” This is a crucial component of the roll and I like how much they ingrain that into the viewer. The learning progression is effective and the roll technique focuses on the strength of your torso rather than your arms. The paddle is used mostly as a guide, not as a lever.

Even though I already knew the basics, the progression section helped reiterate the key moves to focus on, where I already know I’m weak (torso rotation and hip snap). The diagnostic section helped me pinpoint what I’m doing wrong and how to fix it. I just needed some fine-tuning and to correct the last half of the roll (continue with the torso rotation and hip snap through the whole roll). I also discovered I have been holding the paddle a little too tight.

Application to On Water Use

I originally learned the c-to-c kayak roll in a displacement hull kayak, and had a lot of trouble transferring to the sweep roll in a planing hull kayak because my muscle memory was so ingrained. My c-to-c roll is bombproof, but I wanted to learn the sweep roll this year because I got a playboat and it is a much more effective, and smoother, roll in a planing hull boat. The c-to-c roll is very difficult to perform in a planing hull kayak because of the high, hard sides. My sweep roll was successful in flat and slow moving water, but it was strained (even though other’s thought it looked smooth – still can’t explain that one) in faster moving water and about 70% reliable in a rapid. I felt like I was using more energy than others who use the sweep roll and that my shoulder was taking too much of the pressure. My hip snap was also off, starting too late and not really that strong.

I watched this video 3 times through, rewinding at various sections to really understand the mechanics. Then back on the water, I tried to put it all together. I definitely saw some improvement. There was definitely less stress on my right shoulder and I was twisting all the way to the back of the boat. This video really helped me break down the difference between the c-to-c roll and the sweep roll, and visualize what I needed to be doing upside down.

My roll is pretty successful now, it is still not perfect every day, but I think that is because I get lazy or tired after paddling all day. When I have trouble, I just visualize the video in my head and put it to work. Since my sweep roll improved, my confidence and my skills in my playboat improved because I was willing to push myself to the next level of kayaking. The video is a good reference tool now, that I refer to every once in a while when I have a bad rolling day.

“The Kayak Roll” is cheaper than a private lesson, but that also has its benefits. The video can’t pinpoint exactly what I am doing wrong if I don’t notice it myself. An instructor can help manipulate the paddle and my body to get me in the right position.

Summary

Overall it is a good instructional video for those beginners just learning to roll, an intermediate looking to improve, or an advanced paddler wanting to teach. I would definitely recommend it as a great resource for all kayakers.

***************************************************

Reviewer Bio

I have spent a majority of my life on the water. I grew up canoeing and water skiing. I started flatwater kayaking when I was about 16 and jumped into sea kayaking at age 22. I paddle a Perception Carolina 13.5. I began whitewater kayaking in 2006, learning on the Potomac River in the Washington, DC Metro Area, and have paddled Class I-IV rapids. I navigate rapids in a Dagger RPM and surf waves in a Wavesport Fuse 48. I have done a bit of whitewater rafting, but prefer the security of being in a kayak. They say everyone is between swims, but I prefer them to be few and far between.