Skills: The Greenland Crooked-Arm Roll

June-July 1999

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web

by Adam Bolonsky

fig. 1 Setup

For you traditionalists out there who are interested in Greenland paddles and boats, here's a roll to try once the warmer weather arrives. The Greenland crooked-arm roll serves to address that most perplexing of capsize scenarios - how to roll after injuring an arm, wrist, or shoulder. It is basically a modification of the standard Eskimo or Pawlata roll. Trying this roll can provide an eye-opening introduction to the versatile range of techniques available in this highly-evolved, cold-water paddling style.

To begin, assuming your right is your strong side, cradle the blade of your paddle in the crook of your left elbow as if wedging a wad of dollar bills edge-down into a billfold. Grasp the shaft of your paddle with your

fig.2 Setup

right. Use a standard grip (choose a position that you think will afford you equal measures of leverage and control; mid-shaft seems to work pretty well). Twist your upper body left (counterclockwise) and lay the paddle on the port deck. Drop your chin onto your right shoulder, bend your upper torso forward (fairly low) and capsize port. (fig. l)

Once you're upside-down, begin the sweep segment of

a standard screw roll: that is, sweep the right blade of the paddle in a smooth arc out from the deck of your boat clockwise, using a gentle, but firm, and slightly downward-pulling, motion. (fig. 2) As the kayak begins to roll (have faith - it will), hip-snap and drive your right knee firmly against the underside of your deck. Continue sweeping with that gentle, slightly downward-pulling motion. (fig.3) Throw your head back. Complete by swishing the paddle behind.

TIPS

fig3 Setup

If all else fails (and at first all else will) keep in mind that all you're really trying to execute is a standard screw roll slightly modified.

If you become confused underwater about what sweep motion to follow, imagine trying to touch your right hand to your right hip, even as you keep your chin glued to your shoulder.

Choke down the grip of your left elbow if you find the paddle snagging the hull.

One of the beauties of this roll, aside from its flashiness and obvious utility, is that the paddle rarely dives during execution. On this particular roll, for example, and especially if practiced with a Greenland paddle in a low-volume Greenland boat, you'll find you can sweep the paddle back and forth deep within the water column without the paddle diving. You'll have time to think about how to coordinate your hip-snap, sweep, and roll, in the halfway zone between down and up. You'll find, also, less need for that all-too-familiar braille-like search for a power face or correct blade angle, fumbles so common to learning rolls. Give the crooked-arm roll a try once the warmer weather arrives. Like so many rolls in the Greenland style, you'll soon discover this roll has a hard-headed, practical-minded edge to it, yet is wonderfully playful. Moreover, its successful execution will sharpen your skills and make you look-if not feel-pretty cool.