Re-Enter and Roll

Fall 2009

Skillset

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

To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: DOWNLOAD

Before re-entering, visualize the full sequence of your movements.

Take a deep breath and re-enter the capsized boat. Secure a good grip with your legs before attempting to roll.

A good grip on the paddle is also key. Take the time to orient blade angle.

Execute a smooth and deliberate roll without rushing.

As with any roll, your head is the last thing to come up.

By Alex Matthews

With summer warming the water it’s the perfect time to practice favorite rescues, try some new ones, and generally mess about in boats.

If you already have a solid roll (for a refresher see the Fall 2008 Wavelength Skillset), or are working towards one, a fun self-rescue is the re-enter and roll. The concept is simple: in the event of a swim, you can re-enter your capsized kayak while it’s still upside down, and then roll it back upright.

The key to performing a successful re-enter and roll is making sure that you’ve established a good solid grip on the kayak with your legs before trying to roll.

If you want to roll up on your right, position yourself by the cockpit, on the right side of the capsized boat (this is actually port side of the overturned kayak). Place your paddle along the edge of the cockpit (port side), so that you can grip your paddle and the cockpit rim with your left hand. Your right hand reaches across to the far side of the cockpit rim.

Holding the boat on edge, swing your feet up into the cockpit. I will usually feed my legs part way in, take one last deep breath, and then go for the full re-entry.

This is the crux of the maneuver – be sure to pull your butt completely into the seat, and get your knees, and ideally at least one foot, firmly braced in place. Failure to secure a good grip on the boat by locking your legs into the thigh hooks will doom any attempt at rolling. So take your time, don’t rush, and be sure that you are in position and have achieved a solid fit before starting your roll.

The last step before rolling is to shift your right hand onto your paddle shaft. It’s often helpful to reach out and feel the blade in order to orient the blade angle before rolling.

Once you’ve rolled the boat upright, you’ll need to pump the water out. Or, if you’re close enough, you may opt to make a dash for shore and empty the water there.

A variation for paddlers with less than reliable rolls is to ‘beef up’ the re-enter and roll by affixing a paddle float to their active rolling blade before sliding back into the capsized kayak. A paddle float will generate much more support for a roll, and provides a solid brace to use while pumping the water out of the kayak once upright. The disadvantage of using a float is that it will take more time to set up and therefor requires the swimmer to be in the water longer.

While the re-enter and roll starts out feeling like little more than a “party trick” rather than a legitimate self-rescue, as a paddler gains experience with this maneuver, its appeal increases. It is fast, requires no additional equipment (unless using the paddle float variation), and it’s a great drill for building your confidence and comfort level with rolling.

Adapted from "Sea Kayaking Rough Waters" by Alex Matthews available at www.helipress.com.