The Hand Roll

 - The handroll is worth learning. It's pretty easy to learn, and can come in useful.

Step One: Fall into the water. It won't work unless you are upside down!

Step Two: As soon as you have gone over start leaning back in the boat. Get your head to touch the back of the boat.

Step 3: Keep leaning back and reach out to the side with your cupped hands. You want them right on the surface of the water, on the side that you'd normally place your paddle.

Step 4: There are two options here. One is to sweep your hands downwards,keeping them together, using a hip snap to right the boat.

The other option is to take a few rapid, almost "doggy paddle" strokes on the surface of the water. Flick your hips as soon as you get some resistance from the water.

Step 5: Keep leaning back during the whole move This lowers your centre of gravity and reduces drag, making it easier to turn your kayak around.

 
Step 6: Finish and sit up normally. If you do this on a river or in the ocean, now would be a good time to find that paddle!

Text und Fotos

Celliers Kruger - Fluid Kayaks