A brace roll is a roll that primarily uses a bracing action to perform the roll. Bracing actions in this context refer primarily to those that do not contain sweeping or sculling motions.
Back Deck Roll
This roll is extremely quick and very impressive. If performed quickly enough you can avoid getting your head wet. It is however a completely different style of roll to all others I have seen.
- SETUP
- Place Paddle alongside as if for normal screw roll
- Cock your wrists back so that the power faces of your blades are facing towards the water
- Lean as flat as you can onto your back deck
- THE FLIP
- Now that your setup throw yourself over to the left as fast as you can
- When your boat passes 90 smack your rear (left) blade down onto the water. This should provide the resistance that keep your backdeck temporarily clear of the water
- THE SWEEP ROUND
- As you become fully inverted sweep your front (right) blade round under the back of the boat with you
- Continue this sweep round to the right hand side of the boat and hipflick
- Follow the scull round until it is next to your toes on the right hand side of the boat
You should now be sitting upright
C-to-C roll
The C-To-C roll is a very common type of Eskimo roll, in which the kayaker is in position perpendicular to the boat before commencing.
PFD roll
Best done using the sort of waist jacket PFD issued at water sports centers.
- Attract attention from those you wish to impress.
- Capsize to the left.
- Remove PFD.
- For extra effect hold PFD just above left side of boat and do up all zips and buckles.
- Allow PFD to float on surface.
- Hold PFD with both hands (or just one if really confident and flashy).
- Use the PFD for support for a strong hipflick.
- Continue conversation as if nothing happened.
Put PFD back on and lap up applause.
Safety note: This does require removing your lifejacket. Don’t attempt if you feel you may lose the PFD in the process.
Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.
