Learn to roll your kayak with our video tutorials

Layback rolls Forward finishing rolls

Latest Blog Posts

A roll in need of a name

Chris Johnston suggests "Pass the paddle roll"

Evening paddle

It doesn't get better than this. Mrs and Mr Crowhurst paddling home this evening.

Roll of the day – Hand roll, start forward finish back

Assammik Nerfallallugu is the classic hand roll. Translated the Greenlandic name means "using your hand, at the masik". Masik describes the deck beam across your thighs present in traditional Greenland kayaks. This name emphasizes an important point, which is to start...

Roll of the day – Standard roll with paddle held behind back

There is a competition roll with the paddle held behind the back. This is not the competition roll. This was an accident that I happened upon when misinterpreting the competition roll. This is a layback roll with the paddle held low on your back. It requires a good...

The cut back

I was wandering around the world wide web this evening and came across this video describing how to perform cut backs. I though I would share it:I am looking forward to doing this next week in the middle of the pacific.

Roll of the day – Quick Succession of Standard Rolls

In the time is takes you to say Nerfallarlugu Assakaaneq three times how many rolls can you do? No one, not even the uninformed, can fail to be impressed by the sheer craziness of trying to roll your kayak a gazillion times in ten seconds. But dont be fooled. To be...

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Qajaq Rolls is dedicated to passing on the traditional art of Greenland kayaking. Greenland kayak rolling can be a relaxing, yoga-like exercise. Rolling is also a tremendously valuable self-rescue technique, and should be the go-to recovery for any serious kayaker. Greenland kayak rolls are steeped in the history of the Inuit people, whose very survival depended upon their ability to roll up and recover while hunting. But Greenland kayaking encompasses much more than just rolling, qajaq building, paddle carving, throwing the harpoon and rope gymnastics are just some of the many skills that make up this ancient subsistence culture. If you are interested in learning more about all aspects of Greenland kayaking consider supporting Qajaq USA and Qaannat Katuffiat:

Qajaq USA is a nonprofit membership organization that is officially recognized by Qaannat Kattuffiat (The Greenland Kayaking Association). Qajaq USA is committed to supporting Qaannat Kattuffiat and their efforts to preserve, study and promote the traditions and techniques of Greenland kayaking while seeking to further the appreciation and development of Greenland-style kayaking in the United States.
Please consider joining Qajaq USA and supporting the organizations efforts.

If you are looking to prepare yourself your equipment and then learn your first roll please follow this link to a series of articles put together to help people get started: Getting your first roll. Nothing beats in person training, especially one-on-one training. If you are looking for mentoring check out the Qajaq USA Events where you can become immersed in the culture of traditional paddling.

Free Guidebook and DVD

Rolling with Sticks® started as a project to document the progress I was making as I learned the different Greenland style kayak rolls. This work evolved into the water proof guidebook and DVD. The project has paid for the costs of production so I decided to make them freely available for download in English, español – Spanish and 中文 – Chinese. Please download and share them with your paddling friends, and help to promote the art of Greenland rolling.