Learn to roll your kayak with our video tutorials

This week a new Greenland Rolling training video was release by the University of Sea Kayaking. It features the highly experienced Maligaq Padilla, who has won the Greenland Rolling Championship no less than eight times, and renowned Dubside from the US.I got my copy...

Roll of the day – Storm Roll

I recently received a lot of coaching help with my Storm Roll. I was easily able to complete the roll and as a result had lapsed into some bad habits. The Storm roll is the first forward finishing roll I recommend you learn. Prior to starting learn this roll make sure...

Roll of the day – Crook of elbow

Pakassummillugu Unermillugu - "(holding the paddle) in the crook of your arm". Originally designed to train hunters to recover with something held in their hand, or with one hand injured or tangled up in their hunting lines.Like the standard roll and...

Sea Kayak Rescues

This video trailer for an upcoming DVD release looks promising:A quote from their marketing: "Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme team up with award winning filmmaker Bryan Smith in Sea Kayak Rescues, a comprehensive modern guide to rescues for all paddlers. Using stunning...

Power Paddling

I think watching this video by Sean Morely is well worth the time, many of the concepts translate well to Greenland Paddles. You can read the full article supporting this video in Canoe and Kayak MagazineThis second video by Duane Strosaker is also excelent as it...

Roll of the day – Throwing stick roll, forward to back

The Norsamik Nerfalallugu is probably the best norsaq roll to start with. Technically it is a norsaq or throwing stick roll that starts tucked forward and finishing leaning aft. Once you have become comfortable with lay-back rolls using a paddle you should be ready to...

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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.