Table of Contents

An Introduction to Eskimo Rolling

Peter Salisbury
Kayakhelp is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

If you’re planning on going kayak touring, one of the most important things you can do is learn the techniques associated with eskimo rolling. The reason for this is that if you’re touring in a sea kayak, and you are far from shore, it might not be feasible to get back into your kayak if you have to get out of it. Therefore, you should learn this technique before you go on any major kayak tours, especially if you are going on a long trip, or if you are going to be kayaking in a small group.

Eskimo rolling will allow you to right your kayak relatively quickly if you capsize. The benefit here is that you won’t be underwater for very long. While this might not be so important if you are kayaking in tropical waters, it is very important for anybody who is planning on going kayaking in the arctic or during the winter. If you do a wet exit from your kayak in arctic waters, you may find yourself exposed to the freezing water for far longer than you should be.

There are several different techniques that you must learn in order to do the eskimo roll. These techniques include the hip flick and several different rolls. Once you can put these techniques together, then you should be able to do a perfect eskimo roll to right your kayak after a capsize.

Before you start tyring to learn any of these techniques, however, you should make sure that you know how to do the wet exit. That way, if you are unsuccessful at getting your kayak back upright, you’ll still be able to get out of your kayak. Once you’ve learned how to do the eskimo roll in calm water, then you should work on doing it in slightly rougher water. This is due to the fact that the chances that you’ll capsize in rough water are much higher than in calm water, so you should be ready for that chance.

There are several different ways that you can learn eskimo rolling. Many different stores sell instructional books or video courses that can help you learn what you need to know. However, a better way to learn eskimo rolling is to join a course in your area, or to learn from somebody who knows how.

Enjoyed An Introduction to Eskimo Rolling? Share it with your friends so they too can follow the KayakHelp journey.

Share on Pinterest

More to Explore

10 Kayaking Knots Every Paddler Should Master

Mastering essential knots isn’t just about impressing fellow paddlers. It’s a crucial safety skill that can make the difference between a smooth kayaking experience and

Picture of Peter Salisbury
Peter Salisbury

I’m Pete. I am the owner of KayakHelp.com. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up kayaking, fishing, sailing, and partaking in outdoor adventures around the Great Lakes. When I am not out on the water, you can find me skiing in the mountains, reading my favorite books, and spending time with my family.