Njord in Gothenburg

Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 2 comments

Learning to roll? With the right kayak and some youtube clips it is not all that hard...

"Hello Björn,

Last sunday I launched my new Njord. Half an hour later I rolled it for the first time after learning how to on the internet!

I have never tried before, but have during the winter watched almost every rolling clip on Youtube. Dressed in a divers drysuit I capsized and tried to roll up two or three times without any luck - it felt impossible. Then I realized that I had forgotten the hip flick, and at the second capsize with the sweep and the hip flick cooperating, the kayak seemed to pull me out of the water. All of a sudden I sat upright and in good balance, hardly believing what had happened!

After a while I felt quite secure with the roll and had developed a couple of alternatives. I did not do another wet exit. That it should be that simple: setup, sweep, unwinding of the hips, the rest takes care of itself. But of course the kayak has a large part in it. Now I look forward to go on practicing - and paddling.

(The scale tipped at 19 kg - hatches included)

Regards,
Henrik, Göteborg"