Greenland Technique: Rolling and Rescues
Overview
Rolling is an extremely useful skill, but there is much more to safe Greenland-style kayaking than just rolling. While rolling can become a form of sport in itself, for safe kayaking you will need to work on developing all of your skills, including sound judgment.
The Greenland paddle is so adept at rolling that it's only natural to start looking at the
competition rolling list and wondering, where do I start? One logical rolling progression (after one learns basic techniques including bracing, forward strokes, etc) is:
- Become comfortable in/under water
- Side sculling (teaches paddle control, finding balance point of kayak and body, and aft leaning hipsnap on recovery).
- Standard roll (you may wish to scull up initially)
- Balance brace (logically you could do this right after learning a side scull but most people want to get a roll down as soon as possible)
- Armpit roll or crook arm roll (for variety and to have a one-handed option)
- Chest scull (teaches forward leaning hipsnap)
- Reverse roll (very closely linked to the chest scull)
- Storm roll (an excellent roll for battle conditions)
- Other rolls of your choice
- Norsaq rolls (a good intro to the hand rolls)
- Hand rolls
The Greenlanders start with the first three items in the order shown. Otherwise follow your interests and keep it fun (and safe).
Greenland Championship Rolling Maneuvers
The list of thirty-five capsize maneuvers performed at the annual Greenland National Kayaking Championship. Includes the Greenlandic roll names and sound files of Maligiaq Padilla pronouncing the terms, as well as brief history and purpose of each maneuver.
Greenland Roll Translations
Literal translations of Greenlandic rolling names courtesy of Birgit Pauksztat. Some of the translations provide interesting insight into the techniques
Competition Rolling Scoresheets
English translation
Greenlandic (untranslated)
This is the Qaannat Kattuffiat scoresheet used for event scoring at the Greenland championship. To use, circle the value indicated by the "More" column if a roll is done perfectly on the first try. If the participant barely makes it up on the first try, or has to resort to a second try, the "Less" value is circled. Left and Right refer to an attempt on either the paddler's left or right side. The winning score at the 2000 event, in the 20-34 age category, was 277 points by Ari Josefsen of Nuuk! Translation thanks to Hans Kleist-Thomassen of Qajaq Nuuk.