Kayak Roll Identifier & Troubleshooter

If you have a kayak roll that is not functioning as you would like (or you want to learn more about the five types of kayak rolls) take the time now to identify your roll before reading further.

(Click the Banner Below)

The Hot Springs

Let the hyperthermic waters of Volcan Michimahuida supercharge your learning process. We believe we have found the perfect location for teaching how to roll a kayak, protected from cold water and weather. Our Michimahuida hot spring classes go rain or shine, keeping our students in total comfort. The waters are so inviting you will want to roll without hesitancy - which is the single most important factor in learning the kayak roll. With these warm tranquil waters and our expert instructors, there will be no time lost. You will learn more about how to roll a kayak in three days at our kayak school than in three years of trying to learn on your own on your local river. Better than the swimming pool because the warm waters help in muscle relaxation and recovery, the Michimahuida hot springs are nestled in a deep valley off of the dormant Michimahuida Stratovolcano. Steaming mist, flowering bushes, giant ferns and native coihue trees make up a virtual botanic garden surrounding the hot springs.

Learn to Roll Video

The Patagonia South Teaching Philosophy

A perfect kayak (eskimo) roll is the most important foundation one can develop for progressing in the sport of whitewater kayaking. A functioning kayak roll enhances confidence and ensures fast progress in the sport. A marginal kayak roll will erode confidence and progress and be the reason for not kayaking up to your potential.

We have always been surprised to see how many paddlers have kayak rolls that allow them to just "get by" without 100 percent confidence and for one reason or another, the kayaker does not fix it. Paddlers can go years with the same problem in their kayak roll…and the resulting lack of confidence in their kayaking. Kayakers who don't learn to roll a kayak when starting out are usually at a great disadvantage later on.

Company founder, Chris Spelius and our kayak instruction team have dedicated many years to analyzing and teaching the kayak roll. We are researchers of the science in different styles of kayak rolling. Chris has been featured in videos, on television and has written kayak roll instruction articles for industry publications. He has taught at Nantahala Outdoor Center and Otter Bar Kayak School, and has been invited to teach at kayak schools around the world.

At Expediciones Chile we have contributed to the evolution of teaching the kayak roll and we want to see it continue to evolve. We also keep a close watch on other instructors and instructional methods, looking for any new advances. We study all the new literature and new videos and we are aware of what the hottest kayakers are doing as well as what works for the recreational kayakers who just want to have fun. We participate in national instructor conferences to keep up on the latest kayak rolling techniques that others develop. Doing all the different kayak rolls is not that hard. Teaching them well is much harder and takes experience to develop the eye and the communication skills to focus on the exact solution for each person. Our instructors are passionate about doing this!!

Here at Patagonia South Kayak School, we insist that our instructors learn the five types of kayak rolls that we sponsor. We have found that these different rolls, when done properly are, solid and safe. Some are slightly easier for different body types. However the most important thing is perfecting the technique of the roll that you are using - doing it one hundred percent correctly. Changing your kayak roll is not a silver bullet. Doing the roll correctly is the silver bullet. We will analyze your kayak roll on video, determining what style of roll you are doing and determine how we will help you perfect it. Only in rare cases, where a body type does not fit the type of roll you are attempting, will we change the style of roll - and only with you in agreement. To learn more about your own kayak roll see our Kayak Roll Identifier.

�IF you do the roll technically correct the kayak has NO CHOICE but to right itself, even in chaotic whitewater. It is clear that rolling problems start with the erosion of technique.� Chris Spelius

What are the reasons that a roll that does not work one hundred percent of the time? It has not been made abundantly clear to the kayaker with the precise words and perfect demonstration what that exact motion is. Thus the kayaker does not have the muscle feel of that motion. This is where the expert instructor comes in.

The erosion of technique is also caused by a lack of confidence that seduces one to try to get up by lifting their head, or pushing their paddle down, or additional instinctive movements that destroy the perfect technique. This is where perfect practice builds the confidence.

We maintain that a roll is not that hard to learn. If you are a beginner we will analyze your body type, your goals in the sport and decide which kayak roll is best for you.

If you already roll you should understand which type of roll you have been trying to do. Then learn the exact motions that groove this roll. It is not difficult. We know what to say so that you will know the perfect verbal, and feeling cues to execute the perfect roll motion."

No matter if you are a C to C, sweep, back deck or rodeo roller, let us enhance your future in this sport in one of the world's most beautiful class rooms with the most professionally committed instructors you will find anywhere..

�Ten practice rolls with expert feedback are more important to your progress than one hundred practice rolls without feed back. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect!� Chris Spelius

Our Hot Springs Rolling Clinics - Details

Our kayak rolling clinics ake place from November to April during our Learn to Kayak Multi-Sport weeks, New Kayaker Weeks, and Whitewater Tune-Up weeks. Contact our office to set up a rolling clinic to fit your schedule. We can spend as many days on the kayak roll as you desire and incorporate it in any of our paddling school or multiparty weeks. This opportunity is great for sea kayakers who want to make the transition to whitewater or to paddling open or more extreme water.

Also offered at the Patagonia South Kayak School: Beginning Kayak Instruction, Intermediate Paddling Instruction, Advanced Paddling School Courses. How to Roll a Kayak clinics and private kayak lessons.

Downloadable pdf: Kayak School