Steve Brown's Roll Class
Well, I did it. I made it through and I’m alive and still breathing to prove it. Today, I attended Steve Brown’s kayak rolling class. For anyone who doesn’t know what rolling is, it is spending some undetermined time in an upside down position, in a kayak, in the ocean, while learning how to come up for air in an upright position. It was that undetermined time that stuck in my brain, that made me not want to be anything but upright in all my years of kayaking adventures. Somehow, I managed to make that a reality. I don’t think it was because I never challenged myself in the type of adventures I participated in so much as that I had an unnatural dedication to going in a very straight line with both edges of my kayak in an absolutely parallel position to the water. Dumb, true, but accurate.

Since becoming active in CKF and taking a few classes in bracing and surf launching, I have become aware of huge holes in my skill level and have become determined to fill them up with necessary skills and knowledge. Challenging as this has been, and, I’m sure, just as comical, I drove to White Point Beach with great anticipation, eagerness and anxiety.

As soon as I joined Janna and met Steve and his wife Kathy, I felt at ease and comfortable with the class. First, Steve showed us a video on rolling and went over it frame by frame to help us understand the basics of what we were about to do. Then we suited up, carried his eight foot, whitewater boats to the beach. Then he got into his kayak, rolled onto his side on the sand, and demonstrated how to use the knee to bring the kayak to an upright position. The onlookers were extremely curious as to what Steve was doing. When told, they became very interested and we had a good size audience. I don’t think that made me feel any braver.

We then got into the kayaks and paddled out to a protected area of the ocean behind a rock outcropping. There was a little bit of wind and mild wave action. I had never been in a short boat. My own kayak is over 18 feet long. I was amazed how responsive the short boat was.

Steve explained what we were about to do. He would roll us onto our side, just like he demonstrated on the beach, and while holding our upper body, we would practice righting the kayak. Janna was first. She looked rather calm and did well. She did go all the way around with Steve’s help. That was the part that I feared the most. Then it was my turn. This is when, I think, Steve demonstrated the most patience. All I could think of was that undetermined time under water. I finally did roll the boat upside down and back up, with Steve’s help. I was surprised that, actually, it wasn’t all that scary.

We practiced for two more hours. With determination and Steve’s unwavering assistance, we did make progress. I loved every minute of it and soaked in every valuable word of Steve’s instructions. After the class, we had a discussion about what we did. Steve was very encouraging and supportive.

So far, this experience is one of the most memorable highlights in my progress to become a more skilled kayaker. I WILL practice and hopefully the next time we all meet in the water, I will have some evidence of it. Thank you, Steve, for your amazing patience, dedication and generosity.

Carol Fallon

Janna adds...

OK..this is a first..never did a write up on a ckf adventure before..but here goes!!!

Yes..I joined Steve, his wife Vicki and Carol in sunday's rolling class....and I am soooo glad I did! It was fun and it was well worth the time and effort. I learned enough with Steve's instruction and Vickie's demonstration of a properly done roll to believe I can work on my own and get that bombproof roll going..well..maybe with a lota work..but still..I now have hope..there is a light in the end of this learning tunnel!

Steve used a video he made to give us the basics then he demonstrated on the sand while sitting in his boat..and no..he did not make a complete turn over and up again..he is good..but not crazy! Then he stood in that cold water for the couple of hours it took to help carol and I learn some basics about rolling. Vicki helped us by doing a couple of quick and easy..well..she made it look easy..rolls in her boat. I found that watching her was really inspirational. and their little whitewater play boats? I want one!!

It's a lot of fun to bounce around like a cork in the white water and waves..who knew?? Guess it's not all about the big touring boats..I own a Necky Looksha IV and now see a play boat on my list of stuff to buy..along with the others cool things Steve and Vicki suggested buying to round out the kayak gear I own..never can have too many boats..or too much gear!

Anyway..Steve was a very patient instructor and very encouraging! I would recommend his class to anyone who wants to give rolling a chance. It's an important skill for a kayaker to have and Steve made it fun to learn! Both Carol and I came away knowing we could master it! with practice!!!

Submitted on June 28, 2004