The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America 58

The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America 58

Although kayaking as a sport first became popular in the 1860's, it was

not until the 1920's that the value of learning to roll began to be

fully realized by the recreational kayaker. Interest has grown steadily

since that time, and rolling instruction has been included as a regular

part of many club training courses. A preliminary step in mastering

the roll consists of using the paddle to prevent a capsize, by turning

the blade parallel to the water surface and pressing down sharply on

the side toward which the kayak is capsizing, while exerting an upward

pressure with the other hand. This produces a rotary movement which

restores the kayak to an even keel. Recreational canoeists call this

maneuver a "paddle brace."

 

Most kayak rolls are based upon one or more of three basic movements.

These are the paddle brace, the "sculling" stroke, from which lift

is obtained by moving the paddle back and forth through a small arc

with the leading edge of the blade at a slight planing angle, and the

"sweep," from which lift is obtained by sweeping the blade through a

large arc at a slight planing angle. The method of rolling shown in the

sketches is the standard Greenland roll, so called because it is the

most common roll encountered in Greenland. A slightly modified version

of this roll is called by recreational canoeists the Pawlata roll in

honor of the European who introduced it to them. Many skillful kayakers

could not roll, and sometimes a highly skilled roller would fail to

recover. Such men could be rescued by their companions by either of

two common methods. One method was executed by placing the bow of the

rescue craft within reach of the capsized paddler's hand, so that he

could pull himself up by a one-handed chinning motion. The other method

was executed by bringing the rescue kayak alongside the capsized kayak

so that the two craft were parallel and about two feet apart. The

rescuer then laid his paddle across both craft and holding it with

one hand, reached down and grabbed the capsized paddler's arm. He then

pulled him up between the two kayaks. This method enabled an enfeebled

or unconscious kayaker to be rescued.

 

[Illustration: Figure 216

 

Hand positions used with the standard roll:

 

(1) The extended paddle position is the common method, and it gives

maximum leverage. It is similar to the "Pawlata Roll" position used by

recreational kayakers.

 

(2) The normal paddling position is more convenient, but gives less

leverage. This is called the "Screw Stroke" position.

 

(3-6) Difficult trick positions demonstrated by Enoch Nielsen of

Igdlorssuit, West Greenland, to Kenneth Taylor, a Scottish canoeist, in

1959.]

 

[Illustration: Figure 217

 

Kayak rescue, bow-grab method]

 

[Illustration: Figure 218

 

Kayak rescue, paddle-grab method]

 

Both of the above methods of rescue were completed with the capsized

victim still in his craft. This prevented his kayak from swamping and

also protected him from exposure, since his waterproof kayak jacket

remained tied to the cockpit hoop. Little detailed information has

been recorded on the methods of rolling known outside of Greenland,

but there are many photographs of Bering Strait kayakers rolling with

the single bladed paddle. A study of Alaskan rolling methods is now in

progress, and it is hoped that much information can be recovered and

preserved.

 

[Illustration: Figure 219

 

PREPARING FOR DEMONSTRATION. Jonas Malakiasen puts on his tuvilik (a

waterproof kayak jacket, pronounced in English "tooey-leek"). When

it is fastened tightly about his face, wrists, and the cockpit hoop,

he can capsize without getting water in the kayak. Igdlorssuit, West

Greenland, summer 1959. (_Photo by Kenneth Taylor._)]

 

[Illustration: Figure 220

 

GETTING ABOARD. Enoch Nielsen, best kayak roller in the village of

Igdlorssuit, West Greenland, wriggles into his kayak on the beach

before embarking on a kayak rolling exhibition. Note that he is leaving

the harpoon line stand and gun bag in place. (_Photo by Kenneth

Taylor._)]

 

[Illustration: Figure 221

 

PAUSING ON SURFACE. Kayaker supports himself on the surface of the

water by a sculling stroke before starting the roll. Note that Enoch

Nielsen's body is twisted so that his shoulders are parallel with the

surface, thus submerging as much of the body as possible in order to

gain buoyancy. (_Photo by Kenneth Taylor._)]

 

[Illustration: Figure 222

 

FULLY CAPSIZED, view from forward quarter, looking aft. Enoch Nielsen

prepares to roll up by the standard method. Note the planing angle of

his paddle blade as he prepares for the next step, the planing sweep of

the blade across the surface. (_Photo by Kenneth Taylor._)]

 

[Illustration: Figure 223

 

EMERGING FROM ROLL, view from forward quarter, looking aft. From the

position of Enoch Nielsen's hands, this appears to be the standard

roll. He has just completed the planing sweep and is halfway up. The

inboard hand is a pivot point for the sweep and a fulcrum for the lift.

(_Photo by Kenneth Taylor._)]

 

[Illustration: Figure 224

 

RIGHTING THE KAYAK. Enoch Nielsen emerges from roll with a final

downward thrust of the paddle blade. (_Photo by Kenneth Taylor._)]

 

 

 

 

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