Eskimo Roll Classes
Learn the Eskimo Roll
The Eskimo roll is the most reliable way to recover from a capsize, and can be a fun (and frustrating) challenge to learn and master. Working on your roll is also excellent practice for maintaining balance and boat control.
The objective of a roll is to get the boat right side up, so your body can follow. The key is doing this with very little support from the paddle.
Minimizing the paddle involvement in the roll depends on a good "hip snap," which is the torso and knee motion that rights the boat. To roll, you'll need your torso working independently of your lower body. This motion has to be well refined before you do anything with the paddle.
How Do I Get Started? 
With good instruction! When learning how to roll you want to develop positive skills, you need to begin with sound instruction. Once bad habits are developed they become very hard to break. You’ll gain knowledge and skills more quickly and safely, and have fun while learning to roll in the comfort and safety of a warm YMCA pool. This course, using the latest teaching methods, is designed for beginners with basic skills or those who wish to develop better rolling skills. Classes will consist of two 2-hour lessons. Skills taught are appropriate to whitewater, touring and recreational paddling. Our goal is to have fun and build a sound foundation so every student can progress to a lifetime of paddling enjoyment.
Who Can Signup?
This course is not designed for first time paddlers. A pool setting is ideal for a first time Eskimo roll experience because it is a controlled environment. You should have some paddling experience or have taken a basic kayak course. We can accommodate adults of any size and age. In the case of children, size is more important than age, but usually they must be around 100 lbs. or 10 years of age or older to participate. Please call and find out if this course is right for your child.
What Do I Need To Wear?
Usually a swimming suit is adequate, but if you get chilled easily a nylon or polyester paddling shirt will help retain body heat. We recommend you purchase some kind of kayaking shoe as the boat footbrace can cause discomfort to bare feet. Since you will be upside down in a kayak throughout this course, we highly recommend purchasing a snorkeling mask . The snorkeling mask will do two things for you, first it will enable you to keep your eyes open and second it will keep water from going up your nose. We have found that students wearing snorkeling masks are much more comfortable with the situation of being upside down in a kayak than students without masks, who usually keep their eyes closed. The mask allows you to use the senses of sight and touch as you are performing various tasks versus being upside down with your eyes closed and only using the sense of feel. If you think you will be comfortable keeping your eyes closed, all you need to purchase is a nose plug. These clamp on your nose to keep water from going up your nose. We will gladly show you these products when you sign up for the course.
Course Cost?
The cost for the two-session course, which totals 4 hours of instruction, is $125. The equipment, a kayak which is fitted to you, spray skirt, pfd, and paddle are included. The cost of this course is more than our other courses because the instructor ratio is one instructor to a maximum of 2 students.
Where Do I Sign Up?
You sign up at Sunshine Sports. The tuition fee must be paid at the time of sign up. The tuition fee may not be refundable. You may call us at 252-3724 or 800-773-3723 or stop in at 304 Moore Lane in Billings. Business hours are 9am to 6pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm on Saturday.
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