Customer Reviews

Eric Jacksons Rolling and Bracing Kayak Roll DVD

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very entertaining, upbeat, beautifully filmed video that introduces a well thought-off sequence that takes the viewer from a brace to a full roll.

The Goods: the author presents a sequence of four skills that one needs to learn in order to roll. Each skill builds on the previous one and needs to be committed to muscle memory because you can't think yourself through a roll--you need to act it! The first step, the brace, is worth the price of this video just by itself because in most cases it will prevent you from capsizing and ever needing a roll in the fist place. The other three skills build up to a successful roll in any conditions--not just the controlled environment of the pool session.

Explanations are clear and amply illustrated. I wish there was more replay slow-motion footage as I would have liked to see the actions in more detail. But, I guess, that's what the modern technology is for and I can slow it down on the computer or the DVD player.

The authors repeatedly points to the work his legs are doing under the hull of the kayak but never really shows how they are supposed to accomplish their purpose. Out-of-the-boat demonstration of this aspect would enhance this video as it is not necessarily intuitive.

The section on teach a roll is just brilliant! I learned a lot about the roll itself just by watching that section. Watch it before you try to teach yourself!

The mental aspect of rolling also receives substantial coverage. I would not trust any rolling teacher who does not cover this. Being upside-down under water and trapped in a kayak is supposed to be scary. If it does not scare you, you probably should not be kayaking. Learning how to deal with this fear is a critical roadblock that needs to be cleared before you reach your destination--reliable roll.

Missing: the only thing that may be a problem for a number of kayakers is the fact that the roll taught here is a lean-back roll. There are a number of kayaks on the market that have high aft decks or high back support which will prevent a successful execution of EJ's roll. I also know a number of kayakers who have bad backs and cannot lean back. If any of these describe you, you may not be able to roll with techniques shown in this video. C-to-C or lean-forward rolls would be more appropriate but they are A LOT more difficult to learn and execute that the this lean-back roll.

By a mistake I got this video instead of Kent Fords rolling video. This video is really fantastic! Eric Jacksons brilliant instructions and very inspiring teaching style makes it fun to watch, together with nice technique demonstrations by EJ himself, his children and Clay Wright. You can build up your skills in a step by step manner and learn to roll in almost any situation. Nice bonus tracs on teaching others to roll and children and white water kayaking.

Marius
Norway

Great instructional video for anyone just getting started or wants to tune-up their rolling skills. Eric Jackson puts it in a very easy to understand format for anyone to learn!

If you're trying to learn to roll your kayak, this is a very good video to watch to learn and understand the core concepts. It breaks the roll down into easy steps, with great explanations and underwater footage to show you exactly what to do.

I have used this video and Jackson's teaching method as an aid to teaching rolling ocean kayaks and am happy to say the technique works!

Prior to watching this DVD, I took classes, and only had 1 successful roll, which I simply could not repeat. After watching it, I realized I had neglected proper bracing technique. My classes seemed to brush over it too quickly, and I had never actually done a brace where my head touched the water. Learning the proper brace is really what did it for me. I practiced bracing, and it was surprisingly easy, and that evening on the lake, I did probably 20 rolls, and my record for the night was seven in a row, before I had to swim.

Since then, I've watched it several more times, and have shared it with others. I don't have a hand roll yet, but I've finally got an excellent roll I can rely in, in Class 3 Whitewater (tested countless times in the Lower Blue run out of Green Mountain Resevoir, and at the Golden Playpark).

If you feel like you have room to improve your brace or roll, or simply have to learn it from the ground up, GET THIS DVD. If you're not learning your roll under the guidance of an instructor, it's not your fault!

Before I bought this DVD I had a c-to-c roll of sorts, after a little instruction and a few months in the pool and at the lake. It was not very reliable though so I though I'd get some books and DVDs. EJ's DVD more than paid for itself the first day, I watched it from start to finish, went to the pool and saw immediate results. After about a week my roll was 100% in flat water, a month down the line and I have a bombproof roll both sides and am learning to hand roll.

EJ is a phenomenal paddler and teacher. If you are struggling with an unreliable roll, or want to learn to roll, do yourself a favour and buy this DVD.

Best,

Fraser.

Very good video, shows us alot .
The only one we will ever buy as he is the best teacher.