Learn to Eskimo Roll

Alton Water Sports Centre
"Wow. What a fantastic opportunity to get a roll! All communication with Nomad was swift & easy. Having a lesson..."
(4 customer reviews)
Paddler learning to Eskimo roll their sea kayak effectively. Bank demonstration of an eskimo sweep roll with NOMAD Sea Kayaking. Learning to eskimo roll a kayak with professional help from a trained coach Bank work with an student learning to eskimo roll his kayak. Setting up a sea kayak for an eskimo sweep roll on waist deep water. Bank coaching an eskimo roll with NOMAD Sea Kayaking. A paddler completing an eskimo roll in a sea kayak in deep tidal water. Two sea kayaks with one showing the spare split paddles A good deep water sea kayak roll is important. A sea kayaker doing an eskimo roll in deep tidal water, building confidence NOMAD Sea Kayaking motif Baba Kraken.

Learn to Eskimo Roll

Duration: 3 hrs. Distance: 0. Group Size: 1. Coaches: x1. Coach Ratio: 1:1. Gear: Own kayak, paddle & buoyancy aid. Skills: Beginner to Confident. Fitness: Basic+

£195.99 p/seat

Learn to Roll Your Kayak with Confidence

Your first defence against a capsize should always be a solid high or low brace. But when conditions deteriorate, a reliable Eskimo roll becomes the difference between control and compromise.

Whether you see it as the “holy grail” or simply good seamanship, rolling is an essential skill. It allows you to paddle longer distances, handle rougher water, and explore rock gardens, caves, and exposed coastlines without fear of capsizing. Mastering the roll fundamentally changes how—and where—you paddle.

How We Teach

We teach a full 360 sweep roll using a proven three-stage system:

  • Set-Up
  • Sweep
  • Catch

At each stage, your coach focuses on the common failure points and gives you a clear, practical fix. You’ll learn how to self-assess, identify what went wrong, and correct it when practising on your own—so progress continues long after the session ends.

Rolls can be taught on the left or right side, depending on what works best for you.

Course Format

  • 2 hours on the water
  • 1 hour introduction, bank coaching, and debrief
    (Two hours inverted is plenty—this format works.)

Most students achieve a working sweep roll within 90 minutes.
Around 70% complete a full 360° sweep roll or C-to-C roll during the session.

Who It’s For

- Sea and touring kayakers
- Whitewater paddlers welcome
- Learn in your own kayak and gear (recommended), or use one of ours


Take the Next Step

This isn’t a party trick—it’s a core safety and confidence skill that opens the door to real coastal paddling.

Book your Sweep Roll session now and paddle with confidence, not hesitation.

Everyone who completes this course is entitled to a FREE review session (By Appointment), which enables a coach to assess your roll & troubleshoot any difficulties you may be having, apply the fix & continue practising until your roll is 'bomb-proof.'

There are two sessions daily; the first begins at 10 am-1 pm & the second session is from 2 pm to 5 pm. Please check your account dashboard for the time of your event.

Trained or Untrained - which are you?  Sixteen years of age and over.

mike keen

June 10th 2021

Another fab and very productive session with Nomad, thanks guys!!

Matt Starling

May 6th 2022

Incredibly useful 1:1 session with Kurt - technique broken down step-by-step both on-land and in-water. Highly recommended!

And a very successful roll achieved Matt - well done! I hope you enjoyed the video footage we sent you of your successful roll.

Nomad

Danielle Bax

November 22nd 2024

Wow. What a fantastic opportunity to get a roll! All communication with Nomad was swift & easy. Having a lesson 1:1 with a coach (Kurt), who knows how to teach rolling is hard to come by. The time was just right. It allowed for a thorough discussion beforehand of previous experience, & importantly covered not only physical aspects but "head/mind" aspects. We chatted about the separate parts of a roll, & linking them smoothly. This was in the warmth of the car! During the session we also covered packing a boat for an expedition plus how to empty a boat when doing a self rescue. Kurt has the skill to tweak my current way of doing things into something that worked. He quickly saw what I needed to work on legs. I have found it hard to do "hip flicks", but by using my legs-bingo. Up I came! Kurt rightly advises me to practise as often as possible. Today, 6 days later, I did. Perfect roll! Thanks so much Kurt. You gave me the time to see what was needed. PS. I took flasks of hot chocolate and my dry robe to help me warm up afterwards.

Great job Dani, well done!

Nomad

Mark Wilson

June 20th 2025

Thoroughly enjoyed my one on one Eskimo Roll Session with Kurt. I had a lot of demons in my head from previous abortive attempts at rolling & after the session ended those demons where banished for good. Kurt is very methodical, calm & patient, and he needed to be, I'm sure I was a challenge. Although I didn't achieve a complete unaided roll, I got very close. What I did go away with was the knowledge and encouragement to practice practice practice, and I am determined & confident I am just a short step away from being able to complete a bomb proof roll, albeit in a comfortable & calm environment, then it will be into deep water/ real world environment for the next stage of my development. Thank you Kurt, See you again soon Coach

Thank you Mark; practice, practice, practice!

Nomad

Location

Launch location

Stutton, Suffolk, IP9 2RY

Next Departure time

24th April 2026, 10:00 AM

Weather
STUTTON WEATHER
Equipment

Use your own kayak, paddle & buoyancy aid. Mask & nose pinch provided unless you use your own.

Parking

Free on site.

Additional Notes

Course Notes

The water sports centre charges £19 per user & this is paid by NSK. Parking is payable by students before exiting.

MEMBERS: £19.00 payment to N.S.K. to cover fee to Alton Water Sports Centre. Paid prior to scheduled event.

We recommend you use your own kayak, paddle & buoyancy aid for this training session as this is what you will have to practice in moving forward. A face mask or nose pinch is recommended (we can provide this for you but please let us know). 

Please dress warmly (including your head) & ensure you have plenty of snacks & drinks. Training takes place in non-tidal freshwater, sub-surface visibility may be impeded.