TECHnique article by alex matthews, photos by josh mcculloch
be paddled conservatively? In any kayak, we should be safely pushing our limits to improve our skills. Double kayaks are no exception. We should be out there surfing in plastic doubles, doing huge seal launches, practicing lean turns and braces, sculling…and even nailing rolls.
THE TANDEM ROLL
Double Trouble Two ways to roll a tandem I
often associate tandem kayaking with dull paddling and poor technique. But where is it written that tandems must
THE TANDEM ROLL Tandem rolling is surprisingly easy. The mechanics are exactly the same as rolling a single kayak, except of course, that you have to coordinate with a partner. The key to success is to have both paddlers roll in unison. Before capsizing, agree which side you’re going to set up on. This seems obvious, but I’ve seen a very experienced team of a right-handed paddler and a leftie combine to almost lift a whole double free of the water—it sure didn’t roll! Choose the strongest paddler as the lead. It then becomes the other partner’s job to set up for the roll and wait to feel the roll initiated.
Some paddlers rely entirely on “feel” from the time of capsize. Or, the lead paddler can tap on the deck as a signal for setup, which will be followed by a predetermined count (a quick “one- chimpanzee, two-chimpanzee,” for instance) and then both paddlers start their rolls. When selecting a partner, high-grade toward musicians, dancers or synchronized swimmers. (The latter are used to holding their breath underwater and already come with their own nose- plugs.)
No matter how you time it, the “following” paddler must feel for the progress of the lead roller, waiting for that little lift that signals the initial
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