About the Course
Join me for an immersive 3-hour Sea Kayak Rolling Clinic designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of the layback Greenland roll. This session is perfect for kayakers looking to enhance their skills, gain confidence underwater, and explore the therapeutic benefits of sea kayak rolling as an independent sport. Since I teach with a trauma-informed lens, it's also a great way for those with a fear of capsize or a fear of going underwater to slowly increase their confidence and work toward comfort with wet exits and maybe a roll.
By the end of the clinic, you will have a learned foundational skills in the layback Greenland roll, increased your underwater confidence, and a learned a set of techniques that will enhance your kayaking skills and overall well-being.
What You'll Learn
Clinics
Following a brief group instructional chat, we'll break into partners and begin with gentle exercises to build comfort and control underwater.
Balance Brace & Butterfly Roll: Practice these foundational techniques to improve balance and control.
Standard Layback Roll: You'll learn the mechanics and gracefulness of the standard layback roll. By focusing on slow, deliberate, and graceful movements, you'll be able to generate power when needed.
Long breath holding, strong upper body strength, and comfort underwater are not necessary. This clinic focuses on mastering your nervous system, technique and calmness - all things that are crucial in a real capsize situation, but also highly applicable to daily life. It's a great way to de-stress and find a sense of calm on the water, making it an ideal activity for professionals in high-stress jobs with high rates of burnout.
Advanced Rolls: For those interested, I offer instruction and coaching on several other layback and forward finish rolls.
Pool Sessions
These sessions allow you the flexibility to work on skills of your choice, so some independence is needed.
Max 6 participants
Coaching available on: C-to-C roll (Euro blade); Standard Greenland roll, Norsaq roll, Shotgun roll, hand roll (layback); storm roll, continuous storm roll, and reverse sweep roll.
What you Need to Know
Next Course Dates
Through June, July & August, sessions will be added continually with the flexibility to schedule according to client requests. Please email me to inquire.
Pool sessions will start again in the Fall, with a few new sessions types including a low cost practice session. If you're interested, please email me, as this will require some advance planning & participant commitment.
Location
Westwood Lake
Beban Pool, Nanaimo
What's Included & Pricing
2 hr Formal Instruction and pool access: $100
2 hr Practice session with coaching and pool access: $75
4 hr Rolling Clinic (Westwood lake) $180
Includes all gear, delivered to paddling site.
Fully licensed & insured
10% for anyone bringing their own kayak and gear (yes, you'll still get to try rolling in the Rebel Greenland kayaks)
Preparatory Tips
While no special preparation is required, you may benefit from working on posture, flexibility, and swimming to enhance your comfort underwater. Personal training sessions are available, see below)
You can bring your own clean kayak or use one provided by me. Ensure your kayak is free from sand, salt, or dirt.
Consider bringing a mask, goggles, nose plug, or swim cap if desired.
Plan to arrive 30 minutes early, especially if bringing your own kayak, to allow time for inspection and preparation.
Your Instructor
Joani Litchfield
Certified Paddle Canada Kayak Rolling Instructor
Ukee Greenland Weekend Coach, 2023, 2024 & 2025
Mentored by and coached alongside James Manke, 2022 - present