Building Confidence Upside Down: Fun Kayak Drills for You and Your Paddling Partner

One of the most important foundations for learning to roll a kayak is becoming completely comfortable being upside down. This might sound simple, but it can make a world of difference when you're learning to roll with confidence and control.

Below are some fun and effective confidence-building exercises that you can try with your paddling partner. There are a few variations here, but feel free to get creative and come up with your own versions, too.

Once you're feeling good about all of these exercises, it's a great sign that you're ready to move on to the next stage of learning your roll.

Back to Basics: The Standard Capsize

A great starting point is simply doing a standard capsize. Go back to basics: tip yourself over gently in your kayak, relax as you go upside down, and practise a nice, slow, controlled wet exit.

Focus on:

• Staying calm as you go under
• Popping your spray deck off slowly
• Exiting the boat in a smooth and relaxed manner

This is all about comfort and control, not speed or urgency.

Staying Under Longer

The next step is to build your tolerance for being underwater. When you're rolling, you need to stay under for a few seconds while you set up the paddle and prepare to come back up.

Here's what to do:

• Capsize as before
• Stay upside down for as long as you're comfortable
• Tap the bottom of the kayak when you're ready to be pulled up by your partner

Start with holding for just 3–5 seconds, then build from there as you gain confidence. This tap system creates a simple communication tool for you and your partner.

Touch the Sky

Once you're comfortable being upside down for a few seconds, it's time to get used to moving underwater. This is an essential skill for setting up your roll later on.

The exercise:

• Capsize
• While upside down, reach your hands from one side of the kayak to the other
• When you're ready to come up, either tap the bottom or let your partner know

Tip: To reach across effectively, you'll need to lean forward. Doing so will help you get your hands out of the water and around the boat. Practising this forward position will come in handy for the roll setup later.

Pass the Object

Here's a fun variation: capsize while holding an object – something like a helmet or a deck pump works well – and try passing it around the boat while you're upside down.

Focus on:

• Controlled movements
• Relaxed breathing
• Staying underwater for a few seconds

Once you've passed the object around a couple of times, choose to either tap the boat for a partner rescue or perform a standard wet exit.

Have Fun and Stay Relaxed

The most important part of all these exercises is that they should be fun. Don't rush them. Work at your own pace and focus on staying relaxed and happy in the water.

The more comfortable you become upside down, the easier and more natural rolling will feel later on. These confidence drills are the perfect warm-up to developing your roll.

So grab your paddling partner, try out these exercises, and enjoy the journey of getting to know your kayak from a new angle!

Whether you’re new to rolling or seeking to enhance your skills, this course will support you throughout your journey. Start your 7-day free trial today and take the next step toward mastering the roll. ⬇️

Rolling course