Learn how to roll a kayak with our free PDF guide and videos

Learn the kayak roll

A party trick as well as a safety procedure – not a bad combo, right? Just how simple is an kayak roll, you ask? Some are able to roll after one lesson but most people need more practice in the kayak before they can master it. Either way, once you learn the kayak roll, you will be hooked and won’t look back!

If you are keen to become a safer and more skilled paddler then mastering how to do a kayak roll (also known as an kajakkrull) should be on your bucket list, especially for those wanting to progress their river kayaking. We believe at Mad Goats that rolling an kayak is huge part of kayaking whether you are paddling waterfalls, sea kayaking or just kayaking on a gentle lake. No only is it an incredibly fun and rewarding challenge, it is also active meditation. Learn the kayak roll and you can finally say you are a kayaker, and a safe and responsible one at that. Plus, once you learn the kayak roll you can teach others and spread the joy – that is goat life!

What courses do we teach the kayak roll on?

You will have the opportunity to learn the kayak roll on our 2-day sea kayaking course in Oslo. This is a beginner våttkort course that requires no previous kayak experience to join – find out more here

We also teach the kayak roll on our 2-day whitewater kayaking course up in Sjoa. Learning to roll is must for all kayakers but especially so for river kayakers. It gets pretty exhausting swimming down all the rapids. This is all a beginner våttkort course and requires no prior kayak experience to join – find out more here

Fun fact: you can go straight to our Grunnkurs Elv or Grunnkurs Hav våttkort course and skip the 3hr Introkurs if you want. You do not need to do the Introkurs first. However, the Introkurs våttkort course is enough to be able to rent a kayak from us – find out more here about kayak rental 

Playlist of our rolling video tutorials

Learn to Kayak Roll PDF Guide

Download our  free comprehensive guide to learning the kayak roll (5MB, pdf)

We hope you find these resources helpful in mastering the techniques of kayak rolling and they help to keep you safe on the water!

Kayak courses in Norway

Our instructors specialise in teaching the kayak roll and ensure that you feel safe and secure. We think that learning to roll is helpful for anyone wanting to progress their kayaking so we include instruction and tips as part of our Foundation Courses. Sign up for one of our “grunnkurs” and learn how to kayak roll like a pro!

Book now Our most popular activities

Experience Gift Cards

Looking for a unique and memorable gift? Our experience gift cards offer a range of exciting options, including kayaking courses, tours, and rentals in Oslo and Sjoa, as well as floating sauna experiences in Oslo and Moss. With something for everyone, our gift cards are the perfect way to give the gift of adventure and create lasting memories.

14hr Private Basic Course in Sea Kayaking – Lysaker, Oslo

2-day NPF Grunnkurs Våttkort Course in Oslo/Bærum (kajakkurs i Oslo). A great activity for team building and kickoff events in Oslo. If you are looking for an activity that will push your team out of their comfort while having lots of fun a working together! A team building activity that includes kayaking always a good investment!

Accommodation Options at Mad Goats Sjoa – Heidal Valley

Camping spots (telte / campingplasser) and simple cabins for overnight (overnatting) accommodation while on your kayak course or tour in Sjoa. Enjoy the beautiful forest views and the sound of birds singing beside the Sjoa river. We also have a sauna and hot tub that you are welcome to use when staying with us in Sjoa, Heidal.

3hr Våttkort Introduction to Sea Kayaking Course – Lysaker

3-hr NPF Våttkort ”Introkurs i havkajakk” from Lysaker, Oslo. Join us on the water with our fun and experienced instructors and learn the basic sea kayaking skills. Bring your friends or come meet new ones! Once you get your våttkort you can rent kayaks from us from our locations along the Oslo waterfront. This kayak course (kajakk kurs) can also be booked for private groups and bought as a gift card. If you are looking for a longer course then we recommend you join our 2-day basic course (Grunnkurs i Havkajakk) - catch you on the water!

Oslo Fjord Kayak Tour – Bygdøy

Summer sea kayaking tour (kajakktur) around the beautiful Bygdøy Peninsula, where we stop at the famous Huk Beach for a swim, toilet break and to stretch our legs. The tour starts and ends at Sollerudstranda in Lysaker. Suitable for beginners. All equipment provided. We can also arrange this paddling tour (padletur) as a private tour (privat tur). Our Oslo kayak tours are a wonderful way to explore Oslofjord (Oslofjorden) while staying active and getting close to nature.

Private Sauna Rental – Bjørvika, Oslo

Oslo Fjord Sauna is a community-based sauna that works on trust, respect and kindness. Sauna users are emailed self-service instructions after completing the booking process, and are then trusted to leave the sauna clean and tidy for the next person. Please remember to bring enough water, a towel to sit on in the sauna and one to dry yourself, and a kind and peaceful attitude.

Guided whitewater kayak and packraft tours in Sjoa, Norway

Mad Goats run guided kayak and packraft tours on the Lagen River, which is graded from 1-2. This means it is a beginner friendly whitewater paddling tour. We recommend you have attended the 6hr våttkort introkurs with us before joining this tour, but if not that is ok and we will make sure to put you in a packraft, which is much more stable than a river kayak. Hope you are fired up for an incredibly beautiful and exciting adventure on one of Norways most pristine rivers!

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