Rolling Laboratory With Mark McGowan

Lab 2:

Primary Goal - The Combat RollBuilding resilience in chaos.

Environment - Dynamic Sea (Tidal Races, Wind, Swell).

Core Concept - Environmental Hardening. Synchronising with moving water.

Technical Focus - Upstream Mandate, Aeration Mechanics, and Timing.

Your Baseline - You have a reliable sea roll but want to "harden" it for rough water.

The Result - A tactical reflex that thrives in high-energy environments.

In the high energy environments of Rhoscolyn Beacon or the Menai Straits, this Lab moves beyond the mechanics of "how to roll" and focuses on Environmental Hardening: the process of synchronising your recovery with the raw physics of moving water.

The Lab Focus: Performance Integrity in dynamic environments

We shift the focus from the internal (you) to the external (the water). This session is designed to break the reliance on "perfect conditions" and teach you how to utilise Hydrodynamic Lift to stay upright when the environment is in apparent chaos.

The Upstream Mandate: Developing the tactical reflex to "feed the hull to the flow," using tidal energy to assist your recovery.

Aeration Mechanics: Learning to find purchase and pressure in "white water" and boils where standard blade angles can fail.

Swell Cycle Synchronisation: Timing your recovery with the motion of waves to maximise lift and minimise effort.

Tactical Transitions: Moving instantly from a successful roll into a high-stakes move (e.g., breaking into an eddy or bracing into a surge).

The Chaos Test: Progressive pressure testing under a Constraint-Led Approach to ensure your roll is a hardened reflex, not just a practiced skill.

Instruction from friendly, qualified British Canoeing Instructors

Small group sizes (max 1:3 instructor-to-student ratio)

Dry Trousers, Cag, Thermals, Buoyancy Aid, Helmet, Spraydeck, Wetsuit Shoes

or....

Drysuit, Thermals, Helmet, Spraydeck, Wetsuit Shoes and Buoyancy Aid

Sea Kayak

Paddle

Change of clothes, towel, and warm layers

Packed lunch, snacks, water bottle

Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)

Any required medication

PDF Kit List

Course times: 13:00 – 16:00

Location: Rhoscolyn or Menai Bridge

Directions and parking: Sent with joining details

Locations are chosen for safety and the best learning experience

Participants should be comfortable in Level 4 conditions and bring their own sea kayak and equipment for group rescues. The Anglesey venue is adaptive and will be confirmed 48 hours prior based on the best "energy" available for the session.

Age Requirement:
All tuition courses are for adults aged 18 and over. Teenagers (16–17) may attend if accompanied by a competent parent or guardian actively participating in the course.

Book your Combat Sea Kayak Rolling Course

For questions, contact us by email, phone, or social media

Sea Kayaking Wales is a Demo Centre for SKUK Kayaks, who are based just down the road from us in Holyhead.

We also Stock Zegul Kayaks (in the picture above on the left).

Paddles - We also stock and demo Celtic Paddles.

Please get in touch for more information about these products.