Kayak Instruction Inc

09/08/2026

Saturday September 26th - Still time to register. A great adventure for yourself, family & friends. Come experience Lake Ray Hubbard in a whole new way. 214-629-4794

09/08/2026

We are adjusting our hours for the shorter days. Paddle early or late to beat the heat. We will get you on the water quick & easy. 214-629-4794

09/08/2026

EJ's "Dangerous" Teaching Methods... Another of the Myths of the Roll Explained...
The main safety objective of any roll is simple: get right side up, stay right side up, and spend as little time underwater as possible.

You are not going to hit the bottom with your head or body while you are right side up. That danger exists while you are upside down. Therefore, rolling up quickly—and rolling up first time, every time—is safer than spending additional time underwater performing unnecessary movements.

In a normal Phase 4 roll, you begin tucked forward while upside down. You only lay back as the kayak rolls upright. By the time you finish low over the back deck, you are right side up, so the argument over whether that finishing position is “dangerous” is essentially moot.

But what if you unexpectedly tip over while already laying on the back deck?

That is actually the shallowest position for your head and body. If you roll on the right, your right arm is also between your head and the river bottom most of the time.

The traditional instruction is to “tuck forward immediately.” To move from the back deck into the setup position, however, you must pass through the sitting-straight-up position—the deepest possible position for your head. If you are facing downstream, that movement can also turn your face toward approaching rocks.

Then, after deliberately moving through the deepest position and spending more time underwater, you still have to set up and roll.

Why do all of that when you could already be right side up?

If I find myself upside down on the back deck, I don’t set up. I feel the pressure on my blade, engage my hips, and pop upright immediately. That is Phase 6: the intuitive roll.

Phase 6 is the ultimate goal, but it takes considerable practice to develop. You can still paddle appropriate whitewater relatively safely with a dependable three-to-five-second roll. The important words are appropriate and dependable—the river should be deep enough and suitable for your ability, and your roll should work consistently.

The risk increases when you begin missing rolls, remaining underwater longer, repeatedly flipping back over, or swimming. Every failed attempt adds underwater time, distance traveled, disorientation, and exposure.

That is why the progression matters. Develop a dependable Phase 4 roll. Build the ability to roll from less formal setups. Continue practicing until you can feel the blade, engage the hips, and roll immediately from wherever you find yourself.

A good roll is first time, every time.

A great roll is first time, every time—really fast.

Getting upright quickly and staying there is the real measure of rolling safety.

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

WANNA RUN A RIVER?

Are you an experienced flat water paddler? Only paddled on lakes or slow rivers? Ready to tackle something with a little bit of rapids?

Join North Texas River Runners for a paddle down the San Marcos River on Saturday, Oct 3 and optional Rio Vista whitewater park on Sunday, Oct 4.

This weekend is designed for novice paddlers that want to run a river with experienced paddlers. Not formal instruction, just a group of like-minded individuals that want to have fun 😎

The event is on a private Facebook group to limit the number and skill level of the paddlers. Please DM Donna Morgan for an invitation to the group.

09/08/2026

Sometimes all you need is a kayak, fresh air and the kind of camaraderie that makes you feel understood.

09/08/2026

09/08/2026