HI Paulo, I’ve been using you online video for a few years now, starting with the layback rolling one. The most useful thing that I have taken from these videos is that torso rotation really starts at the feet and involves the butt & hips more so then twisting at the waist or shoulders. This has be a great help to me in preparing for upcoming BCU4* assessment & ACA L3 Instructor Certification Exam. My confidence in conditions and ability to maneuver my kayak is vastly improved. Your demonstrations and explanations are clear and concise and yet disclose some techniques that I have not seen in other online video courses.
Ryc Williamson
Portland, Washington
Hi Paulo,
After watching your Layback Roll Tutorial I spent 2 days at the sea trying to do it. First day it did not work, so I went back on the videos and I found out what I was doing wrong. The second day it was a success. Following your steps I got in the balance position without panicking when upside down and then the roll came effortlessly, exactly as you describe it. Now I am not afraid of the uncomfortable position during capsizing and I am looking forward to practicing more and make my roll reliable.
I did not believe that some videos without the physical presence of the instructor would work, but it did and it did really fast!
Andreas Sandalis
The videos have elevated my skill levels substantially. First, they introduced me to the Greenland paddle. So I dusted off the Greenland that was hanging in our family room and after a month I was converted to being a Greenland paddler.
The videos show how to better maneuver a kayak. For example, now when I turn it’s a stern draw and a bow rudder; it’s automatic. The rolls are one continuous sweep and sculling, bracing and edging are smother.
The videos have given me tools to continually improve my skills. It’s refreshing to learn from a master paddler.
Carl Vopal
Thiensville, Wisconsin
If you are looking to get the most from your kayaking experience and want to extend your abilities, Paulo’s bracing videos will help you do that in a methodical way. Paulo has a way of teaching that allows the student to excel at his own pace and build on prior lessons with ease.
When I first got my Greenland Paddle it was difficult for me to let go of my Euro Paddle techniques and my performance suffered from this. Paulo has opened another world for me with his patient teaching. I like the way the videos blend the use of rolling, bracing and sculling to form a solid set of skills that keep me from panic when I find myself in an unfamiliar, dynamic situation that requires immediate action.
My confidence has been greatly increased since I watched and applied these lessons.
Butch Chase
Juneau, Alaska
I am seeing great results with the exercises shown in the videos. I’ve taken rolling lessons before, but never had this success. Thank you for the wonderful videos
Jack C
Silverdale, WA
I couldn’t roll or do a sculling brace before I watched Paulo’s videos but now I can do both on both sides of the kayak. I’m very glad I came acress his rolling program and will definitly dontineu to follow his videos
Julie 😀
First, let me tell you that I bought your basic forward stroke videos and at 75,now 76, years of age I did what you said to do. (I had only kayaked once before and dug and drug the paddle using only my arms and shoulders.) By following your guidance I developed a reasonably good forward stroke from the git go. I can go out and paddle 3 or4 miles and really enjoy it. I used to be a rock and mountain climber, cross country skier, backpacker, and snowshoer but have lost some of the use of my legs. Your excellent video course has let me find an outdoor activity that I really enjoy
ST Cooper
Thanks for the great bracing vids. Very clear and helpful. ( I especially like the underwater shots. )
Steve Bullas
Your forward stroke video series are a pleasure to watch, I found that they are easy to follow and simply make sense.
You have a special way of breaking complex ideas into simple, easy to understand and useful advice.
I would recommend them to any paddler that wants to improve the efficiency of her/his forward stroke with any type of paddle.
Monel