ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Kayak roll

Alright kiddo, imagine you have a toy boat or a rubber duckie that you really like to play with in the bathtub. But one day, it turns upside down and you can't make it go back up! That's kind of like what happens when a person is kayaking and their boat turns over in the water, it's called flipping or capsizing.

But don't worry, kayakers have a special move called a kayak roll to flip their boats back over again without getting out of the kayak. It's like magic!

So, when a kayaker capsizes and their boat is upside down in the water, they stay calm and take a deep breath. Then, they tuck their head close to their chest and push their paddle down into the water on one side of the boat. This move is called a sweep.

Next, they use their core muscles to roll the boat back upright, while keeping their head tucked down and their body close to the kayak. This move is called a hip snap.

Finally, the kayaker takes another deep breath and brings their head back up, ready to continue paddling! It takes practice and skill to do a kayak roll, but it can help kayakers feel more confident and safe on the water.

So remember, if your toy boat or rubber duckie tips over in the bathtub, just go "sweep, hip snap, and breathe" to make it right again - just like a proper kayak roll!
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