Video Review: Rolling with Maligiaq (This review by Greg Stamer, appeared in Atlantic Coastal Kayaker. It is reprinted here with their kind permission.)

Produced, directed and narrated by John Heath

Program length: 36 minutes, $30.00 U.S., plus $5.00 Shipping (overseas orders add $5.00 additional S&H).

Available in NTSC (for North American VCRs) or PAL (European format) from:

John Heath

1142 Thornton Road

Houston, TX 77018

"Rolling with Maligiaq" is John Heath's much-awaited new video featuring Maligiaq Padilla, the young kayaking phenomenon who won the 1998 Greenland kayaking championships at the age of 16. This production documents Maligiaq demonstrating approximately thirty different Greenlandic rolling and bracing techniques. The techniques are filmed from three different vantage points; viewed above water from the side, viewed from behind and viewed from underwater. There are also two interesting segments that feature Maligiaq discussing Greenland paddling technique and history in his own words. John Heath narrates the video over a background of tasteful contemporary music.

The video begins with Maligiaq introducing himself before launching into a discussion of several Greenland forward stroke methods. Covered is the beginner's forward stroke using a vertically oriented paddle blade, a more advanced stroke using a forty degree tilt of the paddle blade (top edge of blade is canted forward), the sliding stroke, sweep stroke, sculling and also advice on the use of the back, shoulder and stomach muscles. Unfortunately there is no footage of Maligiaq paddling but the video does have several slow-motion sequences of Maligiaq demonstrating his technique while sitting in one chair with his feet suspended in another chair to emulate sitting in a kayak. Maligiaq's English can be a little difficult to follow at times, but it is truly remarkable to have a Greenlander describe these techniques firsthand. I was surprised that Maligiaq did not mention the role of the legs in performing a forward stroke. I believe this was simply an oversight as Maligiaq did instruct students on the proper use of the legs during his travels around the country.

The second section of the video documents the Greenlandic techniques in the clear water of a swimming pool. This footage is somewhat similar to the first half of John Heath's video "Greenlanders at Kodiak" in presentation and content. The photography of the hand rolls and throwing stick rolls are exceptionally clear and Maligiaq demonstrates them on both his left and right sides. What I found very interesting was John's explanation of the purpose of many of the rolls and the Greenlandic name for some of the techniques as well. For example, John mentions that the reverse sweep roll (paddle swept from the stern toward the bow in a low brace) is a popular technique in Greenland since this roll allows less water to enter the cockpit if you are wearing an open sprayskirt. John also explains that the roll performed with the paddle held in the crook of the arm is useful if you have an object in one hand and don't wish to discard it in order to roll up. These comments help to make the viewer aware that many of these rolls still have a practical value, rather than simply being stunts or historical artifacts. John notes that a number of the maneuvers shown in the video were first documented by David Kranz in 1767, proving that rolling was advanced many centuries ago.

Section three features Maligiaq discussing kayaks, kayaking gear and the dangers of kayak hunting. Maligiaq paints the necessity of kayak hunting of bygone years in a non-romantic fashion and underscores the dangers by relating the story of his great grandfather who died in 1929 as a result of a hunting accident. Maligiaq's great grandfather had harpooned a seal but did not get the harpoon line free of the kayak in time. A seal can jerk a harpoon line with incredible force and this immense jolt, transmitted directly to the kayak, broke his great grandfather's back. Maligiaq briefly describes a few of the differences between Greenland kayaks built for rolling, racing and hunting. There are also some very good close-up scenes of a traditional Southwest Greenland paddle, complete with whalebone edging.

Section four takes us back to the pool and illustrates one of John's innovations, filming the kayaking techniques from behind (stern view). This allows the viewer to easily identify with Maligiaq and "feel" the movement in their mind's eye. For a number of the rolls I actually found my muscles unconsciously tensing and relaxing in sequence with the action on the screen. The photography of the maneuvers in this portion of the video is the clearest that I have seen. This footage will prove extremely useful for those paddlers who are trying to develop the proper mental image in order to learn these techniques.

The final chapter takes you underwater for a fish-eye's view of Maligiaq performing in one of Harvey Golden's beautiful kayak replicas. If you are working on a particular technique then you might discover some very good clues here. I found the underwater scenes of the "balance brace" to be exceptionally good. Be warned that the images follow one another rather quickly and until you learn John's terminology and the unique motions of the techniques you might feel somewhat overwhelmed. If you are investigating a technique, my advice would be to thoroughly review the above-water footage first and once you have a solid grasp of the maneuver, then view the underwater scenes.

I am very impressed with this production and feel that this work represents John's most polished production to date. I also found this a very entertaining video to watch. John Heath managed to capture Maligiaq's good-natured sense of humor, including some very funny, laugh-out loud moments. Although John is not marketing this video as an instructional tool, I have no doubt that with so many different techniques documented from so many vantage points, "Rolling with Maligiaq" will become the new "bible" for Greenland-style enthusiasts wishing to learn the ancient skills of bracing and capsize recovery.

Footnote: John Heath has dedicated "Rolling with Maligiaq" to the memory of Manasse Mathaeussen as one "who helped create a global awareness of Greenland Kayaking". Manasse is widely regarded as the "Dean" of Greenland kayaking and was instrumental in preventing many of the Greenlandic techniques from being lost forever. We also owe a tremendous debt to John Heath for his influential contributions to the Greenlandic kayaking renaissance including his prolific writings, kayak studies, teaching appearances and video productions.