Yep, definitely worth finding a class. I thought it would be a terrific challenge to figure out how to roll on my own. If anyone could do it I figured I could. Some have done it, not me. My CKF friends and Jen Keck taught me to roll.

Describing it is incredibly difficult. Which side knee? right side up or up side down? I'm thinking through it right now and I can't figure it out or remember (and I was just practicing two weeks ago.)

In a very real sense there is nothing easier than rolling a kayak--if it's done correctly, done incorrectly it's almost impossible.

(Is there a torque or force gauge for paddles? Someone must be able to muscle a roll. I'd love to see the amount of force required to do it wrong, it must be enormous.
Then put the same gauge on the smallest skinniest paddler with a good roll. It'll read almost nothing.)

Videos help to reinforce understanding and technique. And after you get a roll on one side, work on the offside.

Will

How's this. One thing I learned from Jen is to have phrases for parts of a stroke, brace, etc.... (In a high angle forward stroke, "Watch your watch" and you will pivot at the waist.)

Upside down, hook knees into braces, hold the paddle almost to one end. Bend at the waist and lean all the way forward towards the deck extending the paddle blade as far forward as possible. (try to reach the bow of your kayak with the paddle blade.) Keep the blade near you out of the water. Now sweep a wide arc parallel to the surface, your pivot point is your waist not your shoulders. (Move your head to watch the end of the sweeping paddle--even if you can't see it. I'll bet Martha Graham the dancer would've been great rolling.)
Sweep almost a full 180 degrees (bow to stern) when you are in the last 135-180 degrees you should be laying on the back deck, head as low as possible. When you pop up you should be looking at the sky back arched on the rear deck. Say to yourself, "When I get up, prepare to brace," and don't sit-up until you say 'up'--this should keep you from rushing it and botching the roll.

: You'll learn quicker if you take a lesson from a qualified
: instructor, but you can learn on your own. I did. It just took
: longer than it should have and built bad habits that I later
: needed to break.