Learning to roll is not mandatory, but it is a very, very, very, very good idea. While it's too strong a statement to say "Everyone must learn how to roll", I haven't heard a good excuse yet why someone would not want to learn a roll.

One other thing that you can read between the lines of what Brian said is that you learn a lot of kayak handling skills on the way to learning to roll. Rolls are based on braces, sweeps, and sculling, and you will be well on your way to learning a lot of these advanced paddle strokes by merely concentrating on learning the roll. Not to mention the fact that failed rolls are merely good opportunities to practice your rescuing skills!! And, like Brian said, when you know how to roll, you are more willing to "push the envelope" so to speak and really lean and edge your boat without fear of a capsize necessitating a wet exit. You just roll back up and keep going.

Safe paddling,
Shawn

: Learn to eskimo roll. There are two reasons for this. First, it's much easier
: and safer to roll back up in the event of a capsize than it is to wet exit
: and re-enter. Secondly, having the ability to roll allows you the freedom
: to work on bracing, sculling and other advanced paddle strokes without to
: worry about wet exits and re-entries if you make a mistake and capsize.
: Your paddling will take on a whole new dimension, once you learn how to
: roll.