[Paddlewise] Skills: bracing, rolling.

        A question for "my mentor" Dave Kruger. . . but I think a discussion
for the whole group. I've been paddling a year and have been around the
water, boats, and snorkeling all my life. . . 

        An ACA Instructor is trying to convince me that I need bracing and
rolling classes. I have huge problems with spending money on stuff I can't
hold in my hand. (Hey! The govt. paid for my degrees!) 

     

        Jumping all over the place now: I've tried getting back in the boat
right along the mouth of the Skipanon. . . in a decent current. I *can* do
it, but it means spending most of the afternoon moving radios and stuff on
my vest. Inflating paddle floats, moving the spare paddle way back on the
rear deck, scratching the bejesus out of the topside, and drifting aimlessly
while I try to get that second leg into the boat and turn/sit without
flipping over again. It could be really foul in heavy seas! 

   I have a dock on a lake where I can practice without current in fairly
tepid water. I plan to do some "dockside" work to develop a "bombproof" E.
Roll. I have a "curriculum" all laid out. . . start with holding the edge of
the dock and get a feel for the roll of my boat, work on a "snap" with my
hand on the dock. Next, work on a roll with a paddle float attached to the
blade. Move on to the roll with a paddle. . . I've been told that extending
the paddle and holding the blade in the "weak" hand is a good method
initially. I've read several works on the E. Roll, including Hutchinson's
out of print book on rolling. I'm a skilled reader (M.A. Lit) and my
learning style is to get several books and bone up (OK, teaching
certificates and classroom experience too. . .)  

        Ultimately I'd like to be able to roll without a paddle. I'm a very
strong swimmer and have a powerful stroke. I'm also very comfortable with
being upside-down underwater. I know that the Aleuts can roll with a rock in
their hand, and I've seen white-water dudes roll with a beer in the hand. .
. I know that this is possible. 

        Now. . . my real question. I can get back in the boat, and have a
wet-suit/dry-top combo that will save my butt et al from the hypothermia. .
. I'm really comfortable solo in my boat in stormy seas on the order of 3
foot plus. . . I've never come close to capsizing even in some good storms
and heavy seas. So just how skilled should I be when paddling way off shore
on the Columbia? 

        Geo./Svenn 

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