If you really want to know how good/consistent your roll is in "heavy chop or in the reaction waves thrown up by heavy wakes on a narrow, winding river", try some moderate river paddling. I can't fully emphisize the cross-over benifits of whitewater paddling to ocean paddling. You will learn good boat control via boat lean & paddle technique. You will learn the value of staying "in" your boat. If you do swim, you'll learn to hold on to your boat & paddle. You will learn to read water. I wouldn't be so bold as to say that rolling is neccesary to safely enjoy kayaking. Many paddlers can't roll. Paying attention, paddling in a group, paddling in safe enviroments and other rescue techniques can serve you quite well. Many of these paddlers are far safer than those that don't grasp the limitations of their skills and equipment. On the other hand, nothing changed kayaking more for me than learning to roll. NOTHING! Go ahead, do that deep brace, carve that gnarly turn, roll over to cool off on a sunny day, catch that wave!!! Rolling will add another color to your paddling palette. A very valuable one! Ken Mannshardt Bay Area Sea Kayakers *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue May 19 1998 - 16:14:48 PDT
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