Re: [Paddlewise] learning curve and forgiveness

dana wrote:
>>> I
keep 
telling him he needed to practice the basics till they were second nature
with wet exit and reentry skills (which he has not worked on) because he
wants 
to learn to roll first. Now I do not blame this instructor on teaching a
student
what they want to know but being able to roll with bad skills doesn't make
up for 
anything except maybe being able to roll up after a bad brace, when with a
good 
brace he would not need to roll in most situations. <<<<

i do not see that working on one skill inhibits learning others. an awful lot
of paddling skills are inter-related, especially recovery/bracing strokes and
rolling. developing boat control muscle memory helps progress bracing skills
to rolling skills. psychologically being able to roll inspires the confidence
which allows bracing in increasingly challenging conditions.

having said that, i wholeheartedly agree that all too little effort is put
into developing effective foward paddling skills(which can make a trip more
enjoyable and safer) in many teaching settings. part of the difficulty is that
many people do not care to practice, practice, practice (including me!) so
that interspersing work on several different strokes, especially on other than
flat calm water helps keep a student's interest and enjoyment level up. one
good lesson should provide material to refine and make intuitive during many
subsequent weeks of paddling.

george ruta
northcountry kayak
518-677-3040
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