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From: Gerald Foodman <klagjf_at_worldnet.att.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 13:43:33 -0800
Despite having a reliable roll (screw and C-C) on either side, I signed up
for a 3 hour semi-private pool roll lesson.  You can always improve with
some coaching.  But I would also like to learn some trick rolls and braces
so I can impress the world,  demonstrate ultra macho-ness, and receive
admiring accolades from the woman of my life.

What tricks and moves should I ask to be taught?  Hand roll, one hand roll,
Zen roll, vanilla roll?

Jerry

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From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 17:36:29 -0500 (EST)
On Sun, 31 Jan 1999, Gerald Foodman wrote:

> Despite having a reliable roll (screw and C-C) on either side, I signed up
> for a 3 hour semi-private pool roll lesson.

The rodeo roll seems to be handy.  Mine isn't dependable yet.
I like the final body position of a C1 roll but haven't figured out how
to adapt it to a double blade, or for that matter do it properly in a C1.

>  You can always improve with
> some coaching.  But I would also like to learn some trick rolls and braces
> so I can impress the world,

For paddle strokes you might grab a freestyle canoeing book and try adapting
the strokes to a kayak.

>  demonstrate ultra macho-ness, and receive 
> admiring accolades from the woman of my life.
> 
> What tricks and moves should I ask to be taught?  Hand roll, one hand roll,
> Zen roll, vanilla roll?

If you learn any fun ones let us know.  Descriptions of spectacular failures 
might also be appreciated ;-)

I'm doing rolling sessions monday nights and have picked up a few hand rolls.
Admittedly they are all in a whitewater boat, so far, there just isn't room
in the pool for a sea kayak.  For hand rolls - front deck, back deck,
sculling, C to C, one handed cross body (as a layback roll).  My current
favorite hand roll is to flip over, rotate sideways so my shoulders are
near the surface and my shoulders parallel to the keel.  I then put my arms
straight out the the side, sweep them over my head and then pull downward.
Basically it's the butterfly stroke done fully submerged.  

Supposedly there is a roll in one of the John Heath videos where the paddler
flips over, mimics paddling along, with the paddle in the "normal" above
water position, and then rolls up.  By somehow angling one blade into the
water and sculling like a madman....  I haven't seen the video and my 
attempts at recreating the description have been comical at best....
When this roll finishes the paddle is underneath the boat.

kirk
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From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 19:55:25 -0800 (PST)
On Sun, 31 Jan 1999, Kirk Olsen wrote:

Kirk, the roll you describe below is done with the paddle completely under
the boat the entire time. I have tried, and made it about 85% of the way
up. But unfortunately, the last 15% is the hardest by far. It's an
impressive roll. Equally impressive in the John Heath video is the
rock-in-fist, one-hand roll. Finally, I think the hands-tucked-in-skirt,
no-hands roll is the best of all. Never seen the last one performed
however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
but probably is.

Kevin

> 
> Supposedly there is a roll in one of the John Heath videos where the paddler
> flips over, mimics paddling along, with the paddle in the "normal" above
> water position, and then rolls up.  By somehow angling one blade into the
> water and sculling like a madman....  I haven't seen the video and my 
> attempts at recreating the description have been comical at best....
> When this roll finishes the paddle is underneath the boat.
> 
> kirk
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From: Dan Hagen <dan_at_hagen.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 20:29:10 -0800
Kevin Whilden wrote:

> ...<snip>... I think the hands-tucked-in-skirt,
> no-hands roll is the best of all. Never seen the last one performed
> however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
> but probably is.

I agree that this is the most impressive roll. I certainly can't do it,
but I have seen a video clip of the no-hands roll in the video "Grace
Under Pressure". This is an excellent instructional video. 

Dan Hagen
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From: Julio MacWilliams <juliom_at_cisco.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 22:47:26 +73600 (PST)
> however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
> but probably is.
> 
> Kevin

In my last conversation with John Heath, he told me that there are
now at least 7 people in Greenland who can perform crossed arms roll.
John can not do it, be he knows how. He taught John Petersen, the
former Greenland champion, what the movements were, and now John
Petersen is one of the few that can roll with his arms crossed.

- Julio
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From: John C. Winskill <johncw_at_narrows.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 1999 10:38:19 -0800
Julio;
I know that Jon Almquist of Pacific Water Sports (PWS) can do the this
roll.  Jon's picture and short bio can be found at:
http://www.pwskayaks.com/index.htm

John Winskill

Julio MacWilliams wrote:
> 
> > however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
> > but probably is.
> >
> > Kevin
> 
> In my last conversation with John Heath, he told me that there are
> now at least 7 people in Greenland who can perform crossed arms roll.
> John can not do it, be he knows how. He taught John Petersen, the
> former Greenland champion, what the movements were, and now John
> Petersen is one of the few that can roll with his arms crossed.
> 
> - Julio
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From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 13:25:22 -0500 (EST)
On Sun, 31 Jan 1999, K. Whilden wrote:

> the roll you describe below is done with the paddle completely under
> the boat the entire time.

that's the one I'm thinking of.  the rpm that I'm playing in seems too
wide to be good for trying it.

> I have tried, and made it about 85% of the way
> up. But unfortunately, the last 15% is the hardest by far. It's an
> impressive roll.

Is it doable with a feathered paddle?  My envisioning of it is that it
is accomplished by sculling, with the challenge being that it's a pushing 
(pry) scull instead of the pulling (draw) scull.

Hmmm, I'll have to try it again this evening.

> Equally impressive in the John Heath video is the
> rock-in-fist, one-hand roll.

Is the rock in the hand doing the motion or the other hand?

One of the guys at the pool session I'm in is working on a one hand roll 
where he twirls the paddle in the other hand (above the boat) as he 
rolls.  He's about 30% successful.

> Finally, I think the hands-tucked-in-skirt,
> no-hands roll is the best of all. Never seen the last one performed
> however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
> but probably is.

I think it is...  A pfd may be helpful, I'll have to drag mine into the pool
tonight and flail ;-)

kirk
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From: K. Whilden <kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 10:54:33 -0800 (PST)
On Mon, 1 Feb 1999, Kirk Olsen wrote:

> On Sun, 31 Jan 1999, K. Whilden wrote:
> 
> > the roll you describe below is done with the paddle completely under
> > the boat the entire time.
> 
> that's the one I'm thinking of.  the rpm that I'm playing in seems too
> wide to be good for trying it.
> 
> > I have tried, and made it about 85% of the way
> > up. But unfortunately, the last 15% is the hardest by far. It's an
> > impressive roll.
> 
> Is it doable with a feathered paddle?  My envisioning of it is that it
> is accomplished by sculling, with the challenge being that it's a pushing 
> (pry) scull instead of the pulling (draw) scull.

I have only had success with a greenland paddle. I tried it a little bit
with my AT whitewater paddle with 45 deg feather, and had a really tough
time. The boat I was using was a P&H Capella (22" beam I think).



> 
> Hmmm, I'll have to try it again this evening.
> 
> > Equally impressive in the John Heath video is the
> > rock-in-fist, one-hand roll.
> 
> Is the rock in the hand doing the motion or the other hand?

Rock in hand that is doing the rolling.

> 
> One of the guys at the pool session I'm in is working on a one hand roll 
> where he twirls the paddle in the other hand (above the boat) as he 
> rolls.  He's about 30% successful.

One other neat roll, is to ask some rafters or tubers for a can of pop (or
beer...). Then flip over, pop the top of the can while both hands are
sticking up in the air, and then roll up without spilling a drop. :)

> 
> > Finally, I think the hands-tucked-in-skirt,
> > no-hands roll is the best of all. Never seen the last one performed
> > however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
> > but probably is.
> 
> I think it is...  A pfd may be helpful, I'll have to drag mine into the pool
> tonight and flail ;-)
> 
> kirk
> 

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From: Mel Grindol <grindol_at_my-dejanews.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Trick Rolls
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 1999 14:13:36 -0000
On Sun, 31 Jan 1999 19:55:25   K. Whilden wrote:
>Finally, I think the hands-tucked-in-skirt,
>no-hands roll is the best of all. Never seen the last one performed
>however, only mentioned in campfire discussions. It may not be possible,
>but probably is.

It definitely is in a whitewater boat.  A small local lake that I occassionally dink around in is frequently used by a local whitewater group for practice sessions.  While getting ready to get in the water one day I watched a guy in a whitewater boat do successive rolls with his hands tucked in the arm hole openings of his PFD.

They also play a version of soccer.  They have a large (3 foot diameter) ball that they bat around on the water.  It is hilarious to watch them madly paddle to the ball and swat it with their paddle.  :)

Mel
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