Re: [Paddlewise] Paddle floats

(SNIP)
>
>I learn to roll because its fun.  I would still roll even if all I paddled
>in was perfectly flat, calm water.

Do you feel you represent the typical kayaker on this?

>
>I dispute your claim that the roll is needed because you find yourself  in
>conditions you can't handle.  A capsize doesn't mean the general
conditions
>are beyond your ability to control the boat.  If this is what you belive,
>John, then you are seriously mistaken about the role of rolling.

I made no such claim. Participants on this list have repeatedly pointed out
the danger of not being able to roll. I have echoed those comments. I
wonder if your attitude (as admirable as it may be) reflects the reason why
most people learn to roll. If so, then learning to roll can hardly be seen
as essential to sea kayaking since most people don't paddle in the
conditions you mentioned.

Correct me if I error but are you saying the roll is not a rescue technique
for accidental capsizes?

>The roll lets me play with conditions that I would otherwise have to
paddle
>in survival mode.  A capsize doesn't always mean you can't handle the
>conditions .  It means an isolated event caught you off gaurd.  It means
you
>tried to put the kayak into a weird position that didn't quite work (eg.
an
>ender or a flat spin).  As long as the conditions don't prevent you from
>rolling and you're in control, you can handle the conditions --- even if
>they regularly cause you to capsize.

Do you feel you represent the typical kayaker on this?

(SNIP)


>By having a roll, I lean that much harder when I carve turns.  I can head
>into a  tide rip  and play 'cause I know if I make a mistake and flip, I
can
>pop right back up.  I can aggressively use sculling and draw strokes and
not
>worry about the consequences of a mistake.  Rolling lets me more fully
>experience paddling.  Its a liberating skill that opens up huge
>opportunities for more fulfilling paddling.

Good for you but do you feel you represent the typical kayaker on this?

My point seems to have gotten obscured.

Do you ever paddle in conditions where you would not paddle unless you had
a rescue skill or rescue gear?

Would you refuse to paddle in higher risk conditions if you did not have
the gear?

Cheers,
John Winters
Redwing Designs
Specialists in Human Powered Watercraft
http://home.ican.net/~735769/


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