Re: [Paddlewise] Why is rolling considered and advanced skill?

I agree with your assessment of rolling being an advanced skill.  I
personally don't believe that rolling is an advanced skill, but many sea
kayakers seem to think that it is.  I found that once I learned to roll,
I was much more open to trying and learning more advanced skills and
more difficult conditions.

I'm guessing that it's because sea kayaking caters to a different breed
of person than WW boating does.  As an example, I led a beginners trip
this weekend and asked if everyone had adequate flotation in their boats
(air bags and/or bulkheads).  One couple responded that they did not. 
When I describe the problem they would have should they tip, their
response was that they never intended to get wet, so they didn't
consider the air bags important.

I see this a lot and I'd bet that this attitude is true of at least 25%
of the people who own "sea kayaks".  They're out there to enjoy nature
or to get some exercise - it just happens that they're doing it in a
boat, one that they believe is so stable that tipping and getting wet is
out of the question (in their minds).

	Greg Hollingsworth
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************