RE: [Paddlewise] Foam and Back band Outfitting

Joe Brzoza wrote:
> 
> Speaking of outfitting, last night I went and borrowed a WW kayak to use
in
> some up-coming pool rolling sessions (I didn't want to take up the entire
> pool with my 17 1/2 footer) and I noticed that it doesn't have any sort of
> back rest.  I know zero about WW boats so is this normal?

Steve Cramer wrote:

>WW boats didn't used to come with backbands, but some (eg, Pyranha) do
>now, and most people I know add one. Without some back support, your
>quads are supporting your upper body, and if I paddle like that they're
>screaming the next day. Actually, they're screaming after about 2 miles.

>If you're just pool rolling with it, it doesn't matter much, but you
>might want to add a backband. Doesn't have to be fancy; my son used to
>us 2" webbing in his WW boat. I would suggest you outfit it to as much
>back support as your SK, so that you don't learn a wayback lean roll
>that you can't do in your "real" boat.


I just thought I'd follow up on my first pool session.  With about a 1/2
hour of 1 on 1 instruction I was able to pull off my first ever roll - a C
to C roll (I hope Derek H. isn't reading).  It must have been obvious that I
was a newbie so another participant offered me some assistance - to which I
was greatly appreciative.  Afterwards I was told by another of her
credentials and multiple certifications and that I was lucky to get such
"world class" instruction. 

So I continued to practice for the next hour and a half, only stopping to
occasionally empty the kayak of water - I was using a coated nylon touring
skirt.  I can't say that I have a bomb-proof roll right yet but I can nail
it by the second or third try.  Next week I'll work on my off-side and maybe
try a different type of roll - perhaps the Pawletta (sp?).

A few things I'll do different:
1.) Add a backband of some sort.
2.) Stretch out before hand.
3.) Add minicell at knee and heel contact points (and wear booties)

My quads and hamstrings hurt so bad today I can barely walk!  I should have
listened to Steve.  And my knees are bruised from jamming them into the
deck.  So we'll have to fix that for next time.  

I'll offer one last tip to anyone trying to learn how to roll, SNAP that
hip.  The books I have read haven't really emphasized how powerful that
movement must be.  I first started out just kind of rolling my hip over and
that didn't work worth beans.  Once my instructor got it through my head to
really thrust my hip it became much easier.  So easy that I had to learn to
brace on the other side or I'd go right over again.





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