[Paddlewise] How many rolls?

From: <MJAkayaker_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 23:55:36 EST
In reading about rolling, watching some demonstrations, and actually taking 
lessons I have come across a variety of rolls.  I am not going to devote all 
of my paddling time to learning 20+ rolls, but I do want to try to pick a 
couple to work on.  Since I use a Greenland paddle, I have started with what 
Dowd's book calls a standard Greenland roll (extended paddle, paddle 
providing lift during the sweep to a perpendicular position, then hip action, 
then a layback with some addtional downward pressure on the blade in the 
water).  The only other roll that seems to be really useful is a hand roll 
(this is actually more of a question than statement).  Some of the questions 
I have are:

1. What are the benefits of having both an onside and offside roll?  

Is it worth the effort?

2. Is a hand roll really useable in the kind of conditions in which you would 
likely get turned over?   

Would it take an inordiante amount of practice to develop the hand roll to 
this point?

3. Are there condtions where the so called standard Greenland roll will not 
work well?

What roll would work better in these condtions?

4. Is there another roll that I should be working on and why? 

Your opinions and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

P.S.  I realize that I am not likely to go directly from the extended paddle 
roll to a hand roll.  I imagine I would have to work through a standard screw 
roll, and then to a half paddle roll in order to improve my hip action to the 
point that I could even attempt the hand roll. 

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
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Received on Wed Feb 16 2000 - 20:56:18 PST

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