Re: [Paddlewise] How many rolls?

In a message dated 2/17/00 7:30:39 PM, baker_at_montana.com writes:

<< This is goal #1--don't capsize!  Like Scott said, "Needing to perform 

any rescue at all is a result of a failure on your part". >>

    I respectfully disagree. Mark you need to be aware that a set of 
questions like you have posted will draw as many different opinions as there 
are people reading this list. Just remember these are opinions and not gospel.

    Kayaking for me is a three dimensional sport. For me kayaking is a very 
wet sport and I like it that way.  I enjoy rolling, so much so that I've made 
a commitment to myself to roll at least half a dozen times on each side every 
time I paddle. That way, if I wouldn't roll in it, I won't paddle it. This 
also helps to keep my rolls very strong. I feel very safe knowing I will not 
have to swim.
    I have capsized accidentally exactly twice this past year. Both times my 
paddle was not in my hands while I was fixing or adjusting something. I don't 
consider these capsizes failures of any kind. I was testing my limits as I 
believe we all should.  It irks me to here the "Never Capsize" or "Needing to 
roll is a failure" slogans. If you never capsize or never have to do an 
extreme high brace your not learning the advanced skills that will keep you 
safe in the sea.
    Some kayakers never push themselves, that's fine for them but others of 
us who like the rough conditions need our skills to exceed our exposure. For 
many of us this means learn everything, every roll, every sculling style, 
every Greenland technique with every style of paddle in every type of 
conditions.

    So Mark, my advise reads like this: Learn whatever rolls you feel have a 
benefit for you and learn them on both sides.  My favorites are the Screw 
Roll for speed and the Pawlatta for power. Learn to roll on both sides, 
despite some of the opinions you'll hear, the offside roll is nearly as 
important as the onside. I don't yet have a hand roll but I will keep 
practicing until I can hand roll on either side regardless of the conditions. 
As you progress you may decide to learn other rolls. Other rolls will fine 
tune your understanding of the dynamics of the water/kayak/paddler system. 
Never stop learning, it what keeps us young.

Best of luck
Jed Luby
Goffstown, NH

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