[Paddlewise] Roll Good? Followup

Well I survived the pool session today.  I am thoroughly convinced that the 
"you will know it when you feel it you over analytical dummy" approach is the 
best for me.  Trying to slow down did not seem to help.  One person did 
comment that my "normal" speed was real smooth and did not seem that fast.  

I got in and did my first two rolls (non-extended) with no problems.
I then thought "Slow down and feel what is happening".  Missed the next 
three.  I am sure these will be highly featured in the "What not to do! " 
section of the video that was being taken. With my confidence really shaken, 
I went back to the extended paddle roll  and I came right up on the next two 
without trying to slow down or really thinking about what I was doing. 

I decided to try the non-extended roll again but at my "normal" speed.  I 
made it up on each of the next 3 tries.   The thing that did seem to make the 
most difference was adding some "punch" with the paddle at the very end while 
I was laying back.  By "punch" I mean extending my left arm (pushing the out 
of water blade up) and at the same time bending my right arm (pulling down on 
the blade in the water).  I would end up with the paddle at between a 30 and 
45 degree angle to horizontal.  When I did the extended paddle roll I ended 
up with the paddle almost horizontal (less than 15 degrees) and my left arm 
still slightly bent.  I may need this "punch" just because of poor technique, 
but it really seemed to help on the non-extended roll.

The off-side was hysterical.  I started working with no paddle and using a 
spotter for a little support.  I laid over sideways and tried to "hip snap", 
lay back, and with a little pressure on his arm get up.  You would think a 
person would know up from down on either side, but rather than bending my 
head down into the water I just kept lifting it up.  Finally managed to get 
myself up (but only with pretty heavy pressure on the spotter's arm).  My 
time was running out , so I decided to go for it.  I set up on the off-side 
and turned over.  The first thing I noticed was that I had no idea where the 
paddle was.  Finally got it above the surface and after a few seconds of 
thinking "Which hand do I sweep out?", I executed the most brillantly done 
off-side paddle dive that anyone has seen.  I put that blade to the bottom of 
the pool in record time.  I did not even wait for the spotter.  I just did a 
wet exit and headed for the side of the pool.  Well there is always next time.

Thanks again for all your helpful comments.  Despite my earlier "over 
analytical dummy" stattement, I really do think they helped.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
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