Re: [Paddlewise] Roll Good? Followup

MJAkayaker_at_aol.com wrote:

> 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.

It sounds like you're relying too much on the paddle and not enough on your
hips.  Or perhaps you're lifting your body or head prematurely.  Whatever it
is, it's forcing you to rely on paddle force to get up.  That'll work until you really
need it, then you'll be practicing a self-rescue.

When you finish with a layback, the kayak should be pretty much horizontal
with your head and shoulders slinking onto the back deck.   Your head really
follows everything else.  If the kayak isn't horizontal, perhaps you need to
work on the hip rotation.  It may be late (initiated well after the point your
paddle has swept straight out to the side) or lazy (not rotating enough or
lacking emphasis).  The rotation is continuous, starting at the beginning of
the roll and fully moving by the time your paddle is perpendicular to the
kayak.

Make sure your ear is "glued" to your shoulder and you're looking at the paddle
blade (or imagining if you keep your eyes closed).  The paddle sweep should
come from trunk rotation, not arm movement.  That is, you're moving your whole
upper body with the paddle, pivoting from the waist.

If someone can demonstrate a layback hands roll, it can give you a good image
of what the "slink onto the rear deck" is all about.  In this type of roll, the person
will appear to be floating horizontal in the water for just a second, then the kayak
is righted and the body slides from the water to the rear deck with just a tap of the
hand on the water.  The head and shoulders are well back and down the whole
time.

Sounds like you're learning!!

Mike

PS - by extended, do you mean a full Pawlata?  If so, try using a short Pawlata
as an intermediate roll rather than go straight to a screw roll, just for a while.
The short Pawlata is where your rear hand is at the point where the blade and
shaft meet.  More leverage than a screw roll, less than the Pawlata.  The idea is
to work on your _timing_ and _smoothness_ with decreasing emphasis on paddle
power.

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