RE: [Paddlewise] Survey results

Hi Scott,

I enjoyed reading your post.  I have inserted a few comments and done much snipping.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of
> KiAyker_at_aol.com

<SNIP>
>    The problem I have been having has to do with putting a value on the 
> Eskimo roll for touring/sea kayakers.  While I agree that 
> learning the roll 
> usually makes learning bracing and other skills easier, and it 
> can instill a 
> greater sense of self confidence in the paddler (a good thing?), the fact 
> remains that some very dramatic voyages have been undertaken by 
> kayakers who 
> could not roll, either because they lacked the skill, or because the boat 
> they were using was not rollable. And what about canoes? Few 
> canoeists can 
> reliably roll their boats, yet some remarkable journeys have been made in 
> canoes, not to mention they are regularly used for running 
> whitewater. And 
> what about sit-on-tops, folding boats and doubles? I just don’t 
> understand 
> why the roll is apparently of such great importance to beginning 
> sea kayakers 
> while it is virtually ignored by experienced  canoeists and explorers? 

I think rolling is great.  I taught a pool session last night we had 7 students none with any prior rolling instruction and in two hours four of them had rolled using a standard sweep roll and a euro paddle held in home position.  No extended paddles.  Two of the four were rolling very reliably and believe it or not one was rolling on both sides.  Teaching methods have indeed changed. 

However, as much as I love rolling, as firmly as I believe it is the best rescue technique, I don't think people should be needing any rescue techniques if they are paddling within their limits.  If I looked out at a crossing and said hmmm might have to roll a couple of times on this one, I would fire up the stove, put on another pot of coffee, and stay on the beach.  The only exception I will add to this is paddling in true coastal environments where surf landings are a must.  Even then I will try to pick my landings where the odds of capsize are minimized.  This philosophy of course does not apply to play-boating such as fun in the surf zone.  I consider this a sport separate from touring.


I think the experienced people you mention above are relying on finely honed judgment, which in my opinion is worth more than a good hand roll.

> However, the "hard liners" I frequently butt heads with seem to view the 
> sport, as well as the rest of the world, in terms of black and 
> white. There 
> isn’t any compromise – there’s right and wrong, this way and 
> that, and they 
> don’t want to be confused with the facts. 

Few things are black and white.


So I was trying to 
> force the issue 
> by having people assign a single numerical value. 
>    I think one of the problems with this sport is that it can be 
> so different 
> depending on whose doing it and where. "Sea kayaking" seems to 
> cover a pretty 
> broad range of equipment and activities. Some people actually 
> like the short 
> fat "sport" boats, while the rest of us wouldn't’t want to be 
> caught dead in 
> one (or perhaps that’s what we’re afraid of). Tooling around in a 
> local lake 
> or harbor, fishing, surfing, racing, camping, while all falling under the 
> heading of "sea kayaking," all have different requirements for 
> equipment and 
> skills.   Should we teach rolling as a beginner skill - should we 
> always wear 
> a pfd, a dry suit, a wet suit  - what’s the best boat - can I 
> paddle alone? 

Here we get to the meat of the issue in my mind.  Kayaking is a very individual sport.  People need enough safety gear and skills to make _them_ feel comfortable in the environment _they_ paddle in.  Doesn't matter if I'm comfortable with boater x paddling without his pfd or not.  If he feels he is within his abilities good for him.  The fact that I may think he's a moron is not important.

I know some kayakers that have been paddling a long long time that couldn't pull off a roll in a pool much less in combat and wouldn't wear a drysuit in 30 degree water but I'll bet that they continue to paddle without incident.  In many ways they are safer than some highly skilled folks I know.


> After 
> all, we are living in a democratic society where the views of the 
> majority 
> make up the rules. If everyone decides that rolling is an intermediate 
> kayaking skill, well, I guess I can live with that. I don’t 
> necessarily agree 
> with the majority, but I’ll try and go along with it anyway (see there. I 
> actually do listen to you folks sometimes).

Oh I dunno Scott, the majority may make the rules but that doesn't make them right.   

Thanks again for an interesting post.

Cheers,

--
Rob Cookson
		3 Hats Design
		INTERNET  PRINT  ILLUSTRATION
		5201 15 Ave NW 
		Suite 220
		Seattle, WA 98107
		206.851.8202 direct line
		206.784.1641 main office phone
		206.784.2231 main office fax
		mailto:rob_at_3hats.com
		http://www.3hats.com 

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