[Paddlewise] Fourth kayak rolling session.

Last Saturday night I had my fourth and last (for this season) rolling
session.  For me this was a "let's see what I forgot from last time and
improve my technique" session.  Because I was still a little unsure I
wanted a spotter, which turned out to be a good thing.  As it turns out
I did forget something with my setup, and my spotter (I believe it was
Tom Casey) was a great help in figuring out what it was.
This was a learning session, so naturally I did blow a couple rolls.
    The first time Tom helped me back up.  On the second I decided that
I was going to have to learn to re set up while upside down (you can't
set up ahead of time every time in the real world), so I re set up and
rolled back up.  Either I had help from Tom, or I over corrected the
second time, because I almost went over the other side for a complete
360.  A quick low brace and I was upright and stable again.  My first
reaction was "wow, too strong on that one!"   My second reaction was
"Hey, that was a low brace! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!?"  Instinctive
bracing is something I haven't really started to work on yet.  My third
reaction was to apologize to Hal for bumping his kayak.  Honest Hal, I
was trying to stop.  But my paddle was still in the brace position, not
the brake position. (No, Hal wasn't upset.  When you put sea kayaks in a
swimming pool bumps happen.)
    Tom commented that I have a really strong hip snap, so perhaps he
was helping me the second time.  He also complimented me on my composure
under pressure.  I don't generally panic easily, and 2 feet under water
isn't really that much pressure.  Right?  But I do know some people
who's brain short circuits at that depth, so I can understand how that
could be a problem.  I am just thankful that I don't suffer from that
one.
    I would like to thank Tom for his volunteering to spot for me,
suspending his own practice and bailing out of his kayak to help.
People like this are one of the things I like so much in this sport.  I
promise, Tom, I will pay you back by doing for others what you, and the
other spotters, have done for me.  With luck I will be one of the
spotters next winter.  And thanks again to Jed, who did all the leg work
needed to organize these sessions and spent much more time spotting than
practicing.

Mike

--
    Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are
visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a
great
blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a
mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your
passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space.
Mark H Hunt


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