[Paddlewise] Pool Session Report (longish)

In a message dated 3/30/00 7:44:24 PM, jaf30_at_cornell.edu writes:

<< >"Steven W. Jarvis" wrote:
>>I finally quit raising my head, but I'm still having problems with my
>paddle position.
>
>Then Mike wrote:
>>On the paddle dive issue there are usually two causes.  The first is
>putting too much weight on >the paddle.  The second cause is blade angle.  
>
>Then Joe Brzoza wrote:
>Here's a third cause:  When setting up and sweeping you may not be keeping
>the blade at the surface of the water. 
>
> Then John Fereira wrote:
Actually, that's related to number 2.  If the blade is at the wrong angle
at the beginning of a sweep it's not going to stay at the surface.  >>

    Normally I try to stay out of these kinds of threads, but since Mike Is a 
friend, I would like to toss in my 2 cents.  IMHO, Paddle dive is caused by a 
combination of weight on the paddle and the angle of the paddle. With no 
weight a flat blade will not dive. With too much weight, even the correct 
angled paddle will dive. With or without weight a diving angled blade will 
dive. In my experience students of the roll tend to pull down on the paddle 
rather than pull themselves up by their knees followed by the hip rotation. 
There are thousands of ways to screw up a roll and significantly fewer ways 
to do one correctly. 
    The Screw Roll sweep should not lift the paddler but rather move him/her 
into position for the hip rotation. Screw Rollers will improve their roll by 
learning and emulating a C to C roll that forces you to get into the proper 
position without the added lift of the sweep. Try to sweep with the paddle 
out of the water and you will get the idea.
    The real power of the roll comes from buoyancy of the torso versus 
inertial as the hips pull the boat beneath the paddler. Over-reliance on a 
paddle is the crutch that stops most people from ever developing that 
bombproof Combat Roll. I still think that the Screw roll is most appropriate 
roll for a sea kayaker at sea, but the C to C is the roll to practice and 
learn from

Thanks for letting me ramble.
Jed

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