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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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