[Paddlewise] the "bombproof" roll

Well put, Dave.

I remember a friend's incident a few winters back.  He's also a WW
paddler (1st & foremost), rodeo playboater really, who rolls WERE
"bombproof" - on and offside.

With water temp. about 40 and air temp. around 50, he came paddling with
our group dressed in a shorty (or farmer john) wetsuit.  Pushed against
the ~20 kt. wind down to a play area that was kicking up, wore ourselves
out (least I did :-), and surfed back up the shore as the wind and waves
picked up.  Our group was in a very loose spread with him about 25~50
yds. in front of me at the back end of the group (I was sweep that
day).  Whether he got sloppy or just fell asleep at the helm, he caught
something wrong and capsized.  I watched him set up for a roll on his
good side, down wind as his capsized boat turned to broach the wind /
waves.  As soon as he went for the hip flick, the paddle shaft went
vertical and back over he went (C2C, I think).  Good pause before the
next attempt - same side.  Same vertical shaft and failed roll (Sweep
Roll, I think).  Another pause.  His last roll attempt (as I reached
him) was an extended pawlata (same side again) with the same results. 
With my reaching him on the upwind side and his rolls being on the down
wind side, he didn't know I was there for a bow rescue and popped out of
his boat.  Surprisingly, he was a lot more frustrated with three
consecutive blown rolls than he was cold (guess you WW paddlers already
have ice in your veins).  Helped clear his boat and got him back in it
as the other paddlers arrived and everything worked out.

His problem had been that his broached boat was being blown over the
paddle with more force than he could apply downwards to execute the
roll.  I kind of doubt that even Doug Lloyd or Matt Broze could have
pulled off the down wind rolls he was trying that day.
Lesson #1 - Can't roll up on one side due to the forces working against
you?
	Switch sides and make the conditions work for you.
	He could have possibly hand rolled his way back up
	on his off, but up wind side _that_ day.
	Best example I know to have an offside roll, even a sloppy one ;-)
Lesson #2 - There's no such thing as a 100% BOMBPROOF roll
	So have a good Reentry & Roll in the repertoire and
	always approach the sea with respect before it teaches you humility

Vince
mid Atlantic storm paddler
who hasn't gone for an unintentional swim
yet

Dave Seng wrote:
> 
<snip>
>   It's very important to be able to self rescue in a wide range of
> conditions (and I'm a firm believer in the concept of self rescue being
> the first, best, and only truly reliable rescue) but don't put all your
> eggs in the "I can roll" basket.....
> 
> Paddle Wisely My Friends,
> Dave Seng
> Juneau, Alaska
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