[Paddlewise] the "bombproof" roll

G'day,

Question from a Novice
     Listening to the rolling debate leaves me puzzled. If no roll is 
bombproof then are wide cockpit boats intrinsically 'safer' than narrow 
cockpit boats? (By wide cockpit boat I mean one that can be entered backside 
first and conversely a narrow cockpit boat is one that has to be entered 
feet first).
     Here's the argument: - if an expert at rolling can't always roll in 
difficult conditions then what other method is suitable under those 
conditions? Several posts and some of the literature have suggested that a 
paddle float reentry would not be likely to work in severe conditions and I 
think a cowboy reentry into a lightly loaded narrow cockpit boat in such 
difficult conditions would also be near impossible. In a wide cockpit boat 
or just possibly a heavily loaded narrow cockpit boat, might a "Cowboy" 
reentry still work when a roll or paddle float reentry does not? I would be 
very glad to hear an experienced opinion on what experienced kayakers would 
do when their roll becomes unachievable?

All the best, PeterO

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.....

Scott wrote:
<snip>
>I've said it before and I'll say it again; common sense and good
>judgment are far more important in this sport then are skills and
>equipment.


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