Re: [Paddlewise] bombproof roll, cockpit size and rescue scenarios

From: Ulli Hoeger <uhoeger_at_is.dal.ca>
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 10:32:29 -0300
I wrote:
> <In a large cockpit it is to easy to end up to far in the front,
> so you have to slip back to your backrest before setting up for the
> roll.>

> Ulli - This has not been my experience with the re-entry and roll. Using a
> keyhole cockpit (such as the ones on a VCP or NDK boat, not the super-large
> cockpit some boats have), I deliberately tuck myself all the way into the
> boat, feet beyond the foot braces and against the front bulkhead. I don't
> make a point of being on the boat's seat when I set up for the roll. The
> seat of my pants is either on the boat's seat, or just in front of it. The
> roll seems easier than a standard roll, and I'm not referring to a
> paddle-float assisted roll here.
> 
> I'm not sure why this roll is relatively easy, but it is. Perhaps it has
> something to do with the fact that the boat is quite low to the water, since
> it's partly swamped. Also, the paddler's weight is well aligned with the
> center of the boat. I've taught others to do the re-entry and roll this way,
> and they've had the same good luck with it that I've had.
snip
> Bill Hansen
> Ithaca NY
> 

Hi,

Thanks for your comment.  A paddle float assisted roll isn't a 
problem at all, as long as you are somewhere, smoehow in the 
boat.  That's the great thing about it.  If you can get back under 
water and reenter your boat I think it is likely faster and more 
stable than an outrigger paddlefloat rescue. OK there is more water 
in the cockpit, so get a good, handfree pump.   

Rolls without paddle float work without being in the seat and on the 
braces.  I think -for a roll-beginner like me- it is more of a head 
problem.  I simply don't feel right, and if you start thinking to much 
about it you'll sure blow the roll.  
I believe that is a big part to get a "bombproof roll"  -Don't think 
about it, Do it- .  As soon as your butt is higher than your head, set 
up, sweep, snap, and be save (in theory at least). 

I also found a partly swamped boat easier to roll.  When I had my 
own kayak first time in the pool I though I lost my roll.
I wasn't able to do it.  After a while I had a success rate of ~50% in 
the pool (before in plastic boats -CD Storm, WS Sealution etc.- I 
was already closer to 90% in the pool).
My boat is a 24 inch beam, hard chined boat, that might be the 
reason for the harder roll.  At one point I started to practise to 
paddle float reentry and roll to get a bit more from my pool time. 
Soon I found out that I could reenter and roll without the paddle 
float, since there was some water in the cockpit.  Subsequently I 
spent a lot of time rolling without a sprayskirt, just to get the moves 
imprinted in my brain.
Last weekend I had no water in the cockpit but a lot of gear in the 
hatches, and I realy didn't want to blow the roll (cold water, 
everybody watching etc.) -sometimes a little pressure works 
wonder. It worked out pretty easy, a great confidence builder for 
future attempts -when the water is warmer.

Cheers

Ulli



Dr. Ulli Hoeger
Dept. Physiology and Biophysics
Dalhousie University
Halifax, B3H4H7, Nova Scotia
Canada

Phone I : 902-494-2673
Fax: 902-494-1685
Phone II :902-488-6796
http://is.dal.ca/~uhoeger
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Received on Tue May 30 2000 - 06:35:26 PDT

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