Re: [Paddlewise] Eskimo roll

>Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 23:50:40 -0700
>From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net>

Matt, thanks for the tips.  I just had my first roll lesson last night.  After an hour I still hadn't rolled, my shoulder was sore (easy with my shoulders to get sore), but I felt like I had made progress.  I am at least settling into the start position and getting the roll semi started correctly.  I also got to where I could feel it failing, stop, and reset to the start position again and try a second time.

A few comments below.

>Paddle flat on the surface (slap it to
>make sure)

I'll try that, but I'm fairly certain I'm starting with it flat.

>Once in the upside down and bent way forward at the waist starting position
>for this roll (with the paddle blade as far forward as you can hold it),
>rotate your torso even further in the direction it is already twisted in and
>stretch out as far as you can as you sweep the paddle blade. Sweep the blade
>in as wide an arc and as far away from you as you possibly can.


I don't think I'm reaching out far enough or leaning forward.

>Almost all learners do just the opposite and pull all their
>muscles (especially the biceps) inward towards their body in an attempt to
>force themselves up and lift themselves out of the water like doing a
>pull-up.

I think I'm doing this.  I'm definitely bringing my head out too soon.  I can get up for a quick breath before falling back in.  My instructor said to think of looking at the bottom of the lake instead of the sky.  Need to work on that.

>Stretch outward as far as you can keeping your
>arms straight, do not pull inward towards your trunk! (Repeat this a dozen
>times aloud).

Stretch out.
Stretch out.
Stretch out...

>Instructors vary in technique here, but I like using the tip-over on the
>same side as you will roll up on as a wind-up for the roll

Hmmm, I didn't try that.  He had me do the traditional setup, paddle beside boat, fall to paddle side, and then roll.  My initial problem was that I wasn't waiting long enough for the boat to fully settle upside down and was starting my roll with the boat still at an angle (with the angle on the wrong side (does that make sense?)).  My instructor said to wiggle my butt to get the boat to settle fully upside down before starting.  After that I could semi get up.

Unfortunately my next time in the water practicing rolls won't be for a couple of weeks.  I'm going to Seattle next week (vacation) and will miss the next whitewater club session (I joined a local whitewater club to get instruction).  I do intend to stop by Mariner Kayaks and try out a few boats.  Hey Matt, want to take an hour and work on my roll?  :)

Mel
---
There are three types of people, those who can count and those who can't.



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