4 weeks. 25 or 30 wet exits. 40 or 50 bottom braces. Uncounted attempts. Finally having a real roll: priceless. 4 weeks of 2-hour sinus-filling, miserable, paddle-until I'm dead, cold, and sore pool sessions. After the middle of that 4th week, when I finally hit the screw roll and filled the building with an ear-splitting "Yeehaw!" all the pain was forgotten. I didn't have a professional instructor--not that one would have helped--it was my fault for continuously raising my head--but I had a few very patient friends who guided my paddle blade through the motion every time. I find that wearing a dive mask can really help you relax and get used to the "down time". Admittedly, it is a big crutch, but it can help prevent learning bad habits from panicking and trying to get above the wrong way. It takes a bit of practice afterward to stay calm again without the face mask, but by then, you already have the roll, and your "down time" doesn't have to be so long or scary. Shawn Dana wrote: > After 2 attempts at eskimo rolling and failing > miserably and panicing, I am wondering if someone > could mention how many attempts it took them to get it > down. -- Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 2000 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.geocities.com/shawnkayak/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I still need to work on my roll, sign up for another pool class session. I know what I'm doing wrong, head up too soon. Part of the problem I have is too much time in the water doing snorkeling. There, all your control is in your legs, so having the legs trapped in the kayak really bothers me. Wet exit, legs free, I'm fine. I've even managed some cowboy recoveries, just climb back aboard. I'll try using a mask, or at least nose plugs next time, I think I inhaled just a bit too much clorine last time I tried learning to roll. dave *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I probably tried more than half a dozen pool sessions on my own, unsuccessfully. I had the paddle positions down, but was trying too hard with the paddle, and not nearly enough with hip movement. Then I paddled off St. Simons Island GA with the fellow who sold me my sea kayak. He had me rest my hand on his kayak and go through the motions. Then he had me try a roll with my paddle. Success on the first try! I repeated it on my own in the surf. It was so natural, and so easy, I couldn't believe it. The whole thing is in the hip action. Went back to the pool and did it successfully two out of four times, and promptly lost it. I went back to my old habits of trying too hard with the paddle. Darrell Lee Alameda, CA snorkler_at_juno.com > Dana wrote: > > After 2 attempts at eskimo rolling and failing > > miserably and panicing, I am wondering if someone > > could mention how many attempts it took them to get it > > down. *************************************************************************** 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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