Re: [Paddlewise] PRACTIVE ROUTINES

In a message dated 8/28/00 2:46:49 PM, Rick.Sylvia_at_ferginc.com writes:

<< Or, as an alternative, I'm considering 4 hours of practice every month, or
perhaps  2  half-day nothing but practice sessions every quarter,
regardless of how many hours I've been on the water. >>

    My own feeling is that once a month keeps my skills and equipment checked 
out. I can't see where the amount of time I spend sitting in my boat has a 
lot to do with being able to get back into it if I come out. I don't include 
rolling in this category. I've just gotten mine and I'd suspect that needs 
more attention because of the nature of rolling. You body has to remember it 
and the timing, which you will loose over time not practicing.
    That said, another note to practicing: I actually do practice more 
because I have a strength/weight problem. I can rescue myself with my 
equipment but my most regular paddling partners have real problems helping me 
back into a dry boat. That means inventing ways each of them can help me and 
practicing those with them. The assisted rescue I find the easiest for me is 
the between the boats and hoisting myself with my legs rather than attempting 
to pull myself up with my arms from the outside.
    Woody did that one with me this past weekend and he found a way to give 
me a really stable platform to come up onto. Now, I need to get him to teach 
others how to do that for me. He described it to me but I'm not sure I quite 
got the, "Hold the bow of the boat in your arm pit." I was so thrilled that I 
could just slide back into the boat that I didn't get him to actually SHOW me 
what he did differently than in the past. My mistake. I'll correct that next 
weekend.
    If you can roll, do it in every kind of water you paddle in. The worse 
the conditions, the more you will learn and the sharper your skills will be. 
It really isn't the hours spent practicing but the expanding on the basics. 
Start each session with the basics and go a few steps beyond. Challenge 
yourself so you don't get bored but don't do so much that is beyond your 
skills that you get frustrated. If you can do an extended paddle roll learn 
to roll with the paddle held a bit shorter. If you have a great roll, learn 
to scull up. Learn new skills but never neglect the basics.

Joan Spinner
Winter user of the pool,
who has yet to try to 
roll in really cold water.
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