Re: [Paddlewise] Rolling a K-lite

From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 18:10:20 -0700
Bob Denton wrote:
> 
> I had a chance to try and roll a K-Light on Saturday and gave up after 3
> attempts. I had no problem flicking back off the bow of another boat but
> couldn't get any purchase on the Feathercraft. There was too much lateral
> movement. It felt like a couple of foam hip pads may do the trick?
> 
> Does anyone roll a K-Light? If so, how did you outfit it?

I haven't but have watched it done.  Also had a lead article in one of
my newsletters this year about rolling one.  Apparently when the boat
was first introduced in 1993, Chris Cunningham, editor of Sea Kayaker,
got in one and rolled and rolled it over again.

The person who I saw do it over and over again in a pool in Philadelphia
was a first time roller, really learning on the K-Light how to roll.  He
had no particular padding inside (nor on him...a small fellow).  He was
also using the slippery seasock.  He almost got an off side roll in the
sessions I watched him.

The secret?  Obviously padding would help and there are sorts of
approaches to this.  But another few tricks to try are:

--bring the foot pedals closer to you than is normally comfortable. 
This helps jam you in place more tightly driving your knees into the
deck fabric for better grip.

--recognize that the boat has a bit more inertia to it than a
hardshell.  So let the boat come up more on its own before doing a sweep
or whatever roll you do (this I got from Ken Fink of Poseidon Kayaks in
Walpole Maine, who regularly teaches people how to roll using K-Lights.

ralph diaz
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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Received on Mon Sep 11 2000 - 15:12:35 PDT

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