Re: [Paddlewise] FAQ on rolls somewhere?

From: <wanewman_at_uswest.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 18:18:11 -0600
I strongly agree with Peter.  He suggests an excellent book on rolling but most
people just don't have a good enough sense of their bodies to see a figure in a
book and then duplicate the motions described.  Unless you are gymnast or
professional acrobat odds are you need someone to critique your movements and
tell you what you are actually doing as opposed to what you thought you were
doing.

I used to help teach a kids karate class it was amazing how you could
demonstrate a basic stance, show it describe it, explain which way each hand,
foot, knee etc is supposed to be aligned......and then look around and see each
student with a different but wrong version of what you showed them.

Add to this lack of body sense the confusion and disorientation of being turned
upside down under water and the odds are really against you figuring out the
roll easily on your own.  Also every time you practice a movement incorrectly
you are reinforcing that motion so you have to unlearn it and relearn the
proper way.

Pair up with a good instructor, preferably one-on-one in waist deep water so
they can move your paddle and body through the correct movememts over and over
before you try to "solo" and roll for real. Any paddlwisers in the Minneapolis,
MN area are invited to attend the TCSKA pool session on December 3rd.  I will
be teaching a free rolling class that night and the cover charge for pool time
is just $10.

Peter Treby wrote:

> The few general books on sea kayaking I have read do not describe rolling
> well enough to teach yourself.
> Paul Dutky's "Paddling on the Edge: the Bombproof Roll and Beyond",
> available through Amazon.com for $14.95 USD and elsewhere gives very
> detailed and helpful analysis.
> You can flog yourself into a waterlogged half-drowned ruin trying to teach
> yourself to roll. A good teacher and an hour or two in a pool are well
> worthwhile.
> On the internet, look at:
> http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/articles/roll.htm, and
> http://www.bristol.digitalcity.org/org/sports/canoe/kayakrol/rolling.htm
> Regards,
> Peter Treby
> 37º 42' S  145º 08' E
>
> ***************************************************************************
> ***************************************



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Received on Sun Nov 12 2000 - 16:16:28 PST

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