Re: [Paddlewise] self-righting devices

In a message dated 2/13/01 3:08:43 AM, timbre_at_spiger.com writes:

<< i'm wondering if anyone has experience with self-righting devices.  <snip> 
i'm asking because i am wondering if it might be handy in my situation:  i 
paddle a rec kayak with a huge cockpit, and can't get a neoprene skirt for 
it.  <snip> so rolling is iffy.  i am working on self-rescues, getting up on 
the back deck, braces, and my hip snap, but that's another post--- >>

    Rolling with some kind of inflatable device is no easier than rolling 
with a paddle. Best, I think, to learn about all of your self-rescue options 
and practice them all often. I am a strong believer in the mastery of the 
roll as the key to truly effective bracing, so by all means continue to work 
to learn to roll. But remember that some people have paddled for years and 
years and never learned to roll and feel they don't need it. In their own 
minds these people enjoy the sport no less just because they haven't been 
seduced by the "Dark Side". So there is room for advocates on both sides of 
the discussion.

<< so what do you all think?  it's about $120---not cheap.  i wonder if i 
should be practicing hip snaps with a kickboard from a not- quite-rolled-over 
position...??? >>

    Hi. My name is Jed, and I'm a gear head. I buy, just to try, everything 
and anything that sparks my interest. I have a pile of crap that I'll never 
use again that is nearly as large as the pile of stuff I use all the time. I 
have never tried the "Roll-Aid", but I believe with all my heart that there 
are a more than a few better ways to spend $120.

    You can get the same functionality from a piece of rigid foam; first it 
will cost significantly less, you do not have to worry about punctures so you 
won't be asking how best to repair it, you won't start a thread about not 
being able to find the CO2 cartridges or having the unit blown away by the 
wind, etc, etc.

    Kathleen, you are a musician, correct? You know all of those "Learn to 
play music in 5 minutes" programs? Do you really believe that someone can inte
rnalize and retain years or decades of musical training by spending 5 minutes 
with some video? Learning to handle a kayak artistically is no different from 
learning to play an instrument. At first we are all clumsy and looking for 
the "silver bullet" that will make us a virtuoso. But if we practice 
regularly and search for the essence of the instrument we will eventually 
find grace, efficiency and our own unique artistic sense.

    If you can perform a hip snap with a kickboard, then you can learn to 
roll. It may take time, but just keep working towards the goal. I have every 
confidence that you'll be helping newbie's with their questions before too 
long.

Jed
Certified non-expert in various aspects of life


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