Moin! I tried to read and understand all your different point of views on rolling. But nevertheless I could add some aspects. Since I could roll a kayak, my paddling style is becomes another one. I could paddle more self-assurance. What had been before fear, changes into respect for the element water. When I get a second hand glasfibre kayak "Umiak" from Paddel-Meier (5,60m and 48cm; for all non SI-user [SI = Systéme International d´Unités, 1969] 18 ft 14,7in x 18,9in) I understand how useful and indispensable the roll is on all paddling aspects. (The Umiak is almost round, gots two extreme bows with overhang, drives in waves extreme wet an fast. It is one of the most difficult kayaks I ´ve ever seen and Petri Sutiinen [Winner of the Arctic Double] told me after he tested the Umiak, "With that boat you should win the race" (ASKR).) When I started playing canoe polo, I (have to) learn the roll in all its aspects and much more. The important aspect on the roll is the knowledge on all leaning techniques. Meanwhile I could lean inch by inch into the water and back. Roll in slow-motion. I react in most conditions in kind of reflex with leaning on the paddle, even while I uses most time a Bracsa II racing paddle. I tell all beginners, "look out for a chance learning and playing canoe polo. There you learn the best roll and all other techniques. When I have to show my roll to the chief of the arctic sea kayak race (every participant have to proof a self resuing technique), I have to roll several times on the left and right side. Afterwards I was told, he never had seen such a roll before and tried to watch out the trick ... www.zoelzer.de invented a roll-float-aid, attached on the shaft. It´s a 32g CO2 system which inflates the float in a few seconds and you can roll up easier. Costs about 140 USD. Maybe an alternative or completion. I only got my oral inflatibel float, in case my rolling-technique let me stand alone. Best regards Jochen Grikschat << Nobody is perfect, but that´s not my name! >> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Feb 14 2001 - 01:51:53 PST
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