Re: [Paddlewise] self-righting devices

--- Kevin Stevens <kevin_stevens_at_hotmail.com> wrote:

> Why do you have them use the float instead of the paddle, if it's
>not
> easier?  Easier setup/angle maintenance?
> 

At least two reasons for this:

--"The paddle ruins everything."  Some people find the paddle
distracting.   I know at least one person who claims she learned to do
a hand roll before a "normal" roll because of this.  When I've tried to
teach people to roll, I've seen most go from a decent
hip-snap/knee-drive and layback when holding the side of the pool or my
hands to none of either as soon as they got their hands on the paddle. 
Hopefully, enough float practice will let them groove their body action
well enough to survive adding the paddle, and it gives them a nice
taste of success.

--"The paddle lets you cheat."  Strong paddle technique lets you make
rolls without much lower body action, but your roll will be weaker, and
less likely to work outside of pool practice.  Also, you will be even
farther from learning a hand roll.  I did once need my hand roll
(flipped while surfing and stuck my paddle into the bottom--bye bye,
paddle), and it failed, so I don't consider the hand roll to be just a
stunt.  I had trouble getting my skirt off, and would have been MUCH
happier if I had made that roll.

While I believe that sculling right up is considered one of the
legitimate types of Greenland rolls, it doesn't work as well with most
Euro paddles (or, at least, not for me).


Mike Wagenbach
Seattle 

Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 
a year!  http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************