Re: [Paddlewise] Anxiety, Wet Exits and Rolling

From: Bob Volin <bobvolin_at_bestweb.net>
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 21:55:05 -0500
A small point to add to the wealth of useful information on this and related
threads---

I find that a simple "hang-time test" is a good confidence builder for the
paddler anxious about wet exiting, as well as the paddler who is hurring
roll attempts.  Simply have the anxious paddler hold onto the toggle of your
boat, and have him/her capsize while holding on while you time the hang
time.  Even anxious paddlers will settle in to the task by the third trial.
Most will come up in something between 20 and 40 seconds.

Tell them their time and then use the opportunity to point out how this
gives them plenty of time to relax, gather their wits, plan the next move,
and try three or four rolls before having to come out of the boat.
Emphasize the value of just settling down for 2-3 seconds before doing
ANYTHING, and reiterate that this is just a small fraction of their hang
time.

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Received on Thu Mar 08 2001 - 18:54:40 PST

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