Re: [Paddlewise] Reentry & Roll - What then??

Peter D Osman wrote:

> G'Day,
>
> Postscript - I sent my last reply before reading the latest Paddlewise
> digest and seeing all the questions - not used to telephone modems yet!
> Thanks for all the responses - here are the replies: -
>
> Doug' wrote:
> > A reliable Reentry and Rolls in real-world
> > conditions is the sum of many parts. You
> > can't break it down and say this or that is
> > the most important part.  ................
> > You can see the set-up I use at my
> > Nordkapp page, along with some other photos:
>
>                 Doug, Thanks - I'll certainly check it out. I guess the learning of
> techniques starts in pieces which become,   integrated with time - I sure
> hope this applies to older paddlers like me!

(snip)
---------

Peter, et al:

As ralph pointed out, the way the Reentry & Roll (R&R) used to be taught was such that little
water would enter the cockpit by re-inverting to the upright position after fastening the
skirt underwater. I usually do a little instruction at the end of my paddlefloat clinics,
then go on to demonstrate the speed of the R&R over the full paddlefloat rescue, then go on
to help a few of the keeners try it out. I would say that the vast majority prefer a
side-scoop style reentry, as opposed to full inversion. With a very buoyant PFD, one almost
always floats by default to the horizontal position before completion, anyway, necessitating
more of a side entry, with consequential flooding. The side entry (kayak is laying on its
side as opposed to completely upside-down), can also be a little easier on the head in cold
water. Trying to get back in fully immersed, then orient your paddle's power face, then roll
back up remembering your hip snap -- all the while not perhaps seated as you normally would
be for a typical roll where you are locked in place -- all with an ice-cream headache, can be
very difficult indeed. On the flip side though, without a paddlefloat on the end of the
paddle, some paddlers may not have the sculling/bracing skills to right themselves once they
are sitting partially back in sideways. There are all kinds of tradeoffs, depending on your
methodology. I noticed some of the CRCA instructors here on the west coast of Canuk land are
advocating the side entry over full immersion, and actually coaching against full immersion.
I prefer to define the various parameters for students, then let them work with what suites
them and there boat/skill level best.

During my Trial Island incident a few years back, a full immersion R&R was too much for me to
handle, given the storm/tide/ poor fitness/mental malaise/lack of cold immersion headgear.
Every time I tried the full immersion method, I got a vertigo type response, and lacked the
savy/strength to get directly under the boat for the proper reverse wet exit, let alone do up
the spray skirt. Conditions were extreme, though. I tried the side entry method, but the
waves kept barreling toward me, flocking me with spin drift as well. I eventually said screw
that, and inflated my broad based backup plan, namely deploying my anti-hypothermia Sea Seat
(I very much doubt I would have had the dexterity to handle Sponsons).  I had done many prior
R&R's in rough water, as practice, and was very frustrated that I couldn't make it work at
the time. I have since gone back and perfected the points where I felt needed improvement,
and the failed attemt seems like a lifetime away, now. For practice, a nylon skirt easily
attaches upside down, but I must admit that my custom UK skirt with inner latex seal is
difficult to put on at the beach, let alone underwater. Of course, the idea is to not come
out of the boat in the first place. I wonder how easy a Tuliq (spelling escapes me tonight)
would be to reattach underwater. Of course, those type of paddlers never come out of their
boats, right?

I still prefer a full immersion R&R. You must get directly under your kayak, straight-arming
so you stay directly below and perpendicular to the cockpit.  Your dry suit better be burped.
My mental trick in times of stress is to simply remember that you are doing a REVERSE wet
exit, which means start the maneuver by looking at the reverse of you kayak. A mental trick
that works well as long as you know what end is the reverse of your kayak. Once back in,
upside down, the buoyancy of your PFD should push you in tight to your seat, for the roll
set-up. If tired, do and extended grip, lay-back roll. I guarantee that will work. A tether
is a nice back-up. If the skirt still needs attaching, you can get a breath, relax, then roll
over, reattach, then roll back up. The boat is definitely more stable upside down. But then
you already know that, as that is why the boat went over in the first place. I could go on ad
nauseum here, but my bed is calling my name. I also have a manuscript 50% done for Sea
Kayaker Magazine. I'm waiting for some rough weather to test a few more points out and get
some pics for the article, but it has been warm and calm this winter - drat! If SK rejects my
articlet, I'll submit to the next best payer, though my preference lies with them.

I also have three years worth of PW commentary, as well as other list-server posts on the
Reentry & Roll technique. The subject has come up a number of times. I'd give the threads to
Jackie (PW ones), but I only cut and pasted the portions that interested me, sorry. I'll
respond to the front deck paddle hold down tomorrow.

DL


>

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