Re: [Paddlewise] Ballast and sponsons...where is the kayak?

From: "Fernando Lopez Arbarello" <kayak_argentina_at_yahoo.com>

> This time I see that I may have made an incomplete apretiation, Mike. And
> the cause might be we based our analysis in different environments.
> 
> All my experience is based in Argentina, where kayaking is not as spread as
> in the USA and where almost everyone who aproaches the sport has some
> sportive background, at least when young. 

That's a key point.  Sports that are relatively new to an area tend to 
first attract the athletic who are predisposed to learning physical
tasks.  Later, as the popularity grows, the less skilled try to find
some adventure through the sport and then we see a wider variation
in skills and ability to aquire new skills.

> I have succeded 100% of times teaching roll, to men and women of different
> ages. Even a fat 60 years old businesman who never practiced sports since
> his school times but found the idea of kayaking relaxing. It took him only 2
> days. 

Teaching an initial roll and having the same student become adept at
that roll (and its offside version) under "combat" conditions are
two different things.  You start them, but it's up to them to advance
beyond that.  I've seen a lot of examples where advancement is slow
to nonexistant once the initial roll is learned. 

Keep teaching and I hope you enjoy success.  Encourage the student
to continue advancing in roll skills as well.  It will make them a
better paddler.

Mike

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