RE: [Paddlewise] Dealing with fear

I am seconding John F.'s comments on fear - you may recollect I jumped in
earlier on this issue of fear and rolling.  After 30 years of paddling, I
can tell you that I still have that panic response as a first reaction to
going over.  I have a really good roll - the reason I occasionally miss is
that its working or not is totally dependent on "where my head is"
(figuratively speaking) as I go over.  If I'm doing endos in whitewater, on
purpose, I'll roll every time.  I have come up after a third, or even fifth
roll attempt,  in horrendous conditions.  That is, successfully rolled up,
not wet exited out.  I have also popped out on really unchallenging
situations.

Having a good nose clip helps;  having a face mask is even better.  But I
don't have to have either to roll successfully - I just have to be in
control of the panic response.  While learning the roll, we used to do races
with the Penn State Outdoor Club in an indoor pool.  I can do 3 rolls in 9
seconds.  It's not technique that gets in the way.

Only other suggestion I can make is to make a point of doing a roll almost
every time you get in a boat.  I'm not saying that I do, but I notice that
if I practice on a fairly regular basis, it helps to remember and not panic.

Natalie Wiest
Galveston TX

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