> >Jolie Smilowicz wrote: > > snip > > > I can feel my heart race increase > > > when someone says "wet exit." I still don't know how I get out of the > > boat, > > > but I always do. > > snip > > > Jolie > > Just so that you know that you're not alone... >Snip There was one particular woman that > had to do it about five times before she didn't look like she was panicking > when she went upside down. I asked her if she had spent much time just > swimming underwater. > Yes, she had quite a bit of experience. She was a registered lifeguard. > > It's not just being underwater that seems to bother people but going under > water while still in the cockpit with a sprayskirt attached. Niels was > mentioning several games/exercises that would make it a bit easier >Snip John-- how about a wet exit, with an underwater swim to a particular location, like the side of the pool? And thanks for all the support. I feel better already! Jolie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> Jolie Smilowicz wrote: > snip > > I can feel my heart race increase > > when someone says "wet exit." She further explains that this fear has nothing to do with actual danger: It is irrational. Jolie works on her roll to get over this fear. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Dear Jolie, Of course, a 100% bombproof roll might help to make sure you never have to perform a wet exit, but since the fear is irrational, the roll might not help completely. A not-bombproof roll might not help at all. I think you have to face the fear head-on, instead of finding ways around. Like someone afraid to cross bridges and takes a ferry instead, you won't have to face your fear, but you have to take a big detour sometimes to get out of the way. Try to face the wet exit in small steps. Since the word "wet exit" is enough to scare you, read the following list out loud, and repeat every line until it doesn't fear you anymore: DRY EXIT GETTING WET ON A HOT DAY WET ENTRY WET SOCKS DAMP EXIT WET ROCKS RAINY EXIT WET SLEEPING BAG WET MATCHES COLD EXIT WET POLYPRO WET EXIT Now that you're used to the word, it's time to start with the actual water. After trying to drink it, shower in it and looking at it you might actually get in to swim and dive in it. You might try to close your eyes and picture the concepts above. If the wet sleeping bag keeps scaring you: Don't worry, I have the same problem. Okay, the part about the words is not serious, but I am serious about attacking the fear head-on, not avoiding it the rest of your life. I am just as serious about taking it in small steps. In my previous mail I give a suggestion about these small steps. Be easy on yourself. Be nice to the child inside: It is this child that is afraid. Take it by the hand, talk to it, help it. Do not push it or hurt it. (That's what my therapist keeps telling me... I may not be afraid of water, but I have my own fears that I will not discuss here.) Good luck, Niels. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Jolie, Like you, I used to have a totally irrational fear of being upside down in my boat. I am a fairly good swimmer and there was no reason for this fear. I would start with the best intentions of counting to 10 before I started to wet exit and before my head was completely underwater, panic would set in and I would be scrambling to get out. What cured me of this was a rolling class in a warm pool. The pool was probably heated to 90 deg F and I found that with an instructor beside me and warm water, I really could stay under for a while. Although I am still learning to roll, I no longer panic as the boat is going over, even in cold water. Steve > >Jolie Smilowicz wrote: > > snip > > > I can feel my heart race increase > > > when someone says "wet exit." I still don't know how I get out of the > > boat, > > > but I always do. > > snip > > > Jolie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Another fun pool game is to toss your paddle somewhere in the pool, capsize and "swim" over while still wearing your boat and then roll up. Or for those who can't yet roll, wet-exit. Shows that you can still get some air while in the boat and inverted and that you are in control of what happens when you are under water. It also looks funny. For the more experienced it is a good exercise in rolling with a paddle in less than optimal conditions, i.e. upsidedown or backwards. -Patrick PS I've been working on the vertical storm roll and I have to say that it is about the coolest and easiest roll I have tried. Also seems like a great roll for surf or anywhere else where the border between water and air is a little less distinct. Haven't tried it in conditions yet but am curious how well it holds up. At Tuesday, 29 January 2002, "Jolie Smilowicz" <jolie_at_rockisland. com> wrote: >how about a wet exit, with an underwater swim to a particular location, >like the side of the pool? [SNIP] *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Another fun pool game is to swim laps inverted on a single breath while wearing your boat, which builds confidence in the amount of time you can be under water while exerting yourself. Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Maun" <patrick_at_patrickmaun.com> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 6:08 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fw: Dealing with fear > Another fun pool game is to toss your paddle somewhere in the pool, > capsize and "swim" over while still wearing your boat and then roll > up. Or for those who can't yet roll, wet-exit. snip *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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