Re: [Paddlewise] ECCKF Advanced Rolling Course and thougths (long winded)

From: "Gabriel L Romeu" <romeug_at_erols.com>

> I think your point is good though, as some sort of
> gratification is certainly an incentive to continue the discipline.

That's really what I'm after.  You comments on keeping the hands on the
paddle are certainly valid when bombproofing a combat roll is the 
objective.  But I'm really after the "get started" phase.  Once the 
paddler feels that something can be achieved they have the confidence 
to move on.  I don't really care if the roll that achieves this is
a parlour trick that isn't useful in a real-world scenario.  They can
advance to those combat rolls later.

I've seen people quit trying to roll because they can't nail down a
sweep roll.  I'd rather change their objective than see them quit.

> > Perhaps we have to get GPs into the hands of these students. [...]
> 
> I think this is a generally good plan for someone either not bought into
> a style of paddling or just starting out.  An experienced euro blader
> would have a good sense of indexing which is less of an issue.  I find
> that if the blade and wrist is cocked right for the beginning of the
> sweep, encouraging the student to use a looser grip will even allow the
> euro to take a natural plane as in a GP. 

Letting the paddle do its job always beats fighting it.  This is even more
obvious when rolling with a bent shaft paddle.  The castering effect of having
the grip ahead of the blade (in terms of line of action) almost guarantees a
clean, dive-resistant sweep.  Nonetheless, the fine edge of an EP is "grabby"
and once the dive starts it's a problem.

> I think if I never need a manifesto written Mike, I coming to
> you...interesting post!

Yet, on re-reading it, I don't think I captured the essence of what I feel.
But then, I can't seem to get that feeling into words.  

Mike

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