[Paddlewise] rolling

    Just learned to roll.  I was taught the C to C.  Just thought I might mention the sticking points I had while they are fresh in my mind so that any instructors out there might get a peek from the students point  of view.  The biggest problem was a diving paddle blade.  I finally had a good friend tell me to drag my left elbow across my ribs to keep the blade up.  It worked perfectly.  The second problem was a mental picture of what I wanted my torso to do.  After being told (repeatedly) to keep my rib cage wrapped around the hull while setting up I realized that what would work best was to think of my torso as a loaded spring and unleash the power of it while making the paddle stroke.  It really feels like my body is rapidly releasing a lot of energy once I start around.  Very interesting sensation.
    I went out the next day to practice.  It wasn't as easy as I had hoped.  I had to think hard about what I wanted to do.  I succeeded every time but it was tiring.  Hopefully a summer of practice will drive a  furrow deep in my brain.  
    It takes a brave person to stand waist deep in water while someone else blindly swings a very sharp, very large object around very close to their head and neck.   

            Jim et al

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