Re: [Paddlewise] Roll practice and failed rolls

Peter Treby wrote:

> Doug Lloyd writes:
> "I was able to fine-tune my off-side roll, and nail down an
> issue that has been responsible for a few missed rolls over the years
> (one's that had dire consequences)."
> Care to enlarge on what that issue was?

Nothing too elaborate here. I find with my wider Lendal "Nordkapp" paddle with
its larger blade is more difficult to push through the water up high to clear
the bottom of the kayak. Combined with the fact that my roll of preference, the
screw roll, doesn't provide as much leverage as some other rolls, and the fact
that the sweeping blade must be swept out to 90 degrees to present the best
angle for the downward stroke portion, everything must be one just right. Often,
after I've failed to set up correctly, I get "locked" into a position where the
downward stroke is done at about 45 degrees. After about three attempts (in real
life, cold/rough water) one simply runs out of air and bails out in a panic. A
person of my experience and particular pursuits should have isolated this
problem long ago. Anyway, I was able to simulate the mistake, then figure out
how to restore the correct positioning within a few seconds, saving the roll and
myself from a panic bail-out. It simply involved making a conscious effort to
get the paddle blade back to the surface and sweep it out to 90 degrees, then do
the downward stroke. I also practiced some modified vertical storm rolls which
permitted downward strokes being performed with the blade somewhat submerged.


> I blew a roll in surf last weekend and wet exited, very annoying. While I
> haven't missed a roll on flat water practice for a while, I realise that all
> the flat water practice in the world doesn't help prepare for
> knocked-over-breathless-roll-up-knocked-down-again-totally-out-of-air-violen
> t-surf conditions. So ideally you need to practice rolling in the most
> boisterous conditions available.

Yes and no. I find surf very easy to roll in, as I use the wave energy to good
effect. My difficulties usually arise in fast moving water scenarios and
breaking deepwater waves with a high wind component.  I should also add that my
usual modus operandi with a failed roll attempt is to switch to a n extended
Pawlata Roll, but as this requires repositioning of the hands, I've tried to
avoid that and work out a really strong primary roll that I can stake my life
on.

Cheers,

Doug

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