Re: [Paddlewise] "Rollability" vs. comfort

From: "Gordon Snapp" <grsnapp_at_charter.net>

> One thing concerns me.  If I have a seat back tall enough for me to paddle in
> comfort, will it make it excessively difficult for me to roll my boat?


Yes and no.  Mine is tall enough to be comfortable and I can do a full layback.
However, my backband may be too low for you, in which case your seat will be 
higher and may prevent a layback.

I don't know what the cause of your back problem is, however, I do note that
many paddlers tend to slouch in their kayaks and find backbands uncomfortable.
You should be sitting with your spine sloped slightly forward from the hips.  
This means that a low backband is fine.  If you are sitting and leaning back 
on your backrest, you will "need" a high backrest and that will impede your 
layback.

Some paddlers, of course, can't paddle with a forward lean all the time
and/or will need more back support, so if that's your situation, unfortunately,
you're stuck.

Dr. ummm, whatisname...  The kayaking doctor that lives in southern ON and
gives first aid lectures at the Great Lakes Sea Kayaking Symposium...
yeah him... He stresses the importance for paddlers of keeping their 
abdominal muscles strong - it aids posture, prevents back pain and improves
paddling.  If you are not up to snuff on your abs, then that's something
to consider - it will aid your back and contribute to good rolling -
recovering from a layback needs strong abs.

If you are absolutely stuck with the high back rest, then borrow a kayak
(or re-outfit yours temporarily) for an easy layback and learn to roll
with a layback roll.  I say that, because for many, that's an easy 
place to start.  Then progress to a forward recovery roll - at which
point you can replace your high back support.

Personally, I'd never paddle a kayak that I can't layback on.  A layback
is not only a way to finish a roll, it is a way to start some rolls,
to start sculling and balance braces, to rest and look at the birds 
and various other things.

Mike
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