Re: [Paddlewise] Big Rolls

From: "Mark Sanders" <sandmarks_at_attbi.com>

> Pretty quiet out there. Is everybody out kayaking or did all the important
> questions finally get answered? I'd like to know if there's any big kayakers
> out there who have a really good roll. I'm 46, 6' 265lbs and I'm wondering
> if it's really feasable to think I'm ever really going to be able to muscle
> my way upright.

I can't comment on the issue of size, except to say that I know a few big 
guys who can roll.  However, don't assume that you need to muscle your way
through it.  Rolling is almost effortless if done properly - it's all 
technique, not strength.

Last spring, in a rolling session at the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival,
there were some good examples of how muscle works against you.  At the end
of the session, we were challenged to roll with someone lying on our back
deck.  I had an easy time.  One guy who used strength to roll couldn't
do it - his strength was only good for one roll under ideal conditions,
since that's what he learned.  My technique adapts to the current conditions.


> While I think I do have a lot of upper body strength, I know
> I don't have much flexiblity for leaning back to lower my CG. 

There are rolls that do not require a layback.  One modification to the 
standard sweep roll works for a recovery in a seated position.  You start
the sweep as per a regular roll but as you reach 90 degrees or so, you
flip from a high-brace sweep to a low-brace forward sweep.  

As well. the C-C is a roll that doesn't use a layback.

Mike

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