[Paddlewise] Big Rolls

I'm not certain if there are special techniques required for teaching the 
roll to larger paddlers.

However, I have read the posts and have a comment regarding use of hips 
and the term "hip snap."  Personally, when I teach the roll I don't use 
the term or mention righting of a capsized kayak with use of the hip.  I 
do use the term "rolling knee" and "rolling thigh."  

I've discussed this among fellow instructors I teach with and they agree; 
concentration of the righting motion should be on the rolling knee.  I 
feel lower body practice for the roll ought to be focused on the 
student's rolling knee and be done on the side of a pool, bow of another 
kayak or using the hands of the instructor who should be standing in 
shallow water.

The Kent Ford video is a great starting point and teaching aid.  I've 
viewed it many times and the term Hip Snap is not mentioned.

The technique and use of the knee in the video has been pivotal in my 
learning eleven different rolls (both sides), sculling up (both sides) 
and extreme high brace recovery with body in water (both sides).

One last remark.  The three biggest setbacks in achievement of a solid 
roll are: 1) Not sweeping beyond 90 degrees before torso rotation - 
resulting in pulling on the paddle  and 2) Not having rotated the boat 90 
degrees on its roll axis by the time torso sweep is converted to torso  
rotation and 3) Gripping the paddle tightly while having more or less 
then zero pitch angle of the paddle blade to the water.

Good paddling and successful rolling,

Ed DeBee
http://users3.ev1.net/~edebee/
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