Re: [Paddlewise] rolling over

From: "Severn Clay" <severnclay_at_earthlink.net>

> How to apply this to kayak rolling?  I think that what finally worked for me
> was blindly following the physical directions that my instructor had taught
> me (this was a GP layback roll) and not trying to figure out how this would
> get me upright.  The body has too many unhelpful righting impulses that will
> generally send you to the bottom of the pool (because you're upside down,
> right?)

I can easily see how this would work.  This is what I try to instill in the 
paddlers I teach, though not the same words.  I try to convince them that
the physical model is dancing, not wrestling.  I want them to loosen up and
not think too much.  I want them to concentrate on the motion (how the body
moves) and not the action (how the kayak rights).

At the last two pool sessions, I worked with several men and two women.  The
women were the only ones to perform a roll.  The dance theme seems to appeal
to them.  When I tip them with my hands on the shaft near their hands, I
tell them to follow my motion.  Then they do the same motion independantly 
with my hand only on the paddle blade.  Withing a few attempts, they've rolled.

With the men, I end up in a wrestling match, fighting their tight muscles 
to attempt to get them to do what I want rather than what they think.  The
men often complain that they're not flexible enough - in fact they are 
tensing up their muscles.

Severn's comments are well taken - loosen up and go with the motion.

Mike

PS - Men seem to outnumber women when it comes to rolling.  In fact, I've become
convinced that women make better rollers.  No excuses now, ladies, get out there
and learn!

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