Re: [Paddlewise] Grace Under Pressure-and roll environment

Does this mean that it doesn't matter which side you brace when you roll in
a wave? My off side roll is so weak that it probably wouldn't work even if
there is a wave to help. Up to now if I find my self with my off side roll
facing into the wave (away from the shore) I usually wait until it has
passed and then roll up with my on side roll - I haven't been successful so
far using an on side roll when it is facing towards the shore while I'm
still in the wave.

   No, what it means is what I said, you need to brace down current, which in 
the case of surf means into the wave. It really doesn't take much to roll in 
the face of a wave. In fact there is a maneuver called "window shading" in 
which you capsize and extend your paddle into the face of the wave while upside 
down and underwater, and the upswelling water will lift your paddle and bring 
you back upright. While a fun surf trick, the first time most people experience 
this is completely by accident. They capsize up current in the face of a 
wave, and while they are still trying to figure out what happened, they 
accidentally roll back up! 
   But like you say, the easiest way for most people to roll back up in the 
surf zone is to wait for the wave to pass and then come up on whatever side is 
easiest for you to roll on. Trying to roll up current, towards the beach, 
while in a wave cannot be done. Or at least I am not aware of anyone who has ever 
managed to accomplish this.

Scott
So.Cal.

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