RE: [Paddlewise] Real life rolling

That kind of thinking is just crazy!  A roll is the best self rescue
technique one can employ.  It's faster than a reentry, keeps you dryer and
warmer, conserves energy, and is a hell of a lot more fun.  As for "real
life" applications, I use my roll mostly when playing in surf (if you're in
it long enough, and it's big enough, and you're exploring the boundaries of
your skills, sooner or later you'll catch an edge).  I've also used my roll
while playing in high velocity eddies doing turnouts, exploring up-current
edged turns.  

Rolling is actually easy once you understand and develop good mechanics.
It's only difficult if you do it incorrectly (proper outfitting really
helps, but with good technique you can roll just about anything). It is,
after all, a matter of mechanics, not physical force.  As for loaded boats,
I've always found loaded boats actually easier to roll (as long as you don't
have too much crap on the deck) than an empty boat, as the roll axis is
lower in the water.  A loaded boat will roll slower, so the mechanics are
executed slower.  But once you get the thing spinning, the inertia kicks in.

Yes, keep practicing reentries, but a solid roll will make sure you're the
one assisting, not the one being assisted.  It's a priceless investment.

It's a feedback loop: The better you brace, the better you roll.  The better
you roll, the better you brace.  The better you brace, the less you'll need
to roll.

Mitch
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> From: je
> Subject: [Paddlewise] Real life rolling
> 
> 
> I've been reading too many forums and archives on the Net and 
> have read 
> several people dismissing the roll as a real life self recovery 
> technique.
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