RE: [Paddlewise] Real life rolling

From: James <jimtibensky_at_fastmail.fm>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 11:43:55 -0700
On Tue, 18 May 2004 13:23:50 -0700, "Mitchell McKinnon"
<coyote_at_pacifier.com> said: 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.


For what it is worth, I agree.  Thousands of whitewater paddlers have
very good rolls, there is no reason thousands of sea kayakers can't as
well.  No reason beyond the silly idea that self-rescue is somehow more
reliable, safer and all that.  Yes, self-rescues are one bunch of arrows
to have in the safety quiver, but a reliable roll is better than all the
rest put together.  

I miss a whitewater roll once a decade, I've never missed a sea kayak
roll.  Yeah, yeah, I'll miss one next time because I said this in
writing, but I'll just make a second attempt, come up, and not have to
swim.  I know because I practice my roll a lot, I paddle whitewater and
because my balance is good enough that I don't tip much.  All it takes is
practice.  Thirty-eight years worth in my case, but most people can learn
faster than that.

Maybe not everyone will take their paddling skills to the level of having
a good roll, but that's no reason to pretend that rollling is not the
best recovery skill there is.  Especially when newcomers are listening.

In my opinion.

Jim Tibensky
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Received on Wed May 19 2004 - 11:47:14 PDT

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