Re: [Paddlewise] skillful bracing

K. Rasmussen wrote:

>Subject:  Skillful bracing
>Ken Rasmussen
>kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net
>www.kayakfit.com
>
>    I found myself in a dispute recently with a woman who insists that the
>best whitewater paddler she ever knew could not roll. I suppose there might be occasional instances in whichsomeone has learned to brace from a knockdown without knowing rolling, but these must be rare.  What are your observations?
>  
>

I paddle with a handful of very, very skilled hardcore WW guys and gals 
every Wednesday.    They paddle maneuver, brace, scull,  layback and 
snap their way back to a stable position.  They all can roll well but 
rarely end up that far over.  They essentially dont roll. It could 
easily give the illusion of not having a roll.  As far as teaching 
bracing or rolling first I cant say.  It would almost depend on the 
student. Some students do better rolling first and others would be 
better off being taught a good low brace and then a roll.  In my club an 
OK low brace is a very rare skill indeed.  Setting up a slalom course 
for our last safety clinic was a great success in teaching people boat 
handling which would appear to be a good step in teaching the importance 
of bracing.  I am digressing a little bit but getting the point across 
that bracing is important seems elusive in my circle of paddling partners.

Jim et al
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