[Paddlewise] skillful bracing

Ken Rasmussen
kayakfit_at_fidalgo.net
www.kayakfit.com

    I don't know the name of the "legendary" paddler in question, but the
context was that he was the best of a group running the Grand Canyon.  The
woman I was talking to seemed in awe of him, and she claims to be very
skillful.  However I don't know if she is skillful or not.  On the couple of
occasions I've been out with her she hasn't shown much--even refusing to take
the "Ear in the Water Test" I use to qualify people on trips where rough water
is a possibility.
    As regards your submissions, we all seem to be in fairly close accord,
though a couple of you seem to have confused the ability to roll with the
necessity for rolling.  For most of us, getting knocked over is an infrequent
occurance, and in that sense, we don't roll.  But many of us who don't get
knocked over can roll if we wish.  I thought that the comment about some
paddlers being skillfull enough to not require a brace or roll was probably
the answer to the question.  The "legendary" paddler was probably of that
sort--very skillful, but probably not able to do deep braces or rolls.  I
really find it difficult to believe that someone could consistently do deep
braces, but remain genuinely unable to roll.
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