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. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
K Stevens wrote: > This is so they can be better at bracing and strokes than learning > that it > is easier to fail and try again. > Interesting thought Kirby, but be the stroke in question a brace or a draw or whatever, the thing that keeps me from practicing it is the pumping after a wet exit. I don't mind being wet, or even climbing back in. But I HATE pumping. So I'm working on my roll so I can "try, try again." That said, my issue with rolling is brandishing the paddle properly. So I start a roll session with deeper and deeper sculling braces to teach the muscle memory how the paddle feels when it's working properly. Carey *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 22 Jul 2004 at 9:54, Carey Parks wrote: > Interesting thought Kirby, but be the stroke in question a brace or a > draw or whatever, the thing that keeps me from practicing it is the > pumping after a wet exit. I don't mind being wet, or even climbing > back in. But I HATE pumping. So I'm working on my roll so I can "try, > try again." I cheat - I installed an electric pump. That way I have the best of both worlds - I can roll and play to hearts content and then just switch on the pump. I've never rolled in need while touring and day paddling. I also rarely brace. Actually, I always brace - lots of little braces - hence I don't need to use big braces. When in big waves, my paddle is essentially always in the water. If I see a wave that looks threatening, I lean into it and brace while stroking so that I don't have any surprises. One new member of our club has gained fame by tipping over a lot. He never keeps his paddle in the water. I saw him go over once - big waves and he turned around to see the other paddlers while holding his paddle in his lap. When I turn around, my paddle is either in a low sculling position or is bridging my coaming with one blade slightly under water. People who roll a lot don't know how to brace. People who brace a lot don't know how to not brace. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Here are a couple things to do to practice a high sculling brace which in turn will give you a bomber high brace and help with the roll. As mentioned, the sweep roll is more-or-less a high brace that sculls a bit. Have a partner stand in shallow-ish (slightly lower than the chest) water. Start out by just moving your paddle back and forth along the surface of the water to get a feel for the correct position of the blade (ie not diving) and to get your arms in the correct position. Continue doing this until comfortable. Now lean into the sculling brace slightly. Remember to take slow strokes and pay attention to your head position. Scull a few times and hip-snap back up. Use that knee and your back muscles not your arms. Continue doing this while slowly going lower into the water. As you go lower, your partner can keep his/her hands underneath the paddle following its progress back and forth through the water. If your paddle starts to dive or you start to go over, they can stop the paddle from diving and give you a solid paddle hold for you to right yourself. Your partner can also keep an eye on your head and body position. Remember to keep your non- sculling arm nice and stable with your hand near your chest. When you feel comfortable going down on the scull, you can start practicing the roll. When you go over and set up for the roll, have your partner help to position the paddle on the waters surface and again provide backup should your paddle start to dive. If you miss the roll you can try again or use their shoulder or clasped hands to eskimo rescue upright. I use this method to teach sculling and rolling and it has been very succesful. In Europe I have seen this method used to teach the C-to-C roll and while it can be a little trickier with the sweep (due to the more continuous motion) it works fine as well. -Patrick On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 09:54:42 -0400, Carey Parks wrote > Interesting thought Kirby, but be the stroke in question a brace or > a draw or whatever, the thing that keeps me from practicing it is > the pumping after a wet exit. I don't mind being wet, or even > climbing back in. But I HATE pumping. So I'm working on my roll so I > can "try, try again." *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Quoting Patrick Maun <patrick_at_patrickmaun.com>: > Here are a couple things to do to practice a high sculling brace which in > turn will give you a bomber > high brace and help with the roll. As mentioned, the sweep roll is > more-or-less a high brace that > sculls a bit. <Big snip> I taught myself to roll with a Greenland paddle by practicing sculling, sweeping, and standard high braces until I could stick my head under water and brace back up. Once I could do that reliably (and, working at it incrementally, I never once had to do a wet exit), one day I capsized completely, set up for a sweep roll, and was up on my first attempt! I call it learning to roll from the top down. As an aside, that was also the day I kissed my wife for the first time -- in the parking lot at Lake Calhoun. Three months later we were married. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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