RE: [Paddlewise] Rolling Notes [Long]

Tom Joyce wrote:
<Snip>>>>>7.. The biggest lesson I drew is that the paddle float is a
mistake for a
light child.  The big Euro paddle provided everything she needed. <<<<Snip>

It wouldn't have been a problem if you had the child "wind up" for the roll
by starting in the finishing position and moving to the starting position.
This means one capsizes on the same side they roll back up on and the paddle
float stays on the surface and doesn't have to get under the capsized kayak
to get to the correct side for rolling. For a paddle float you want a flat
surface such as with a foam plank. It is much easier to sweep than a round
inflatable paddle float when learning to roll. More information on using a
float and several other rolling tips can be found in the "Rescues" pages of
our website. For those of you who want to learn to roll but can't get to a
good instructor using a flat paddlefloat and the "wind up" technique is by
far the best method I know. most folks who try on their own just teach
themselves bad habits that a good teacher must break later to get them
rolling. It is hard to pick up bad habits with the "wind up" method using a
flat paddlefloat with at least 1/4 cubic foot of buoyancy. it kind of forces
you to make the right motions to move the paddle at all. You can also work
through the motions in slow motion and feel what is easiest to do each step
of the way in rolling up when you have a lot of support at the end of the
paddle. By winding up you learn most of the roll before you even get your
head underwater.

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com
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