Re: [Paddlewise] Rolling on "the other side."

Derek said: I've learned to roll in one direction.  My roll is
essentially a whitewater style C to C.  I've practised
the roll to the point that it is relatively instinctive.  My next step
is to move the roll to the other side.  Are there any good tricks or
tips for this?




I believe rolling is one of those things that is learned with individual
variations so it's hard to generalize the whole process.  In my case, I
was a whitewater paddler for many years, mostly slalom racing.  So it
was good to have a roll on both sides, just to be able to get back into
blue skies as quickly as possible.  My "onside" roll is on the right - a
C to C sort of thing.  On the left my roll is a total layback sweep
roll.  I never intended for it to be different, it just works that way. 
When I was learning to roll on the left it seemed as though I was
learning a totally new skill and not transfering one I already had.

Just to give a full explanation - my left leg has no working muscles, so
the difference may very well be because there is no assist by driving
the knee up at the end on that side.  

I doubt that any of this will help anyone learn to roll on the offside,
except to perhaps take away some of the frustration if you don't realize
that it may be like learning the roll anew.


Jim Tibensky
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