Re: [Paddlewise] Elite racers

In a message dated 10/10/2007 5:16:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com writes:

Just  wondering. I can see how rolling would be an entry level skill for  WW
paddling, but how long does it take a new WW kayaker to acquire it? Many  of
us sea kayakers who at least try to learn to roll take quite a while  to
master it if ever and in the meantime, we can enjoy paddling at a  lesser
level. I wonder if that means only the people for whom rolling  comes
naturally ever get into WW kayaking. I realize my size has some  effect on my
rolling ability and so would probably discourage me from  trying the WW side.
I know when I used to ski, I was very good at going  straight downhill; not
so good at the side to side  part!



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Oh, Oh, I can answer this! I just swam Granite rapid on the Colorado of the  
Grand Canyon. It wasn't fun. In fact, it sucked. But then again, when you step 
 up to the plate prepare to get struck out. My rolls whiffed that time. They 
were  much better elsewhere in the trip. In whitewater, rolling is a fact of 
life and  the preparation for it starts very early on. I'm not little, nor are 
my rolls  like Greg Stamer's, but they usually work just fine and I paddle 
alot of fun and  bouncy places. I would heartily encourage you to try whitewater 
and surfing in a  whitewater or surf boat. From all the posts I've read of 
yours, you seem to have  the kind of personality that would thrive there.
 
Cheers,
 
Rob G



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