Re: [Paddlewise] Elite racers

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Suspect that there are three components to being able to roll a tandem
boat - one being boat design, the second being the skill of the paddlers,
and the third being the efforts made at practicing a tandem roll.

While I can't speak knowledgeably on boat design for double sea kayaks,  I
can relate some first-hand experience from paddling a decked C-2 in
whitewater, which confirms the notion that individuals who have solid solo
rolls - and have practiced tandem rolls - are much more likely to be able to
roll a tandem boat in real conditions.

While my primary whitewater boat is a kayak, mostly because I can't sit for
any length of time on my ankles, the combination of having spent enough
pool time in a C-1/OC-1 to learn a solid single-blade roll, coupled with my
favorite kayaking partner being more comfortable in C-boats, found me both
in the pool and on the river in a whitewater slalom C-2.

As such, I believe that the key thing for tandem paddlers wanting to roll is
to:
a) know how to roll a solo boat - solidly and consistently
b) on flipping, wait long enough for your partner to (mostly) be set up for
the roll - which can be pre-arranged either by a countdown, tap(s) on the
boat with the paddle, or a physical nudge of the bow paddler by the stern
paddler.  In the C-boats, one of us always had to change paddle grips prior
to rolling, and I suspect that in tandem kayak it would also take some time
to have both paddlers get the paddlers into the set up positiong.
c) have the ability both to feel the partner initiate the roll, and to
follow as soon as the rolling motion is felt.

Play Hard,
Erik Sprenne

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Livingston" <bearboat2_at_comcast.net>

> However, sea kayaks rarely tip over unless the roll is deliberate. So
> the sea kayaker who tips over unexpectedly is facing a new experience
> (even if he is a good roller) which decreases the success rate.
>
> A double magnifies all these issues. Double REALLY rarely flip. Some
> coordination between paddlers is required. (Even if one is assigned
> the task of getting out)
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