Re: [Paddlewise] Your rolling stories

Hi Mark,

Success story - I think it was the 2nd time I had ever had my storm paddle in the water.  We were finishing up a trip and I decided to try a few strokes with the storm.  I was trying to do a sweep and really got the angle wrong and pulled myself right over.  I had never tried to roll with the storm but luckily I stayed composed enough to try and much to my surprise managed to roll right back up. 

Failure story - I was wind-wave surfing out in the bay in a borrowed kayak.  I held onto a down wave rudder too long and the kayak slipped down the wave and tripped over the paddle.  That was the quickest (without warning) capsize I ever experienced.  With help nearby and not being too sure about wet exit in a strange kayak I bailed without even trying to roll.  

One of the rolling instructors I had in an advanced rolling class said that once you get fairly confident in your roll you should never practice by setting up.  I do not strictly follow that advice, but I do try to do some practice rolls without setting up.  I like to set up on the opposite side from the roll I plan to do and then capsize.  Interesting to have to sit up, rotate paddle across to other side and then set up from upside down.  Another one I like is putting the paddle behind your cockpit and holding it with both hands as you capsize. Have to let go with one hand and maneuver the paddle around with just one hand before setting up. This works good with an unfeather paddle where you can put both blades edge-on to the water.  Might get undo stress on shoulders if blade hits the water flat and causes your arm to lift up behind you. I did this once, but just let go with that hand so had no problem.  Laying back as flat as you can on the rear deck before capsizing is go!
 od practice as it is easy to get "pinned" back like that if you capsize in surf.

Another very practical drill the instructor suggested was stowing your paddle just as you would while resting or getting a drink (including having the bottle in your hand) and then capsizing.  Some of the students decided to change the way they stored the paddle while resting because they had so much trouble getting the paddle loose or had it swing out of reach when they capsized.  Of course there is the throw away the paddle, capsize, and use the spare (or half spare) to roll up.  I think that is an important skill to have available at least until you have a bombproof hand roll. 

Mark (the other Mark) Arnold

   

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mark Sanders <sandmarks_at_ca.rr.com>
>
>Despite my success at rolling practice lately, I'm aware that rolling in
>real life is another matter. I'm sure upon my next unexpected capsize, I'll
>try to fall back on the steps I use in practice: #1. put on goggles and nose
>plugs--oops, those probably aren't going to be very helpful!
>
>Problem is, I don't capsize unless I'm playing in the surf and
>unfortunately, most of my kayaking doesn't include surf play.
>
>I was wondering, with the list being so quiet, maybe some one out there
>would like to share their tales of unexplained capsizes and rolling
>success!?!
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