[Paddlewise] Day #69, Redemption?

8/17/08

I donned my wetsuit top to join Duane's rolling practice at Newport this
morning. Paddling to our rolling area in that straight jacket didn't help my
mood any! I didn't have high expectations after my rolling practice last
Tuesday, but I was sure my roll wouldn't get any better sitting at home!

The group let me join them a bit late despite the fact I'd missed the ever
important safety talk before the launch. I'm sure it had something to do
with the human body's preference not to breathe sea water. Duane, Bob, Barb,
Ken, Henry and Kathy were already rolling when I showed up at the cove.
Well, Barb was just there as an observer, as she was battling a cough and
already has this rolling thing down to a science!

Not wanting to swim right a way, I settled for working on bracing and
sculling strokes with my GP, while everyone else was busy with the real
deal. Duane was demoing and giving advice on some of the trickier rolls he
does. Bob and Duane, of course made it all look easy, but everyone acquitted
themselves well. I finally took the plunge and rolled up alright, but it
would take a few more tries to regain my confidence. I miss my Onno, which
has always been pretty good to me roll wise, but I was having some luck with
the GP today.

I was doing just fine for a while, until Henry decided to give me some
advice!!! I had meant to state right up front that I didn't want any advice
on the day, as it usually ends up crowding my overloaded brain. So I took my
first swim, but actually later, I tried something Henry told me to do and it
actually seemed to help my roll a bit, so I forgive his earlier faux pas!
Several folk were trying the Butterfly Roll, but I'm not sure how many found
success, but trying new stuff was the order of the day.

I was trying some Cowboy Reentries and Henry asked if I'd like to try his
boat, a Tempest 165 Roto. I was surprised I could get in, although the hip
pads kept me from getting all the way back in the seat. The front deck was a
bit low for me, but I liked being able to lean back for rolling. Henry
didn't seem interested in trying my boat, but Bob did, so Bob took out my
QCC while Henry tried out his rolling machine. I don't think Henry lasted
long in Bob's boat, but Bob was putting mine through his rolling routines.
He didn't have too much trouble, although he did end up taking a swim and
got to find out how fun it is to try to climb back into a high volume kayak.
Of course, Duane decided to take up the challenge and give my boat a try
too. He looked like he was paddling a battleship, but was able to do some
nice rolls as well. He soon tired of my boat and as I got back in, I heard
words like "tippy" and "bathtub" bandied about and a few other choice
comments under someone's breath that I was unable to ascertain!

With that everyone had enough rolling and we head out to reassemble at Java
City. My bad mood had disappeared with my rolling success, although I admit
I stayed the whole morning with my Greenland Cheater Stick! It was a fun
morning on and in the water and we never left the harbor. I sure on his way
home Duane was hoping secretly someone would buy him a QCC for his birthday!

Mark Sanders

www.sandmarks.net

#
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