Roll, Roll, Roll Your Boat
The pool session went well yesterday. I did my usual thing, but I realized the greatest pleasure from helping others. One paddler, who has been in kayaks a little over a year, was there with his wife. They each have a reliable half-c-c-half-sweep-roll, and I am proud to have helped them get to where they are. Yesterday, he asked if he could use my Greenland stick. Of course he can.
I sat in my boat (we were in water too deep to stand) and explained what he needed to do to execute a sweep. He did it 98% through, then went back down when he tried to sit up too soon. We talked about getting onto the back deck and how to go into a low brace when finally sitting up. Bang, he hit it...and again and again. Then, I set him up for an angel roll, drew a word picture of what he would do and watched as he gave it a try. Again, 98%, but he came up with the sweep roll. Again, we talked about getting onto the back deck and then applying a little pressure on the paddle when sitting up. Bang, he hit it, and again and again.
About this time, the wife (who had, apparently, been paying close attention) took the boat and the stick and performed a nice sweep roll on her first try. I told them that it was time for me to leave the county since my work here was done.
I don't know what it is about rolling and why we get such pleasure from it. I don't know why, now that some of my rolls are "bomb proof" I continue to do them over and over. On the other hand, I don't need to know why. Just being able to roll, in my judgment, gives one confidence in their boat, relaxes them and, in the end, makes it less likely they will need to roll.
Paddle safe...
DS
I sat in my boat (we were in water too deep to stand) and explained what he needed to do to execute a sweep. He did it 98% through, then went back down when he tried to sit up too soon. We talked about getting onto the back deck and how to go into a low brace when finally sitting up. Bang, he hit it...and again and again. Then, I set him up for an angel roll, drew a word picture of what he would do and watched as he gave it a try. Again, 98%, but he came up with the sweep roll. Again, we talked about getting onto the back deck and then applying a little pressure on the paddle when sitting up. Bang, he hit it, and again and again.
About this time, the wife (who had, apparently, been paying close attention) took the boat and the stick and performed a nice sweep roll on her first try. I told them that it was time for me to leave the county since my work here was done.
I don't know what it is about rolling and why we get such pleasure from it. I don't know why, now that some of my rolls are "bomb proof" I continue to do them over and over. On the other hand, I don't need to know why. Just being able to roll, in my judgment, gives one confidence in their boat, relaxes them and, in the end, makes it less likely they will need to roll.
Paddle safe...
DS
9 comments:
How is your shoulder this morning?
And, the eye?
Shoulder feels same, thanks. The eye isn't going to change until something is done...if something can be done. We shall see...or maybe not.
Well said on the rolling psychology. Because we have a bombproof roll, it seems as though we are comfortable in dicey conditions and don't have to use it. The zen of being upside down I guess.
I agree with you on the rolling lessons, its great to help someone get their first roll.The only way to get bombproof is to keep on rolling in all conditions and then roll some more. Look after your eye.
Good on you Silbs. There is little to match the feeling of a roll. Well I guess there is lots but what a since of accomplishment for both the coach and the student. I like it too because I don't know of many other boaters (other than Kayakers)who can roll their craft up when it is over or perhaps when in peril (most hopefully when in peril), other than those sailing skiffs ya yank out of the water when capsized. Perhaps too those self righting safety boats on see going vessels but they usually right themselves. I also believe that when you know how to roll your bracing starts to improve. Nice post.
Thanks, Stan. Excellent point about how bracing improves as one rolls more. It does become second nature after a while.
Nice , warm fuzzy feeling helping someone reach the relaxed state of mind and body to properly exacute a controled roll.
Having taught Martial Arts on land , you now teach Tai Chi in the water.
Rolling, done without frenzy centers and relaxes.
Good post
I also find that warm fuzzy feeling when someone "Gets it"
Best Wishes
Roy
Bravo, Silbs.
When I help someone "get their roll", I don't know who is more exited, them or me! Its just plain fun.
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