: Don,
: You may want to think twice about changing paddles just for rolling. If your
: current paddle is a Greenland style, then you will find out shortly that
: they are easier to roll with than most Euro paddles. The fact that you
: notice a difference between paddles for rolling tells me that you are
: over-relying on the paddle for support. Work to eliminate the dependence
: on the paddle during the roll and then which paddle you use or wether you
: even use a paddle to roll will become unimportant.
I'm sure it's true that I'm pulling downward more than sweeping. I'll work on that. I do scull a little at the end of the roll to finish it off, and the blade is deep, with the shaft at a 45-angle or steeper. I think the hipsnap is doing OK, I broke my foot brace again today. It cut the trip short. Time for a rebuild. Not to use baltic birch plywood, anyone. It isnt laminated with strong enough glue.
But, it seems to me (especially as the weather is getting colder) that if I can practice with the ability to roll up rather than bail out, the learning curve will be steeper. Modifying the old paddle to be unfeathered will imitate a greenland a little. (Dont blast me for the blasphemy 
) The wetsuit did OK today, I'll pick up a neoprene cold water hat and go to nose plugs instead of mask next weekend. I have a hunch that unless I invest in a drytop, the learning season is pretty much over. The water is still pretty warm, but it'll start cooling off quick here anytime. I'd have gotten cold today if I'd had to bail out. Also, the float I have doesnt work on that paddle, so I'd probably have had to swim ashore. I accounted for that in the choice of location.
: It sounds like you are pulling down on the paddle during your roll, don't!
: Near the end of your sweep, rotate the hips fully while keeping your arms
: rigid then you'll just use the paddle to assist the recovery. The
: Sweep/Screw roll is easier in this regard but the same is also true for a
: C to C roll. Good luck!
: BTW, what did your instructor say about how to learn to roll?
We didnt discuss how to learn. He said I have a very strong hipsnap, and was doing fine. He showed me the leaned-back "classic sweep" roll and I alternated between that and the C to C in the class. But I find that leaning back doesnt work as well in the Spring Run, it's rear deck and coaming are a little higher. I was doing C to C rolls today. Still strong on both sides, but the left is a little stronger. He did say that I am tending to finish the rolls with the opposite hand across the centerline of the boat, and I had trouble correcting that. Probably am still doing it. I noticed that they were teaching the other students by holding the paddle for them showing the sweep and assisting them up. Several of the others were hitting a few by the end of the class. They teach the C to C, not the extended paddle rolls.
