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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Being alone
Posted By: Ray In Response To: Re: More technique queries (Robert Woodard)
Date: Wednesday, 8 November 2000, at 10:09 a.m.
: One exercise I haven't seen mentioned is self rescue. While it is very
: difficult to teach yourself to roll on your own, you can teach yourself
: how to do a paddlefloat re-entry. However, it is not something you can
: just read about and think you know how to do - you need to practice it -
: find what does and doesn't work for you.I agree completely, I was going to post earlier but I wasn't sure of exactly what a good answer was to being uncomfortable alone, and learning to roll.
I think a successful roll is a normal progression from lots of practice in self rescue which is tiring, knuckle scraping and cold mostly but must be learned, and if you practice this as much as you should you will become motivated to roll, and being alone will not be a stopper for this. If you are comfortable dumping yourself out in deep water and self rescuing alone (and you should be after instruction and supervised practice although I learned alone..just got out in safe conditions and did it. ) rolling alone shouldn't be a problem. It just means another self rescue ( more good practice).
Here is my approach. I've taken a couple of rolling lessons, but mostly self ( solo) practice both with a foam paddle float ( 100% success rate) and then in 4 foot deep, sandy bottom push territory ( 50% success rate now). I'm using Hutchinson's rolling book as a reference, its very enjoyable reading in any case. I use noseplugs when I practice. Both my lessons and practice are in the same Great Lakes waters I paddle in. I'm using the extended Pawlata roll as my basic method for now.
Right now I'm concentrating on doing a very slow, gradual, controlled capsize using a sort of sculling brace to let myself over as slowly as I can. I make it a point to go slower each time. Then I just hanging around upside down, with my noseplugs on, concentrating on setting up just right, focusing on the paddle blade position and angle. I'm trying to build muscle memory and instinctive moves one at a time, and also develop a good sense of orientation while upside down. Then its sweep and snap, and maybe I come up, maybe I don't. But in any case, over I go again, very slowly of course and try to spot a fish or two before setting up again. I'll either become a good roller, or invent a new form of fishing.
Another excercise I do is with a paddlefloat on the paddle, I extend my paddle and lay the boat right over on its side, and focus on rotating my hips to recover. I should be able to just scull like the books show, but I'm not good enough yet. What I'm doing is exploring the stability limits of the boat, and teaching myself hip rotation. Its also a great way to cool off in hot weather.
For me this approach has created an inintended byproduct, ie. the paddlefloat reenter and roll as one very real, practiced and confident self rescue option. I always carry my noseplugs in my PFD pocket.
I'm also pretty comfortable knowing the stability limits of my kayak, and being in unusual positions. I treat it all as fun, and continue to explore my limits, and don't worry about whether I will ever become a roller. Its the journey I'm enjoying.
I always remind myself that the folks I usually paddle with are not as experienced as myself, so I can't rely on anyone but me.
Hope all this rambling helps and good luck!
Ray
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