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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Uneducated!
Posted By: BERT In Response To: Re: Uneducated! (mike M)
Date: Monday, 20 November 2000, at 7:54 a.m.
: OK guys, let me tell you how it is. I have been following this forum for a
: while, just for fun. Am a semi-retired,fairly large 55 year old guy, with
: an 18 ft Kevlar sea kayak. I live in S. Florida, kayak twice weekly,
: everywhere!: I realized a long time ago that I would never learn to roll,and even if I
: could roll I could never depend upon it so I have never even thought of
: practicing this technique.: So, what do I do? (Note: I usually go out solo). Although I normally stay
: away from rough seas, and try to stay no more than two miles from land, I
: always bring sponsons with me, lashed to the deck, and a dual chamber
: paddle float. This will get me back in the boat. I also carry a strobe
: light, cell phone, spare paddle, a very loud whistle, etc.: Yes, I know that hypothermia is not an issue in S. FLA, but I still need to
: feel safe and secure: Mike
Mike I am disturbed when a person decides something as important and fun as rolling is not possible anymore because your in your fifth decade of life.I,m fifty-three and took up kayaking less than 2 years ago after many years of canoeing.I took a pool course last winter and learned a lot,enough that I can roll my 22 inch sea kayak with about a 90% success rate in non combat conditions.Rolling is all technique and timing,not brute strength and stamina.
It,s easy but elusive.I found the whole concept to be intriging.I have a long way to go yet but have recieved much personal satisfaction with my progress so far.One thing I did was make a greenland paddle,partly because I was curious about them and also because I was convinced of their superiority in regards to rolling,sculling and bracing.
I have many friends I paddle with who have no intention of ever learning these skills and I think thats fine too but they realize that they are restricted to calm rivers and sheltered bays.Myself I like to push the envelope a bit and challenge the elements,I,m never going to be a Tsunami Ranger but I.m going to learn to roll just because I,m a kayaker.
Blue skies and soft landings.
Bert

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