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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: A matter of opinion - lay back or to the side?
Posted By: Nick Schade In Response To: Re: A matter of opinion - lay back or to the side? (Roger)
Date: Friday, 8 September 2000, at 9:22 a.m.
The different techniques in Grace Under Pressure and Rolling with Maligiaq reflect two different philosophies of rolling based on different needs. G.U.P. is about whitewater rolling where the need is to get up quick to avoid getting your head bashed on rocks or going over a waterfall upside down. This needs a quick roll which also doesn't expose your face to forcible cosmetic surgery. After a roll the whitewater paddler needs to be in a position to immediately start paddling and maneuvering.
Greenlanders did not have quite as imperative a need for speed. They needed to get up fairly quickly because the water was cold, but a couple more seconds in the water were not a big deal. They also used a paddle which provides better support while sweeping than in a straight down push. They also had more reason to be conservative with their energy as they may still need to kill a seal and paddle home after they roll up.
To say one rolling style is better than the other would kind of miss the point. Is a whitewater creek boat better or worse than a sea kayak. It depends on what you want to do. There is a place for both styles of rolling and getting good at both techniques will only make a person a better roller.
: IMHO, 'Grace Under Pressure' is pretty good, BUT you guys just GOT to see
: 'Rolling with Maligiaq' to get the whole picture. Here's a guy who treats
: a roll just like a morning stretch just after turning off the alarm clock.
: The roll is sssslllooooowwwwwwwww - no hip "snap" with its
: implied (and real) overstressing of muscles and paddles, just a
: deliciously approachable-by-everyone sinuous movement that reduces his
: roll axis moment of inertia allowing a gentle sculling force to pick his
: head back up over the boat. Stop getting macho over a roll, you don't need
: strength to get it done. You do need coordination and timing, and with
: those even a skinny (2.75 inch wide) Greenland paddle will get you back
: up.: Have fun. --roger
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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.
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