If
the kayak fits, Roll it! by
Jay Babina
Every year at pool sessions the same problems occur with paddlers who are
relatively new at kayaking and arrive to learn how to roll. I personally find
this quest commendable and never lost my close association with the struggles
and strains of going through that process. I’m sympathetic and aware
of the Catch 22 pattern of kayak buying that has made this illusive technique
out of reach for the one group that desires it the most - the beginning paddler.
New paddlers buy kayaks that feel comfortable to them -
not just in the seat but mostly in the larger initial stability that the wider/larger
boat offers. The manufacturers of these kayaks unfortunately also assume that
everyone who desires this greater initial stability weighs 400 lbs. or more.
Not only are they wider, but they have enough volume to carry the kitchen
sink. The other assumption by manufacturers is “there’s no way
these people need to roll - we’ll put in a little foam for their thighs
and that will keep them quiet! Besides, this way it will fit more paddlers;
we sell more kayaks and we make more money”. End of discussion. The
same manufacturers will put out white water kayaks with great thigh bracing
because they know that a roll is mandatory in that sport and... the white
water paddlers demand it or won’t buy the kayak. White water kayaks
are designed by white water paddlers whereas sea kayaks are sometimes designed
by naval architects who have never done a roll or attempted one.
This half hearted attempt that some sea kayak manufacturers
make with their products is truthfully based on the fact that the greater
population of paddlers will go along just fine with what they have ... and
possibly so. However, when learning to roll, you really have to be locked
in with a very positive grip or you just won’t ever be able to roll
- period! Once you gain skills - like in a few years of practicing an exkimo
roll, you may be be able to roll any kayak, but you won’t do it with
the grace and effortless motion like you do in your own custom tailored kayak.
Some people luck out and buy a low volume boat and it fits
them like a glove, but this is not the norm. Or... you’re a big person
and you fit in your big boat nicely. Most people however, have to add foam
or bracing to be able to truly master the roll.
Most of the paddlers I know who have good skills have all
padded out their boats. It’s unfortunate that people arrive at the pool
sessions in kayaks that seem to fit well while paddling but when push comes
to shove and they’re upside down, there’s not enough grip to twist
the kayak up without their thighs slipping out of position. I think this is
the number one reason for sloppy or failing technique especially when I notice
they have the paddle movement fairly well.
I’m very obsessive about this because I remember what
a difference it made for me when I was slipping out of position in my Hydra
Sea Runner. The technique is difficult enough without having to swing two
bats during the learning process. Once I finally glued in a couple of blocks
of foam to prevent my thighs from slipping out, my weak, inefficient roll
became reliably weak and inefficient. Hey... at least I was coming up every
once in a while.
I used to practice in secrecy because of embarrassment.
One time I was hanging upside down at lake Quanipaug trying to figure things
out and when I rolled up a man was standing there in thigh deep water in his
street clothes who ran in to rescue me. From then on, I use to find secret
sandy spots where I could practice in peace and push off the bottom if I had
to.
I think when paddlers arrive at the pool and see others
hand rolling or doing fancy rolls etc. there ‘s an untold story of the
years of practice and sometimes obsession that these paddlers put in to get
there. There’s also the untold story of the various kayaks they purchased
and outfitted to finally come up with a kayak that fits them like a glove.
Rolling is truly one of those techniques that’s easy
to learn but a long road to refine because it’s a marriage of physical
technique and the kayak itself.
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