Can anyone help?

[adkSara]

Can anyone help?
by Hayden
I've just learnt to role mu S:7, but the problem I have is when I come up my paddle is burried very deep (vertically) in the water, is this right?

If it's not then how do I correct it?

Thanks in advanced!

Hayden


Posted on Nov 21, 2002, 3:54 AM

Rolling Rolling
by DaveM
It has been my experience that what you are describing happens when someone does one or a combination of the following:
1. Too much pressure on the paddle for your roll.
2. Not stretching for the surface at the start of your roll and therefore never getting properly set up.

Here are a couple of things to try in the pool this winter.

1. Start over again. Leave your paddle on the side of the pool and get your body motion/hip snap back. Roll using your hands. Flip over, come around and grab a partners hands who is standing on your roll side. Note how much pressure you are putting on his/her hands. You want to get to the point that you are putting almost NO pressure on his/her hands.

You can accomplish this with the following.

1. Stretch to the surface at the start of your roll. You should feel yourself really stretch out. Not with your arms, but with your torso (think wrap around the boat)

2. Once your in this position, your ready to hip snap, snap your hips making sure you don't come into the boat too soon. A lot of folks think hip snap translates into doing a sit up in the boat. The snap isn't a sit up as much as it is a "C" to "C" action. Once you have completed the final "C" then bring your torso back across the boat. Think roll the boat and then get back into the boat.

3. Try this excercise w/o the paddle for quite some time...maybe two pool sessions and then reach for your paddle.

4. Maybe before you pick up the paddle, try using a kickboard, they can be helpfull stretching out those stubborn torso muscles.

Good luck and let us know how things progress....DM



Posted on Nov 21, 2002, 5:38 AM

Yep, what Dave said (more)
by KNeal
Dave does a great job teaching canoe rolling and knows a few rolls that would really impress you. I really like the concept about rolling your boat and getting back into it. What I try to do is get my blade to the surface of the water and use as little pressure on it as I can, then FORCIBLY twist and pull the boat under me and finish with keeping my body low to the boat as I get back over it. If you are a righty paddler, try to think of pulling the boat into your right armpit. The opposite is true if you are a lefty.

Congratulations on getting the roll! As you keep getting better at it, you will find different ways of executing the same technique. As a matter of fact, now that it is coming up on pool rolling season, have someone time you on how fast you can roll the boat 5 times (that is, you flip and roll the boat sequentially without stopping). That is another Dave M. method.

KNeal


Posted on Nov 21, 2002, 6:56 PM

Cheers!
by Hayden
Thanks very much for the tips! It looks like I've just got to practice, practice, practice!

I'll post a message soon to tell you how I'm doing, or if I have any other problems!!!

This forum has proved to be a real help in my quest to try the 'C-Boat thing'!! What with tips on rolling and outfitting ideas, what more could a newy ask for!?

Cheers

Hayden


Posted on Nov 22, 2002, 1:01 AM

One more thing to try.
by Chris
One thing that might'n help you out some is to think about transitioning your lowbrace into a kind of backsweep. To explain: I start my roll like pretty much everybody by sweeping to the surface, flipping my body and paddle over so the blade is on the non-powerface on the surface. One thing I always do is leave my head on my fist (I paddle lefty, so that's my shaft hand, or my left fist), that helps keep my head in the water till the boat is upright. Here's where the backsweep trick come in. As you're almost completely upright, turn the blade a matter of a few degrees (that's roughly three degrees if you're not from the South) so the non-power face is facing your bow. Keep your head on your fist and rotate your torso toward toeard your bow. The blade will then wing to the surface if it has dived, and add a little bit of power. It also adds stability and make your roll look prettier. Like Dave said, keep your head down and don't put too much pressure on that blade. This is a trick to help make your roll a little smoother and more polished. Welcome, buddy.


Posted on Dec 2, 2002, 9:16 PM