Gotta Roll

Excuse me while I brag a bit, but I got my roll last night. No, not kaiser. Nor jelly. But I got my extended paddle roll in my sea kayak last night. If you're fuzzy on the concept, check out these videos.

It's been years in the making. I made progress last year with a lower volume kayak. Then came a class in traditional paddle techniques. By the end of the summer, I got a few.

Last night, I practiced with some help from Bob Myron at the Bath YMCA. I was able to hit it consistently. And ugly. But I got my kayak upright without bailing or help.

I have some practice ahead to make it stronger, consistent and graceful. That's the key: practice. I need the repetition to create muscle memory. During this process, a few things helped:

1) Not listening to people describe a roll. It's a contrary, upside down concept. I have heard people describe them and make no sense. It doesn't make sense until you try. Until then, it doesn't make sense.

2) Video helps. There are instructional videos that help you visualize what needs to happen.

3) One thing at a time. This is more for instructors. There's a lot to master. So overcoming one bad habit at a time is about all you can handle. If you're helping someone, offer one bit of feedback and help them with it. Once that problem is out of the way, find the next one.

4) Repetition and repetition. Keep going through the motions. Even if you're using help. That repetition trains your body on how a successful roll feels. When Elaine was learning, I grabbed her paddle and moved it in its proper path. Eventually I let go of the paddle, and she got the roll without knowing it.

5) Solo practice. If you're on your own, use your paddle float to practice your hip snap. Pay attention to how much pressure you put on the float. But it helps you concentrate on getting that hip action right. To help me sweep my paddle, I attached the float to it. It helped me reinforce the sweep.