I went thru it
Yup - I spent some major time in the situation you describe. Like well over a year. I just had to really gird myself up to flip the boat over, even though I was actually better than most at handling the change in orientation once I was down there. The first time I ever went over I knew exactly where I was w/r to the boat and got into perfect position paddles and all, with my eyes closed. And confused the poor instructor by immediately bailing! I paid for two course of classes and then went thru work with a friend in a pond before I did it enough that I could go in, flip against something solid a while and really stay in the boat.
The good news is that my “cycle time” - time before I am comfortable, kept going down to where it now is all of a few flips or two if I haven’t done it in a while. So I try and do it pretty regularly, just to keep my comfort fresh. And I have been able to “almost” roll a boat for about a year now. (I’m OK until I get a paddle in my hand then I try to use it to get up… but can come up on just about every time on anything else including PFD’s, swimming boards etc.)
By the way, for all of those who talk about it being a problem being underwater, it ISN’T. It was (these days) a problem with committing myself to being down there is a fixed position rather than swimming free.
But even idiots like me can get by it - you just have to accept it’ll take longer than for people who are never struck by the problem. Forget about them and keep plugging. The good news is that, by the time you are past it, you’ll have had tons of time to perfect an absolutely fantastic hip snap.
Celia
Sit on Top
I have almost met the angels or the devil twice from water situations. While I love being outdoors and on the water in the summer I cannot stand anthing over my head but the water! Think about a SOT no rolling!!!Still great fun! This is supposed to be fun, not torture! Modify the plan and tackle the problem ;o)
aqua-phobic (not)
People keep missing the point of the original poster even this far down the thread!
She's not afraid of water. She's not even afraid of being underwater. What she's afraid of is FLIPPING over as a first step of rescue and/or rolling PRATICE.
While it's more common for non-swimmer to be afraid of water or worse, being underwater. It's NOT HER problem. Lots of us don't like to be upside down, in water or in air! How many of you remember back in high school gym class that you have to roll over from the high bar? I think about 80% of the kids just froze! And we're talking about "fearless" kids!!! For all we know, she very well could also be afraid of HEIGHT, and terrified by the thought of FALLING OVER, even from a sitting position!
I can roll most of the time. Yet I still don't like the flipping over part. When I enter water, I prefer to go in feet first, not head first. Tipping the boat, unfortunately, puts my head below my feet.
Seems of the many suggestions, the one suggestion that she start by swimming next to the boat (re-entry roll) is the most to the point. Followed by the one of using diving mask etc.
me too
You paddle and think the same way I do about paddling. Too bad there are so many fear mongerers around.
Falling
The connection between the fear of capsizing and the fear of falling had never crossed my mind before. Good insight, abc.
Right on
OH HO… IN OUR CLASS, WE DID SAME, AND
then they turned the pool lights off (it was at night) and swiped our face masks, and turned out tanks off…
But it all comes down to -as noted first by Ice, and commented on by others -being “water comfortable”.
Altho’ the idea of rolling over on a perfectly fine sunny warm sparkling South Florida day on mostly calm water just on account of because sometimes DOES seem a little crazy.
But, you know what? Even in relatively benign conditions, spit happens. This is just a quick way to get it up again…
On the other hand, who knows WHAT you might end up eyeball-to-eyeball with as you -or as you, in THIS particular case, do NOT
Paddle “On”!
-Frank in Miami
another newbie
who browsed this thread out of curiousity.
While I’ve done a lot of tandem canoeing I’ve only recently gotten the kayaking bug.
I’m in that pre-new hobby stage where I’m reading up on a lot of stuff and trying to decide if I want to make the investment. Part of this included a beginner lesson that yes involved wet-exit/rescue practice almost first thing. Turned out to be surprisingly non-scary for me also. But I’m glad lesson one didn’t include the Eskimo roll.
My family and friends upon hearing about the possibility that I will be taking up kayaking immediately express concern… their first thoughts being whitewater kayaking (which I can definitively state is NOT in my future plans). I had convinced myself at one point that I would never need the Eskimo roll as a skill but the more time I’ve spent testing out my affinity for kayaking… the more I’ve come to realize I was wrong.
I recently borrowed a boat from someone and spent a few days day tripping around Blue Springs in Central Florida. The closest I came to flipping myself was in the run trying to dodge someone on an inflatable raft.
I think my initial reluctance to consider learning to roll is being overcome by the benefits. The more I play with various boats and become comfortable in the water the easier the thought of rolling gets for me.
I do know one thing for certain. I have no interest in learning to roll in a boat that isn’t mine. I’ve had fun in the boats I’ve borrowed or rented but they weren’t really set up for ME. At 4’11" I’ve yet to try a boat where I actually could reach the foot pegs.
But when (and it is when not if) I finally settle on the boat I want and after I’ve had a few easy trips to get the feel of it and get it adjusted for me… Well, one of the first things on my imaginary list is to find someone that will teach me how to roll it.
Maybe it’s the memory of seeing my very first kayaker waaaay back when I was on a camping trip with my parents in North Carolina. I couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8… had already been canoeing many times… and saw this THING coming down the river past our camping site. The guy was rolling it just for the hell of it and was having a blast.
Anyway… I’m enjoying the site and the board and hopefully I’ll be joining the ranks of boat owners sometime in the next few months.
By George, I think he’s got it!!!
Wow, abc, I never thought about it that way…I AM afraid of heights. It never occurred to me that there could be a connection, but it makes sense. I can swim, use a pfd, and paddle on lakes and slow rivers, to address some of the previous questions. I’ve been spending some time under water, and I’m convinced that fear of being underwater was never the issue. I am claustrophobic, so I bought a dive mask, and everyone was right…it helps to be able to see where the hell you are when you can’t breathe. Several of my paddling friends are instructors (who are patient and understanding while not demanding), so I feel very safe when I’m on the water with them.
You’re right…it’s the fear of falling. That sounds crazy since I’m only inches above the water to begin with.
Thanks for the “Aha!!!” moment, abc. I think I’ll start falling into the pool instead of walking in!!
Robin
Glad I can be of help.
BTW, don’t look down when getting ready to flip. Just look straight ahead and roll off. Once in the water, the “water babe” part of the brain takes over and everything is kosher (for me at least).
A Little Nudge Seems to Help
I found in class when I was put on the spot, I felt like I had to do it, so I did.
I remember one rolling clinic I went to last summer had only a few students, so the instructor didn’t have her usual side kick to do the demos. So when it came time to demo a bow rescue, the instructor said “Lou, you should be an old pro at this by now, over you go”.
And of course, there’s always that moment in class when I’m all setup for the roll and the instructor is just standing there (“anytime there Lou”) and I feel like, just push me over.
Lou
hypothermia will happen over time
in the warmest of water, gradually but will happen and much sooner than one would think. anything faster than a 1 knot current and you’re not going to be able to swim against it. first rule of survival on the water is : never leave the boat whenever possible.
every sport gets better and more fun
as you progress, rolling and exiting are steps in being a better paddler,expanding your limits. 2 weeks ago I thought white water paddlers were slightly crazy, now I can’t wait to go back after only those 2 weeks of practicing and kayaking down rocky water. craziness planned and practiced is a good thing.
Addictive, Ain’t It?
I guarantee it will help you improve with your sea kayaking too. 
sing
WELL NOW, WHICH WAY YOU HEADING
when they throw up a set of red flags with square black bull-eyes in’em…??? Out to the beach???
Man, it may be crazy, but what an absolute rush THAT oughta be as you
Paddle on!
-Frank in Miami
frank,sing, i’m getting too many
water toys, surfboards ,boogie boards which I;m taking ww next time ,powerboats,kayaks,canoes,only one though,I’m suprised I’m not permanantly water wrinkled!not to mention being under water all day at work!thank god I look good in neoprene