Thanks for the nudge
I do get the feeling that once one has learned and really engrained a roll, the next level of consistency is gained by rolling with eye’s closed. I only alluded in my OP to the benefit of not being distracted in murky water. But I have noticed also that with eyes closed I can concentrate better on the body mechanics and actually feel the role better. The eyes open is more because I enjoy the view.
Good point about depth perception. I think eye’s closed might be beneficial even if depth perception were perfect. Especially with motions that you perform out at or beyond your peripheral vision. Doing a little experiment now out of the water, performing the same motions with eyes open or closed, I think I can feel the motions better with eyes closed.
I’m definitely going to work more with eyes closed. I think it will help me out in the real water. Thanks again.
Paul S.
Water quality?
I’m not sure I’d want to open my eyes in some of the rivers around here. Have any of you contracted any eye infections?
Phreon
when I roll my eyes
I find it most effective to leave them open, in plain sight
been on Florida lakes and rivers
never had an eye infection. Here in columbia, SC, on Lake Murray and near Charleston on the Edisto River, no issues.
Paul
hehe
Bo, I’m rolling mine now. Perhaps you didn’t notice the comma in the subject line ;-).
Closed
Outside of learning with a mask (which I do recommend initially), for rolling while sea kayaking what do you really need to see? What are you looking for/looking at? I can feel what’s going on and “see” much, much better in my mind’s eye, than I can by searching for faint visual clues in turbid water with my eyes open. With practice your spatial orientation becomes so good that you will understand immediately how your kayak and body are oriented. But, if you are confused, I’d certainly say open your eyes to try again before bailing out.
If you do prefer to roll with eyes open, then I would recommend that you also practice with eyes closed, so that visual cues don’t become a crutch. There are many situations (including kayaking at night) where you simply aren’t going to see very much, even with eyes open.
I don’t play in very advanced whitewater (class 3 Nantahala-type stuff), but there I also keep my eyes closed and keep a good tuck.
In Greenland some kayakers believe that rolling in mid-Winter, even with eyes closed, is harmful to the eyes. I don’t know if this is true, but I do know it can sure be painful…
This is all just my personal opinion. Local hazards (rocks, etc) and knowledge trumps generalized rules. The only thing that matters is that your roll works when you need it, that it doesn’t cause injury/exhaustion, and is appropriate for the conditions at hand.
Greg Stamer