pool + instructions
Sinus discomfort: Goggle is good, especially if you wear contact lens like me. Nose clip a MUST! I don’t know how anyone can pratice lots of rolls WITHOUT nose clip. I got one right after my first roll class! Others had suggested using diving mask, which covers both eyes and nose. I think that’s a pretty good idea also. I use a swim cap to keep water out of my ears.
For the few rolls per outing kind of pratice, I don’t use any aid so it’s close to real environment when I might actually NEED the roll. But for intense roll practice session, I wear all those stuff so I don’t suffer the rest of the week.
Pool access: I know you live a little further away. But Steve at Riptides and Rapids teaches rolling in the pool in Muffet Field on most Thursday evening. The pool is also available for those of us who can already do it on our own to pratice in. The nice thing about it is there’ll always be others around to “spot” you. Some of them are pretty experience people who often offer helpful pointers as well.
I think there used to be an outfitter down at Santa Cruz that has similar arragement to make a pool available for both their roll class and others to pratice in. Though I forgot the name, nor do I know they still have the same arrangement. You may want to call around to check it out…
Clear is preferable even w/closed eyes
I close my eyes when I roll. The clear or translucent water is just better for checking out whether the area is deep enough, and to see any large rocks or other obstacles below.
You can practice rolling without setting up. It takes a few more seconds to come up than with a pre-dunk setup. You can also practice rolling from a moving capsize. I have practiced it from moving start without setup, and it’s definitely harder than with a static roll and planned setup.
I still need to do three or more rolls on one breath instead of gulping in another one before going down again. Have rolled up on a second attempt after the first one failed but more practice with multiple rolls on one breath will build more confidence.
sing,gotcha,that makes sense.
If your sinuses bother you you would be
better off with a mask instead of goggles and a clip. The mask really works well. Get a low volume mask if you can. I use goggles or a mask to prevent eye infection. I had some eye surgery 10 years ago and seem prone to conjuntivitis…
If you don’t…
…want to learn, and don’t take the time on the water, why do you always seem to find time to chime in on the rolling threads?
Methinks you do want to, eventually (no hurry), or you’d be to happy over in “swan boat” land to chime in.
You’re right that in our waters you don’t NEED to (I must admit I mostly “just paddle” too, bit this thread’s not about that - it’s for those who want to and/or already do), but don’t you also agree that paddle float recoveries are incredibly slow and inefficient? That a quick roll to cool off would be nice in 105 heat index?
It’s not just about rough water skills, or cold water skills, or learning new tricks to show off.
To me the biggest plus will be the added knowledge of how my boat behaves and how much more performance I can get when I can push it without a concern about a long ordeal to recover if I go over.
The way it was put to me, and what I find most apealing, is: Once you have a reliable roll, you’ll almost never “need” it. Good rollers don’t have tend to have many accidental/unintended capsizes even in conditions (WW/Surf being part of the action, not acccidental!).
Hey, Steve actually has my avocet
in his shop! He is adjusting the seat and taking off my foot pegs and putting in some foam in between where the bulkhead and pegs were.
There are some pool sessions available locally, but it has been tricky as I work some weekends and nights as nurse-midwife, so it just hasn’t worked with my schedule. I think I will take another session with Dave Johnston as his class is at the university pool, and they don’t use chlorine (oxygenation instead) However, when I get ready to practice I hope to take advantage of Steve’s pool sessions, even though it’s a drive because Thursdays work with my schedule. I joined WSK this last year. I will come prepared with goggles:)
abc are you a local? A WSK member? The Lake I was referring to is Del Valle.
One more thing to try-----
Get a copy of Kent Ford’s Video on rolling. It is fantastic. The method he teaches works easily in a touring boat.
I had taken three different rolling classes in a pool by two different instructors and still couldn’t roll.
Then Wayne Horodowich decided to get me rolling at a practice session our club was holding. I quickly learned to roll using the method from the video.
Unfortunately, I was unable to paddle for the next three weeks and quickly forgot everything Wayne taught me. Then I bought the video from him and after watching it 5 or 6 times, I went and practiced and my first attempts were 6 sucessful rolls for 6 trys.
My record is not that good at this point, but I still make about 75% of them on the first attempt now.
Kent Ford’s video works!
because…
Q700 looks better.
agreed on all points
I am in this thread to make a minor point: that for me and, perhaps others, playing with our kayaks in this manner can be fun, or not. But it is not a major safety issue. It is just one more aspect of the playful nature of this activity.
Approaching a roll may work better if this is always kept in the fore. You have mentioned the main reason I have a desire to learn a roll…to cool off in the water when it’s 105. Now if I could just find a pair of water proof ear buds that also served as ear plugs…
It’s a great video!
I have the dvd version and have learned a lot watching it. It’s the reason I think trying to learn to roll with a sequential step approach will work for me, rather than just trying to nail it in one fluid motion. The steps he takes make “body sense” to me.
Just cut the…
… techno-umbilical cord and friggin’ paddle! L
Do you really need some electronic device (music, cell phone, TV, whatever) 24/7?
Sure, music is entertaining, relaxing, sets a paddling pace, etc., but a few years ago I questioned my need to be to be entertained or engaged with something ALL the time. Going without has proven to be even more relaxing.
Sometimes, when paddling, even my incessant internal chatter shuts off. Ahhh!!!
But that’s another thread - and one that’s been posted several times…
“1st Roll” Video
is another good one. Takes you one step at a time - working backwards - then brings it all together. GP oriented, but not GP specific.
"are you a local? A WSK member?"
"local" as to South bay, but not in Santa Cruz. I do sometimes wish I live closer to the water. Yes, I'm a WSK member. Only join this year. Were you at the Angel Island picnic? There were some GREAT drama on the water after lunch (or should I say UNDER the water)! ;o)
Dizziness
I haven’t seen this mentioned in any rolling discussions. My husband and I took a pool rolling class and have practiced a few times since then, but we have to stop because we get dizzy and nauseated from all the spinning. I got the hip snap down pat and still have to work on getting the paddle at the proper angle, but I have to cut short my practice or I will lose my lunch. How do y’all cope with that, or is that not a problem with anyone else but us?
Spinning?
Are you doing multiples? Impressive!
More likely the dizzyness is from holding your breath, or simply from being upsidedown, or both. No?
Dizzyness
caused by rolling is normal for me.After I’ve done a bunch and then try to exit my kayak on the beach I stagger like a drunk.
Goes away in a couple of minutes though.
Probably caused by exciting the little float valve in your inner ear.
Oh black water,keep on rollin’
Eat less?
“I have to cut short my practice or I will lose my lunch”
Forget the lunch then! ;o)
Kidding aside, being upside down can do a number with whatever was in your stomach. So I would go light on lunch.
I found myself sometimes getting upset stomach from just paddling after a big meal! All that torso rotation, combined with an even slightly pitching deck, was enough to squeeze the lunch back out!
Vertigo
Some people are just more sensitive to loss of orientation than others. I know someone who says he did 3 rolls in a row quickly and he had to run to the bathroom from the pool…barely made it in time.
I get a little dizzy from doing 3 or 4 quickly but it goes away in a moment or so. Am guessing lots more would make me sick, too. But let’s face it: I couldn’t do more without having to pause briefly on top for another breath anyway. Then the dizziness would subside with the pause.
I wonder if your doctor could help with this.
Just a guess…
but would taking something like Dramamine help prevent that dizziness during rolling practice?
I don’t even have my own kayak yet much less a roll under my belt but I have to admit to a strange fascination with this thread and others on the topic.
Sounds like fun… and a real boost in confidence when you learn how to do it.
Hoo
Should, Ginger too.
In high doses anyway. Jamaican Ginger Beer, Ginger Altoids, tablets made to seasckness, Ginger Tea (so I’m told), etc. Mmmmm!
Better for queasy than dizzy, but dizzy often leads to queasy.
Strong peppermint for crampy insides and mild indigestion.