If the above post is directed at me; what makes you think that I don't have bracing skills? I said that I avoid situations where there is a strong possibility of being capsized; I didn't say that I wasn't able to handle it. As for someone sneaking up on me and trying to roll me--that has never happened and if it did, I would view that as an assault.

The equivalent to someone sneaking up would be a couple of seal pups clambering up on the aft deck. The video of it shows me bracing viciously but if I'd been asked about it at the time, quite possibly I'd not have noticed much, just instinctive bracing - that's how your bracing becomes if you paddle a very tippy kayak. And I agree with magooch to some extent, one doesn't have to paddle in extreme conditions to still have skills.

Alex

I would also view anything, or anyone trying to crawl onto one of my kayaks as an assault.

The fun of being in a little bay (Tonga Island, Abel Tasman National Park, NZ) full of seal pups (a dozen or so) is that they quite often clamber up on your deck. These ones are so used to kayakers they have no fear and frolic around, under and over kayaks.

Alex

Hope your not packing heat it could get messy! ;>)


I'd take a Mermaid on my deck!

",snapped paddles,stuck between rocks where there was no room to roll,plenty of reasons usually not mental issues,"

wavehog, you are clearly a much more advanced paddler than I am, and I appreciate your comment. However, all the examples you listed are reasons for which a roll is essentially not an option, rather than examples of failed rolls. The one exception would be failing to roll up in high wind, and this seems to be an example of what I was referring to. I think most experienced rollers understand that if the wind pushes you down on one side, you simply need to switch to the other side for an easy roll. So why doesn't that always happen? I suspect it's a mind game, not failure of technique. My point is addressed to those situations in which a roll technically is feasible, yet the paddler fails to execute one. Again, my argument is that the failure in those circumstances is far more likely to be cognitive/psychological rather than physical, and our roll training should take that into account.

Well I have had the "almost failed the roll" roll =)

If water gets into the kayak while upside down it can really throw off your balance.

This past weekend I did a upside down re-entry and roll in the pool. I got it, but almost rolled right back the way I came.

You're right there really is no such thing as a "bomb proof" roll. However it is essential if you don't want to swim to practice it and practice it even more.

What is the coldest water anyone has rolled in?

Dog, there is a cadre of very skilled rollers here in New Jersey, some of whom paddle regularly in Winter (I am not one of these people). This Winter they have been particularly active, both on the ocean and on our largest (and still mostly unfrozen) reservoir, rolling in water only a degree or two above freezing. Mind you, they come prepared to roll, planning to roll, expecting to roll; they are completely dressed for it with drysuits and thick insulating layers, gloves, neoprene helmets/hoods, etc., and are rolling by choice. But this can be a different story from being able to roll well, but being suddenly, unexpectedly capsized in icy water by some unplanned accident or incident.

I was reading when very cold water goes up your nasal cavity it can do some bad things. I'll have to check but some things were gasp and disorientation. I mean if I go out (not that I can roll) you won't have a nose plug on while paddling. It also said it can severely limit your attempts to roll when cold.

Now I have a dry suit I still have not gone out with all the ice on my walks and floaters. Next week I prepare for eye surgery with doctor appointments. Then good bye glasses after cataracts are gone. when paddling no more cleaning glasses! That will be great I can see where I am going in the Boston Whaler and she won't be telling me there's the buoy go right or left!

With no work for my commercial masonry business and no excess funds for the road race Corvette it will be a big paddling year ahead!

Can't wait to get my eyes done!

I took the infa-red gun to the water yesterday and it said 27* F I guess it could read that cold if it is reading surface temperature? May be the gun is off a few degrees? I guess it depends on salinity of the water.

You can keep the water out of your nose by blowing bubbles out of your nose. It eliminates the reliance of another piece of equipment. I can't remember then last time I didn't have at least a bit on awareness that I was losing the battle so that I could begin this. Now it's reflexive, like closing my eyes to keep the contact in place and fine sand or other debris out.

With some practice paddling your boat full of water will also become easier. This is a valuable skill, especially if you like to paddle in rock gardens or in the surge (I know I do). More often than not, rescues in this environment don't lend themselves to emptying out the boat immediately, you have to get out of the danger zone before completing that process.

I did that on my wet exits just blow a bit.

Bad mix, trying to teach your girlfriend how to roll. Have someone else teach her and then have fun and romance practicing together. Pretend that you're holding a sponge between your cheek and your shoulder. That brings the head up last.

The involuntary gasp reflex occurs when cold water makes sufficient contact with the sensitive surface of the skin.(eg. your torso). Wearing thermal protection (wetsuit, drysuit, drytop) during rolling practice will eliminate this as an issue.

Amen, Mark. I just posted about a ripped-off experience in the Scariest SK Experience thread. Oh, what a surprise it is!