Paddling fundamentals

 Rolling boats is a basic skill in recreational paddling and rolling SOTs is helpful when playing on the wave ski platforms.  I just want to be proficient in rolling bigger SOTs. It is way more difficult than rolling a SIK and I enjoy keeping the skills that have helped me enjoy/survive adventures.
 The roll concepts are also what make my brace successful, and in the SOT arena, it really is all about the brace. Without leg straps, we don't have that connection to the boat that allows us to impose our will on the kayak.. When I am strapped in, I am able to harness much more core power that is everything in paddling.
 From the safety angle, leg straps and skills help prevent boat separation and swimming sucks.  Most importantly leg straps make paddling more fun.
I appreciate your question Charles and I hope that you find some interest and give the straps a try.

Thanks for the suggestion Allen and your right. When my hip snap was too soft, I tried to dig my way out of it.

I haven't used a belt Sean, but I believe that my Cobra strike has a feature that might help.

Thanks for the response. I understand practicing the roll in a sot for recreational use, especially surf play but geared up while ocean fishing is it practical? I did learn to roll a sik but without continuous practice I think my skill level has atrophied considerably. Even with the best of bracing straps I think rolling some sots like a Hobie with rudder and fins out would be a pretty tough act.

I have considered the foot pockets too, but something in my head says that I can release a belt when i am upside down, and I'm not so sure i could kick out of the foot straps. I haven't tried either yet though so it is something to consider.

I'd like to highlight this example again.  At the kayak fishing festival, we had a paddling clinic held by one of the premier paddlers in the world.  I think only 2 people showed up for it.  I would think that most here SHOULD have showed up for it.  That tells you a little about the paddling mentality here at NCKA.

-Allen

I don't think rolling an s.o.t. is a skill that is of any use when kayak fishing. When you flip, right the boat and climb back in. That is a skill that is useful and worth practicing.

I don't think rolling an s.o.t. is a skill that is of any use when kayak fishing. When you flip, right the boat and climb back in. That is a skill that is useful and worth practicing.

And how many folks do you think actually practice that? In the mild surf zone or bumpy conditions with a buddy to simulate the kind of adverse conditions that create capsizing and make self rescue difficult? Theres a lot more to paddling fundamentals than rolling a sot as well.

 

I'd like to highlight this example again.  At the kayak fishing festival, we had a paddling clinic held by one of the premier paddlers in the world.  I think only 2 people showed up for it.  I would think that most here SHOULD have showed up for it.  That tells you a little about the paddling mentality here at NCKA.

-Allen

Thats really an unfortunate mentality.

I don't think rolling an s.o.t. is a skill that is of any use when kayak fishing. When you flip, right the boat and climb back in. That is a skill that is useful and worth practicing.

Sure.  But if you have the skill level to be able to roll a SOT, you likely wouldn't have flipped in the first place.  I'm not saying you'd never flip, but you know what they say about an ounce of prevention ...

-Alen

Maybe there are two perspectives here about paddling skills and the ability to roll a SOT. If one has paddle in hand, gear locked down, and braced to the kayak, then a successful roll is possible and useful. If kayak fishing with pole instead of paddle in hand and possibly not being strapped in by braces because you are fishing and a sudden OTW event occurs what are the chances of a successful roll? I think having decent re-entry skills in that situation is more useful. Balance is everything in a way and being braced to the yak would increase balance control. The boat and you become one in motion.

Maybe there are two perspectives here about paddling skills and the ability to roll a SOT. If one has paddle in hand, gear locked down, and braced to the kayak, then a successful roll is possible and useful. If kayak fishing with pole instead of paddle in hand and possibly not being strapped in by braces because you are fishing and a sudden OTW event occurs what are the chances of a successful roll? I think having decent re-entry skills in that situation is more useful. Balance is everything in a way and being braced to the yak would increase balance control. The boat and you become one in motion.

I think learning all the paddling and self rescue techniques are usefull.

IMO, righting and getting back into your boat is far and away the #1 most important skill to learn and practice. Bracing,balance and draw strokes will come with experience and time on the water.

Maybe there are two perspectives here about paddling skills and the ability to roll a SOT. If one has paddle in hand, gear locked down, and braced to the kayak, then a successful roll is possible and useful. If kayak fishing with pole instead of paddle in hand and possibly not being strapped in by braces because you are fishing and a sudden OTW event occurs what are the chances of a successful roll? I think having decent re-entry skills in that situation is more useful. Balance is everything in a way and being braced to the yak would increase balance control. The boat and you become one in motion.

I think learning all the paddling and self rescue techniques are usefull.

Exactly!  Learn ALL of them.  One is not necessarily more important than another.  Good paddling skills can significantly reduce the chance of dumping, but they will not eliminate them.

If I were to grade NCKA in paddling skills as a whole, I'd give us a D+/C-.  Seriously.  It never ceases to amaze me the stuff I see.  It is not unusual to see people with their paddles upside down.  It is more common than not for people to lean to the shore side of a breaking wave when coming through the surf, than lean into the wave.  I'd guess that 1/2 the people here use a very inefficient main stroke, wasting a lot of energy and not getting the most out of it.  The list goes on and on.

-Allen

Six pack of green label to anyone who can roll an X-Factor.     (seriously)

Great thread, Terry.  I'm in agreement that everyone in this sport should focus more on paddling skills and safety in general, and I agree with Jack that rolling an SOT doesn't need to be at the top of everyone's list of things to be able to do.

I think Charles is spot on - while we're fishing and have gear out we're very very unlikely to employ a roll.

IMO, righting and getting back into your boat is far and away the #1 most important skill to learn and practice. Bracing,balance and draw strokes will come with experience and time on the water.

Is it more important to learn how to apply a bandaid, or to learn how to NOT cut yourself in the first place.  Sure, you know how to do both.  But which do you spend more time practicing?

A roll is like a teenage mutant ninja turtles bandaid.  You sure don't need them, but they sure are cool! 

-Allen

Six pack of green label to anyone who can roll an X-Factor.     (seriously)

Great thread, Terry.  I'm in agreement that everyone in this sport should focus more on paddling skills and safety in general, and I agree with Jack that rolling an SOT doesn't need to be at the top of everyone's list of things to be able to do.

I think Charles is spot on - while we're fishing and have gear out we're very very unlikely to employ a roll.

Rolling an xfactor is hard enough to do right side up. 

Ive never rolled a sot, and do think it would be superfluous to kayak fishing. However the fundamentals of a roll all stem from the paddling fundamentals

.

Maybe there are two perspectives here about paddling skills and the ability to roll a SOT. If one has paddle in hand, gear locked down, and braced to the kayak, then a successful roll is possible and useful. If kayak fishing with pole instead of paddle in hand and possibly not being strapped in by braces because you are fishing and a sudden OTW event occurs what are the chances of a successful roll? I think having decent re-entry skills in that situation is more useful. Balance is everything in a way and being braced to the yak would increase balance control. The boat and you become one in motion.

I think learning all the paddling and self rescue techniques are usefull.

Exactly!  Learn ALL of them.  One is not necessarily more important than another.  Good paddling skills can significantly reduce the chance of dumping, but they will not eliminate them.

If I were to grade NCKA in paddling skills as a whole, I'd give us a D+/C-.  Seriously.  It never ceases to amaze me the stuff I see.  It is not unusual to see people with their paddles upside down.  It is more common than not for people to lean to the shore side of a breaking wave when coming through the surf, than lean into the wave.  I'd guess that 1/2 the people here use a very inefficient main stroke, wasting a lot of energy and not getting the most out of it.  The list goes on and on.

-Allen

When I learned WW in a 2/week 8 week course, we didnt even discuss the roll till week 3. Modified sweep, high and low brace, using the core and lats rather than arms were much more important.

I know there are some ACA certified folks on here that should chime in.

IMO, righting and getting back into your boat is far and away the #1 most important skill to learn and practice. Bracing,balance and draw strokes will come with experience and time on the water.

Is it more important to learn how to apply a bandaid, or to learn how to NOT cut yourself in the first place.  Sure, you know how to do both.  But which do you spend more time practicing?

A roll is like a teenage mutant ninja turtles bandaid.  You sure don't need them, but they sure are cool! 

-Allen

I feel like every time i get in my boat,I am practicing not getting cut. However, I am only practicing band-aid application when I stop and pull out the first-aid kit and actually take the time to practice or when i get cut.