Subject: Re: [baidarka] rolling baidarka
From: Douglas Huft (douglashuft@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue Jul 30 2002 - 00:32:37 EDT
Yes it is definitely possible to roll a baidarka. My 19" beam baidarka with
its high deck is also "difficult to roll" compared to a river boat. a few
things I found helpful are to
-learn a "c to c" roll but with a sweeping stroke since you cant lay back
(tuck forward instead)
-use an extended paddle position
-its easier to roll with a traditional paddle rather than a "Euro" or wing
paddle.
-practice with a paddle float(modern day replacement for a seal bladder) on
the end of your paddle
-I also found that with a good hipsnap and noodley body and floppy head I
would roll right back up and back over again if I was not careful. A
slightly less violent roll and a slower more relaxed roll with an extended
paddle ending in a sculling stroke seems to work better for me.
-if you dont want to haul your baidarka to a commercial rolling class an
alternative is to pay (with beer) a trusted friend to coach you assuming you
know someone who is able and willing and you dont pay them till you are off
the water or not.
-once you figure it out make sure to start and end each paddle session with
a roll. before a trip it will bolster your confidence and also help to
encourage you to remember to dress for immersion. At the end of a paddle it
is quite refreshing (and if you are not successful) it can serve to remind
you that either your tecnique is getting sloppy with fatigue or you are
paddling beyond your conditioning level and putting yourself in possible
peril due to fatigue and its effect on your ability to roll/self rescue.
-most important keep trying and dont give up. a solid roll will definitely
increase your comfort level in this sort of boat.
Douglas Huft
Shields, Dyson Double, "play baidarka"
- in the works; short(7') flat bottomed planing hull, hard edged, squirty
S.O.F. surf kayak in the works, you might call it a retrieval kayak .
-
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