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wrote:
Here in Newfoundland Canada most hard core paddlers can roll a boat but
most paddlers are not hard core. I would guess that only 10% of sea
kayakers here have a roll; any roll!!!.

I would say we (TSKC) have better than 10% "any roll", and most of those
that don't have it are working on it. I don't know how many could roll
a sea boat "in anger" as it's very unusual IME for them to go over. I
suspect that the numbers that could do it "in anger" are well down on
those that can do it in a pool or training situation.

We see a bomb proof roll as 10 or 12 consecutive rolls with no
failures. I see it as a surprise upset in frigid water and in an
exceptional case done with the spare paddle.

Surf landings increase one's chances of going over quite a bit. Someone
once suggested that the club should stay away from surf as it increased
chances of problems, but it was pointed out that a sea layak club that
avoids all surf is like a mountain bike club that avoids hills, and if
you don't practice in the easier stuff you're almost certain to be
trashed in harder stuff /when you don't have any choice/.

I have never gone over by accident and been preset for a roll.

It depends how one defines "by accident". In surf it's quite possible
to be trying to stay up but knowing that in the next couple of moments
your stern rudder is no longer going to be enough on that particular
wave. In such a situation you can at least choose to jump before you're
pushed and try and set up at least to some extent.

When I'm practising I start with set up palawtas, then move on to set up
screws. And then move on to very deliberately not set up palwatas and
screws (though of course I still know I'm going over... the one time I
fell out of a sea boat (excepting comedy entrance/exit fiascos) was a
completely crap unintentional capsize while I was scratching my nose and
watching a rescue practise while in a tippier-than-I-usually-paddle
unladen borrowed boat. Got a mouthfull of brackish water to choke on,
failed a first bad attempt and being 5m from shore bailed). In the pool
I always wear a nose clip because the chemicals /hurt/ my sinuses. In
the river I wear clips to keep infections at bay, and wear them while
I'm surfing anyway so it's not unrelaistic to have them on. Also in
surf it's not entirely uncommon for them to come off, so I've done quite
a few rolls without them.

One of the main things about a good roll is the increase in overall
confidence if you start paddling into a tricky situation. Knowing that
you're very unlikely to be swimming, even if you go over, helps one deal
with the situation more optimally than if you're tense because you're
bloody terrified.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/