On Jan 10, 8:20*pm, mike wrote:
I just purchased a used 14' touring kayak. Being that I have never
kayaked before, am looking into verious technics I need to learn
before I venture out on the calmer water river systems in my area.

As soon as the weather turns warm, I will be heading out on the lake
with a co-worker to learn how to use my boat. My one big question is,
do I spend all sorts of time learning the verious rolls with my
touring kayak?
Or spend just enough time to know how to right the boat if I should
ever tip it over?

I do not suspect I will be out touring on big water any time soon, but
do want to run some of the calmer rivers in my area.

Are there any other technics I should be covering and practising when
I have an experienced trainer available?

Mike

I'm a WW kayaker, and an ACA instructor in WW kayaking since 1997, and
I've taught a LOT of beginners in both WW and touring/sea kayaking. I
teach one roll. I call it the "Up is good" roll.

Learn all the rolls you want. But see which one you use most often to
right yourself. That is YOUR "Up is good" roll.

PS: good luck learning it on your own! I've met a precious few who
have, but most people require instruction to achieve a roll, because
rolling a kayak requires some anti-instinctive and counter-intuitive
actions, like pulling your head DOWN (towards the water!) when you
think you might drown!

John Kuthe...