Barry wrote:
I'll take your advice, Dave. I can do a roll in calm waters but have a heck
of a time in rough conditions. A river kayak is so much easier to do a roll
with than my rather wide ocean kayak. However, I love paddling in the
ocean. There's a feeling of serenity and solitude that I find appealing at
this point in my life. I am also drawn to the strength and vitality of the
ocean. It appeals to me...but I have a healthy respect for its strength. I
live in a great area for ocean kayaking...at least in terms of the beauty of
the coastline. However, it's a treacherous coastline as well...one that has
taken the lives of a number of persons in more stable craft than an ocean
kayak.

Stability doesn't equal safety. In fact, narrower kayaks are better
suited to rough conditions than wide ones, in the hands of a skilled
paddler. They're also much easier to roll. That's one reason why high
performance sea kayaks are typically 22" wide or less. If your boat is
more than 23"-24" wide, it will definitely hamper your ability to edge,
lean and roll. Such boats fall more into the "recreational" class than
in the "sea kayak" class.

"Barry" wrote in
link.net:

....guess I should become more confident in my roll....not just for the
sake of keeping cool but for safety reasons...and I'd feel more secure
as well. Right now, I go out with a couple of guys that have more
experience than I do and they are helping me along. I suppose in the
mean time, I'll swelter in the sun while they enjoy a roll in the cool
water g.

If you're paddling with someone else you can use the bow of their boat to
tip over, put your body in the water, and hip snap back up. It's good
practice for your hip snap so will help with your roll too. You can also
use a paddle float. Just put it on, hold the paddle perpendicular to the
boat, and lean toward it until your body is in the water, then do a hip snap
to come back up.

I've got a paddle float (in fact, I have two now...one for rescue and one as
a support for my thighs while paddling. As to the "hip snap and coming back
up", I'm working on that g.

Barry


"John Fereira" wrote in message
.. .
"Barry" wrote in
link.net:

....guess I should become more confident in my roll....not just for the
sake of keeping cool but for safety reasons...and I'd feel more secure
as well. Right now, I go out with a couple of guys that have more
experience than I do and they are helping me along. I suppose in the
mean time, I'll swelter in the sun while they enjoy a roll in the cool
water g.

If you're paddling with someone else you can use the bow of their boat to
tip over, put your body in the water, and hip snap back up. It's good
practice for your hip snap so will help with your roll too. You can also
use a paddle float. Just put it on, hold the paddle perpendicular to the
boat, and lean toward it until your body is in the water, then do a hip
snap
to come back up.