Show us where you paddled today thread:

[Cataboo]

Re rolling, just had to report:

I've managed a fairly consistent roll - indoors in a heated pool, in a junior kayak, wearing a swimsuit, diving mask and nose clip... - but outdoors I've concentrated on getting good at a wet exit self-rescue, since I paddle a lot alone. Felt I had a pretty good handle on it, until the other day when a friend and were going to practice. Took my dh's kayak thinking I should practice with that one too since it has a very small cockpit, freaked out a little at the thought of a wet exit, failed at an assisted roll (where you grab the other persons kayak to flip up again), did a wet exit and came up with my head completely stuffed with water and uncontrollably gasping for breath... dammit At the same time my friend who had just bought her first kayak almost completed a roll But then she's an old river kayaker.

Not sure what went wrong. I can't always practice with a mask and nose clip, because I'm not gonna be paddling with them on. And why on earth do I have this urge to inhale under water!

Argh. Back to practicing a whole lot more.

the gasping for breath might be a reaction to the cold water - cold water gasp reflex.

Since you paddle alone most - Practice reentering & rolling - with a paddle float at first, and then without. That's a lot easier than a paddle float reentry or a cowboy.

[lph]

the gasping for breath might be a reaction to the cold water - cold water gasp reflex.

Since you paddle alone most - Practice reentering & rolling - with a paddle float at first, and then without. That's a lot easier than a paddle float reentry or a cowboy.

Will do! I haven't tried rolling with a paddle float yet.

Funny thing about the gasping is that I've spent plenty of time under water in temps just like these, and a lot colder, practicing in spring. I think I may have held my breath or forgotten to take an extra breath before going round, and hanging upside down waiting for her to bump into my kayak I suddenly ran out of air fast. Which is useful to have experienced of course anyway, because there's no certainty I'd have time for an extra breath if I were thrown around by a wave for real.

[Cataboo]

Yeah, but you generally know you're in a wave and potentially going over and probably are prepared to grab an extra breath... I will say that a few times this summer, I've been reaching to do the next stroke and all the sudden I'm upside down doing the next stroke... But my current kayaks are a lot more "lively" in waves than the one I used to use... It shoots off down one or something and I haven't caught up with what's going on.

I usually take a breath when I fail a roll, go under, get reset up, try the roll again... repeat. repeat.

But I spent most of last summer upside down, till I got to the point that I was comfortable upside down. Not freaking out because you're upside down helps a lot. I know a lot of people who have beautiful rolls, but will freak and wet exit when they accidently end up upside down. I also practiced flipping over, waiting however long, and then rolling back up, since it's easier to do it in all one motion and let your momentum help you carry back up.

[sadieme]

WooHoo!!! A paddling thread!! Who knew??

I just moved back to the midwest after living out west where there were lots of wonderful places to paddle. I havent been out since I got back though. Not sure where there is to paddle here other then muddy lakes. But I couldnt give up the 'yaks,' so they moved with me.

Anyway.. just excited to see this here!

Sorry to interrupt... carry on.