Gcosloy Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Ok, not exactly a trip report but so what. Here goes! My first roll can only be compared to the first time I had sex. In both cases it was wonderful, in both cases I didn't exactly know what I was doing, in both cases I was sure I wanted to do it again. A little bit of history. I'm 67 years old/young. I started paddling four seasons ago and have been trying to learn to roll for three seasons. I've had lessons with no success and read just about every thing on the subject. I've fantasized about rolling, thought up incredible methods to help learn but never had any luck until today. First it was the non existent hip snap, then it was not keeping your head down and finally I couldn't stop my paddle from diving almost immediately after starting the sweep. Today I did it and just like that first sexual experience, didn't really know what I did other than I liked it and did it six more times. Once I forgot to clip my nose and got water up my sinuses which was enough to cause me to blow the roll. Walter Mears said to me last week "Analytic people will never roll." He may be right, after four years attempting to think a roll and failure, I can do it now, just please don't ask me how. Gene Chatham 16/17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcasey Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Congratulations!!! Please tell me how!!! I've been trying for SIX years, and still can't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gcosloy Posted June 27, 2006 Author Share Posted June 27, 2006 Hi Jeff. I think the point of the message is that I can't tell you how. I'm a very analytic person trained in the sciences and think everything through carefully before acting. My lessons were a disaster because I wouldn't just listen to the instructor and follow directions, I had to understand it first. That was obviously a mistake. It was like trying to ride a bike for the first time by first trying to understand the physics involved. When I rolled the first time my paddling buddy said "that wasn't a roll you probably pushed off the bottom with the paddle". (We were in relatively shallow water in Walden Pond). So I moved into deeper water and repeated the roll. Still not satisfied I had to move to even deeper water to remove all doubts. What troubled Leon was that he didn't see my paddle on the surface during the sweep. It was obviously not the classic sweep that most instructors teach. Who cares, it worked for me and seemed as easy as pie. No strong arming it, no violent hip snapping. Obviously if the paddle is at a good angle, a sweep under the surface which climbs can generate a considerable amount of lift nonetheless. My advise in retrospect is to get a good instructor and follow directions. In my case I was successful only because it worked, not because it was correct form. Good luck Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsprag1 Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Congratulations----now remember to practice it frequently---you will be suprised how quikly your muscles and reflexes can forget---as far as it being as good as sex---well people like us, over 50, might have that opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillian Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Gene, Congratulations!!!!!!!! I'm still working on it but having trouble relaxing during the sweep (talking about rolling here) But you've inspired to keep trying!!! (both) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eneumeier Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 >My advise in retrospect is to get a good instructor and >follow directions. In my case I was successful only because >it worked, not because it was correct form. Good luck Like pitching advice from Crash Davis ("Don't think, just throw - thinking can only hurt the team.") Don't think, just roll. The first roll is a thrill! Liz N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Glad to see you have experienced your first of many rolls. Looking forward to paddling with you some more. Keep developing that "Just do it.", attitude. It will take you places you have never been before. Enjoy. Walter Impex Assateague Emerld Green/White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnHuth Posted June 28, 2006 Share Posted June 28, 2006 Congratulations!! There is this very frustrating "just about there...but only if...." time (usually coinciding with the advice about lifting the head too early). (I also like the Crash Davis' line "Don't think, it can only hurt the team" - this is my mantra). John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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