immersion time to seconds instead of min- utes. It also reduces what gets immersed by about fifty percent, keeping the lower body relatively dry. Seconds after the capsize, you are upright in an active position to continue paddling,not wallowing around surrounded by gear, wrestling a beach ball float onto your paddle to perform a manoeuvre creat- ed by Spiderman and made famous by some bearded old windbag in a Tilley hat.
A
friend of mine has been known to refer to a day out in flat, calm, sunny condi-
tions as,“the sort of paddling that gives sea kayaking a bad name.”What she’s on about is the joy of paddling in wind and waves, catching surf rides and, yes, occasionally even getting knocked over. For too many otherwise capable paddlers, it is the fear of capsizing that limits them to flat, boring conditions. Just one good surf ride will hook many paddlers and launch them on a quest to build the skills needed to play in the surf zone or enjoy following seas and big swells. If that’s not enough, knowing that you won’t have to exit your boat unex- pectedly means that you can paddle nude. Despite what a few anointed gurus might wish you to believe there is no hocus pocus, magic beans or philosopher’s stone required to learn to roll a kayak. If you are relatively fit and have the desire, chances are you are a roller waiting to happen. Give it a bash. Be good to yourself, get qualified instruction and be patient with your progress. Even if you decide that rolling isn’t for you,you’ll have learned more about your sport and become more comfortable upside down in your
boat.The ability to roll will change the whole way you paddle and give you the confidence to play in your boat like never before.
And if you happen to do a roll in front of
one of your buddies who’s in a kayak for the first time, and he or she asks, “are these
boats self-righting?” Nod vigorously and say yes.
—Alex Matthews
A Work of Art... made for Life! Your Life... Your Time... Your Kayak.
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authorized dealer... today.
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www.cdkayak.com ADVENTUREkayakmag.com 9
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