Reality Check

I thought it time to see what I could do on 'the list'. I have enjoyed learning each roll for its own sake, but thought maybe it was time for an audit and a think about progression rather than random selection of the next roll to try. The butterfly roll doesn't figure on the list, neither does the front to back norsaq or hand roll (too easy?) so I'll work on the official forms of norsaq and hand roll next along with the elbow roll. I think they will be different in the Tahe Greenland, maybe a bit tricky until I sort out the masik and outfitting around the cockpit and at the bulkhead for my feet.

roll	developing	consolidating	Secure  L	Secure R
Side sculling                                     Innaqatsineq			X	X
Chest sculling                                         Palluussineq			X	X
Standard Roll Kinnguffik paarlallugu nerfallaallugu			X	X
Elbow crook roll                            Pakassummillugu			X	X
Storm roll Siukkut pallortillugu masikkut			X	X
Reverse sweep roll Kingumut naatillugu			X	X
Spine roll Aariammillugu	X
Behind the back roll Kingup apummaatigut	x
Neck roll Siukkut tunusummillugu	X
Reverse neck roll Kingukkut tunusummillugu	X
Shotgun roll Paatip kallua tuermillugu illuinnarmik			X	X
Vertical sculling roll Qiperuussineq paatit ammorluinnaq			X	X
Front deck sculling roll Masikkut aalatsineq		X
Back deck sculling roll Isserfikkut aalatsineq		X
Cross arm roll Tallit paarlatsillugit paateqarluni masikkut			X	X
Hull sculling roll Qaannap ataatigut ipilaarlugu	X
Speed storm rolls Pallortillugu assakaaneq			X	X
Speed standard rolls Nerfallarlugu assakaaneq			X	X
Hunting float roll Avataq isserfiup taggaanut
Throwing Stick roll forward-forward Norsamik masikkut
Throwing stick roll back – forward Norsamik kingukkut
Throwing stick roll layback Norsamik nerfallaallugu	X
Hand roll forward – forward Assammik masikkut
Hand roll back -  forward Assammik kingukkut
Hand roll layback Assammik nerfallaallugu	X
Fist roll forward – forward Assak peqillugu masikkut
Fist roll back – forward Assak peqillugu kingukkut
Fist roll layback Assak peqillugu nerfallaallugu	X
Brick roll forward – forward Ujaqqamik tigumisserluni masikkut
Brick roll back – forward Ujaqqamik tigumisserluni kingukkut
Brick roll layback Ujaqqamik tigumisserluni nerfallaallugu
Elbow roll Ikusaannarmik pukusuk patillugu	X
Straight jacket roll Tallit paarlatsillugit timaannarmik
Paddling upside down Pusilluni paarneq
Walrus pull Nusutsinneq

The problem is that there are so many, if you want to work on a new roll there is not enough pool time to run through them all, making it likely that some will become less than secure in the interval.

Some of them I just haven't tried. I thought the cross arm roll would be tough but actually it was fine.

Elusive Elbow Roll

Encouraged by success with the cross arm roll I thought I'd try the elbow roll. I can brace easily in the elbow roll position but can't get back on the deck. So when I tried it 'on the move' I was hopeful of a bit of help from the momentum of the body movement. I managed a few,  maybe one out of every ten, only on one side, but its a start. It looks better on the video than it felt!

Dreaming about rolling.

At one end of the pool Donna and Jack were building up a solid foundation to rolling, thinking carefully about body and head movement, keeping it slow. Upside down and the wrong way round had proved challenging the week before, but Donna had done her homework - she had been dreaming about rolling, and it had worked!

building muscle memory

Meanwhile at the other end of the pool Northern Kayaker tested rolling in her new helmet and... it worked with and without a paddle! Her shiny surf  boat in Orkney flag colours is just dazzling! Next week it is going up to Shetland in its stripy sock, hopeful of another northern adventure.

shiny smiley Northern Kayaker

Have fun!

Follow NK's Shetland adventure at Paddling Orkney and Beyond.

A break in the weather

Ready for off at Inganess

After what has been weeks of driving rain and storm force winds a break in the weather meant an opportunity to get out for a relaxing paddle. It was also a great chance for beginners and 'returners' to get out of the pool and paddle in agreeable conditions on the sea. Thirteen paddlers in all met at Inganess in the morning and we set off on a gentle paddle towards Yinstay.

...and away we go!

It was very pleasant to have everyone together for a 'social' paddle - an opportunity to put names to faces and catch up with paddling buddies.

Peedie caves at Yinstay

Stacks were just big enough to squeeze a boat round.

 

Taking a break and discussing each others' Christmas  paddles  presents.

 After a poke about the caves it was time for a break - good practice at landing and launching.

Heading back...

on a glassy sea.

At the wreck.

Finishing in sunshine.

Its good to get out!

(back indoors tonight).