Sunday, January 31, 2010

ROCK & ROLL ON!!!!!!



I GOT IT, FINALLY.

Last night at the pool, got my OFFSIDE ROLL!!! Whahoo.

Thanks to Brian Duffett for great coaching. I'm on one big high. And, I still have all my teeth!

12 comments:

Virginia Heffernan said...

Alison - this is all vert exciting for a Sunday night, but can you explain what it MEANS?

Virginia Heffernan said...

Alison - this is all very exciting for a Sunday night, but can you explain what that MEANs?

Virginia Heffernan said...

Alison - this is all very exciting for a Sunday night, but can you explain what it MEANS?

Alison Dyer said...

Yeah babe. Okay, so our bodies are asymmetrical, right? (one foot bigger than the other, we favour writing with one hand over the over, etc.). And so, in kayaking, we learn to roll on one side (unless you're a whitewater kayaker - ok, those guys are naturally ambidexterous!). But most of us have one side we can roll on. Some learn to roll on both sides. I have a preferred side, my "chocolate side" according to one British instructor. But being able to roll up on either side is always preferable. So... I learned how to do it on the other side. It was, like, Alice-in-Wonderland-ish. Couldn't figure out up-from-down - like learning all over again. So... make any sense???

Cate Hawthorne said...

Congratulations - the offside roll is a worthy accomplishment. Keep practicing it and it may become better than your onside.

http://www.womanonwater.blogspot.com

Virginia Heffernan said...

Yes, now I understand: like trying to do the J-stroke on the other side of the canoe, but even more difficult than that. Congratulations!

Alison Dyer said...

Hey Virginia, Cate,
Will keep practising for sure. Because, as we all know, you can lose it as soon as you get it! But Cate yes, interesting. I think my technique on 'offside' my be superior to my 'chocolate' side. Humm!

clairesgarden said...

well done, another reason for doing it is so you don't wear out one shoulder before the other.... its best to wear them both out at the same time!!

Alison Dyer said...

bless you Claire. My thoughts too! Particularly after reading Douglas' blog (about wearing out his knees mountain climbing).

But beware! A few of us are conspiring to paddle in your neck of the woods in 2011. More to come! (but let me know your favourite places in the interim).
A

clairesgarden said...

Arran, Bute, lots of the Clyde leading up to Glasgow has great places to paddle, Oban, Skye, Mull, Loch Sunart, the West coast of Scotland has loads of fabulous beautiful wild places to go. I'm not paddling any more but I could come and meet you, wave you off!!!

clairesgarden said...

p.s. can put you in touch with folks who are paddling and know where to go.

Alison Dyer said...

Claire - you are on. I will expect to meet you. Why aren't you paddling anymore (wore out both shoulders? - god forbid!) Skye has been mentioned by one of our troupe... looking at Douglas' blog, it'll be hard to choose. Stay tuned!