: Looks great on the water. Whaddya mean last paddle of 2008...you still have 3
: more days to go and all that open water available. I am hoping that I can
: roll with the Night Heron S&G that I am building. I couldn't roll with my
: current kayak, I don't fit it tight enough and it has so much volume that
: I can get only 3/4 of the way around before I fall back under. I am hoping
: that the lower volume NH will allow me to learn to roll more easily. Once
: I get a technique down, then I will go back to the VJ and try her again
: (after a few tightening modifications). Enjoy the new paddle, eh!

: Robert N Pruden

Along with 3 more days I have a wife and 2 kids (=3 too) that want my attention as well durinbg the holidays. Starting work again on january 5.

About rolling the VJ, I dont know that kayak, but a bit on rolling:
I tried a lot to learn to roll by myself, with no luck. I then took a 3 hour class, and have been rolling since.
The 3/4 roll is very familiar, though I stopped training it recently. If I fail at 3/4 it is allways due to one (or both) of these two errors:

No (or bad) hip snap. Cure is to stretch the leg farthest away from your head and lifting the knee on the other leg.

Lifting my head before the kayak is over the "balance-point" where it lifts you out of the water.

When I fail my roll, I am now allways taking a break (upside down) for 5 seconds, and getting my focus back. Then I dont fail anymore, in calmer conditions that is (up to 4 foot waves)