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So, I'm looking for some good advice on how to get out of a hole when stuck in a side surf. I know hanging out in the play park if the best thing (and I know I should go more), but the holes I play in at the park are NEVER as sticky as ones that I've been stuck in on the river. I've actually had very few hole rides but had 1 last year and 1 this year that did.
"The hand" got me last year, at low water. I felt like I could have managed that on it's own, but my paddle buddy came it for the rescue, to knock me out, and then I can't remember if I was upside down when she came in to knock me out, but I got all discombobulated and pulled my skirt like a tool without truly assessing the situation.
This year I got worked in a hole on Lawson at high water (after ledges...series of 3 large holes....I think I got caught in the second one?) I thought I remembered being able to boof it at high water last year, but I must have gotten a crappy boof stroke and got CREAMED in it this year. I was stuck in a left side brace so perpendicular to the water that my face and blade were on the same plane. I was able to get a few breaths before I went over. I remember wanting to try to dig my way out , but if I moved my blade even a smidge, I was going to lose my brace - which happened anyway. When I rolled up, I was stuck on my right brace , same situation. I'm right side dominant but still couldn't manage to do anything but hang on. I felt pretty cemented in the hole so when I went over again, I pulled.
What else should I have done? Some people talk about reaching deep with their paddle...I find this hard from an upside down position)...another person recently talked about sculling with their blade...I've tried this recently in flat water and can see the benefit here...but takes some getting used to...
I got stuck in a hole down on the numbers recently and was able to hang out, get a stoke or two, shift my body weight, roll, and eventually get out of the hole.
Like I already mentioned, I know the play park offers the best simulation....
Thanks,
Beth
"The hand" got me last year, at low water. I felt like I could have managed that on it's own, but my paddle buddy came it for the rescue, to knock me out, and then I can't remember if I was upside down when she came in to knock me out, but I got all discombobulated and pulled my skirt like a tool without truly assessing the situation.
This year I got worked in a hole on Lawson at high water (after ledges...series of 3 large holes....I think I got caught in the second one?) I thought I remembered being able to boof it at high water last year, but I must have gotten a crappy boof stroke and got CREAMED in it this year. I was stuck in a left side brace so perpendicular to the water that my face and blade were on the same plane. I was able to get a few breaths before I went over. I remember wanting to try to dig my way out , but if I moved my blade even a smidge, I was going to lose my brace - which happened anyway. When I rolled up, I was stuck on my right brace , same situation. I'm right side dominant but still couldn't manage to do anything but hang on. I felt pretty cemented in the hole so when I went over again, I pulled.
What else should I have done? Some people talk about reaching deep with their paddle...I find this hard from an upside down position)...another person recently talked about sculling with their blade...I've tried this recently in flat water and can see the benefit here...but takes some getting used to...
I got stuck in a hole down on the numbers recently and was able to hang out, get a stoke or two, shift my body weight, roll, and eventually get out of the hole.
Like I already mentioned, I know the play park offers the best simulation....
Thanks,
Beth