Mike, even with a raft you are going to get flipped and swim. You should read up on how to get out of holes and such. Yep, you will get raked across some rocks from time to time but learn how to swim around them - at least the ones you can see ahead of time. Proper swim technique will help. I learned from watching an old Kent Ford video... Whitewater Self Defense and it still applies today.

 

You don't sound upset with your abilities, so if it's fun, why stop?
Once you get a roll (which can take a while, so don't be discouraged), your ability to push the envelope of your ability/comfort goes way up.

 

get some nose plugs
find a safe playspot
spend the day getting trashed (in the hole)
you'll learn quick about your abilities and whether it is fun for you or not

 

Just Baby Steps!!

STICK IT OUT!!! It's all baby steps!! The roll and brace will come after your sick of swimming!! Ha Haa!! You will love it, it's definitely worth it. Try and get a buddy to get into it with you, it helps. Just keep paddling, swimming is a part of it no matter how good you get!

See if anyone is hosting a newbie program in your area. Here in Denver we have "NOP"(Newbie Outreach Program) Monday's & Wednesday's every week. We have some experienced paddlers show up to collect gear and help the newbs on rolls, bracing, paddle strokes, peel-outs, etc. We do it all in a safe class III pool drop environment (urban ditch paddling). It helps get the newbs out on the moving water quicker. It defineitely helped me!!

Good Luck & Have Fun!!

Cheers

-Nick

 

So what's "not perfecting a high wind jibe"? Assuming you sailed in the gorge, you likely did a lot of jibing in big swells? Where did you sail, and in what wind? I'm just trying to find out if you're talking your water issue down, or not. If you've sailed a 3.0 at Rufus, go get kayaking! If you've never sailed less than a 4.0 at the Event Site, get a big raft and enjoy the barg-iness. Even with your less than "perfect" water experience, it sounds like you've got a lot and so must have a fair level of comfort. If you kayak, you'll be pretty safe with a helmet (maybe a face shield for peace of mind, and a bigger pfd with lots of padding for your back if you hit stuff upside down. If you aren't comfortable holding your breath a lot, and upside down, maybe a raft is the way to go.

 

So what's "not perfecting a high wind jibe"? Assuming you sailed in the gorge, you likely did a lot of jibing in big swells? Where did you sail, and in what wind? I'm just trying to find out if you're talking your water issue down, or not. If you've sailed a 3.0 at Rufus, go get kayaking! If you've never sailed less than a 4.0 at the Event Site, get a big raft and enjoy the barg-iness. Even with your less than "perfect" water experience, it sounds like you've got a lot and so must have a fair level of comfort. If you kayak, you'll be pretty safe with a helmet (maybe a face shield for peace of mind, and a bigger pfd with lots of padding for your back if you hit stuff upside down. If you aren't comfortable holding your breath a lot, and upside down, maybe a raft is the way to go.

Never sailed at Rufus. 4.0 is/was my smallest sail. Sailed an 8'2" Cascade. Mostly sailed at Celilo, Maryhill, Doug's, Rowena. Hated the Marina, was OK with the Event site although I don't recall it ever blowing better than 4.5 while I was there. Lot's of kooks there too. There is a lot of breath holding in surfing if you wipe out a lot which I do. I guess in my old age I am becoming a bit of a pussy or something. :roll:

 

Random thoughts -Either way is fun and either way can result in swims. I suppose swimming from a raft has an advantage of having something more buoyant to grab onto, but you cant roll a raft to prevent the swim in the first place. The big difference I notice from a raft to a kayak with respect to intimidation is visibility. Since you sit so much higher I feel there is more comfort with where you are going.

If you are comfortable working on your roll, stick with kayaking at least until you are "older than dirt". I was gripped (scared) for the first three years I paddled and still get nervous on new runs and at new waves/holes. I think this is frequent, and adds to part of the addiction of paddling though. One key to staying out of trouble, especially if you are older is to dress for the swim.