Viking_Yearbook_90

, I On a ROLL A ,ccomplishing a roll in a kayak with smooth precision and no hesitation is one of the accomplishments a 'yakker' can aspire to. The PSU Outdoor Program teaches safe kayaking skills to students who want to learn the fine art of running a river in the agile kayaks. The weekly class starts out watching videos in the ODP office. The group then goes to the pool to practice their skills for the real rapids. "After eight weeks in the pool, we are going to run the Clackamas River as a class... I'm a little apprehensive because of the roll but I'm still comfortable because I'm not afraid to leave the boat/' said Jeff Shearer. "Your technique has to be perfect, if you lift your head, you won't come up... and it's hard to orientate yourself upside-down under water." Lee Shissler, who learned kayaking through the ODP, is one of three instructors who team teach the class. Even though he has been kayaking for four years, he still considers himself "mediocre". "It can take someone two hours or six months just to learn to roll- it took me six months." So far, all eight boaters in the class have picked up the roll. Even though a considerable amount of energy is devoted to learning the roll, some boaters just don't bother. They would rather concentrate on bracing techniques so they don't tip over in the first place. Doug Pihlaja, the ODP coordinator and kayak instructor, agrees that the roll is not a priority, but said "if they try the roll and get good at it, they will try other, more difficult maneuvers and feel more confident in emergency situations."-Tom Boyd Top: Todd Geske attempts to block a throw from Heidi Van Calcar in a game of kayak keep-a-way. Right: Doug Pihlaja teaches Per Sweetman to roll kayak. 30 r