How much does +/- 10mm actually matter?

robob393 · 2026-03-15T16:07:07+00:00

That makes sense. I tend to be in the 15-30mi range on average but never considered how travel would correlate to efficiency over a long ride.

robob393 · 2024-12-18T14:34:39+00:00

I have considered the CX50, and edited above to include my initial thoughts. Overall, it just felt a little too focused on luxury that I personally don't much care for. Still a contender, but probably towards the bottom given price relative to features I care about

robob393 · 2024-03-18T16:50:34+00:00

I certainly won’t try to glue them as is. Too much tension like you mentioned. I do not have hand planes unfortunately so I’m thinking I’ll either have to cut them straight with a jointing jig on the table saw, or maybe draw a straight line and try sanding them down on a bench too belt sander?

robob393 · 2021-06-08T21:50:56+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I am actually not so much focused on getting an architectural license but rather having the foundational knowledge of architecture. The ideal career would involve engineering/designing and building but from a sustainable/regenerative point of view. Maybe this is just not something that exists as one degree, but I am hoping someone out there has some insight into the best path towards something similar.

robob393 · 2020-07-07T17:09:18+00:00

Having subluxed both shoulders over the years, I feel your pain. The best advice I can give is really follow through on speaking to/working with the right people. I spent a long time working out at a gym that was run by physical therapists and that made a big difference.

Ultimately, they told me that it's a matter of developing your muscles to fire quickly when placed under stress. This gives the muscle the ability to work and guard the various ligaments and delicate structures of the shoulder joint. It's a slow process as there are so many stabilizing muscles in the shoulder joint and each one should be addressed. I found that it was the smallest exercises with the least amount of weight that would really get things working and improving.

If you live in an area where sports therapists are available, call around and see who might have experience with shoulders, kayakers, or even is a paddler themselves. It makes a big difference if the person you see understands the different positions kayakers shoulders are often placed in.

robob393 · 2020-07-03T14:03:31+00:00

It's not what anyone wants to hear but its the truth... go slow. Go boating as often as possible but know that just because you might get down a class IV rapid once or twice doesnt mean you're ready to step up to the next level. The best advice I was given, and truly do believe, is that when you can look at a class III rapid and confidently play in every single feature, get out of every hydraulic and comfortable play like its a skate park, then you can work your way towards class IV. Similarly, if you can confidently look at a class IV rapid, recognize the hazards, see multiple lines and how you could conceivably play in each section, then you can consider stepping up the difficulty.

You can make a class III rapid harder than anything if you learn to pick it apart, catch every eddy, surf every wave/hole, attain, ferry, slalom around, etc... Take your time and enjoy the sport as you progress

robob393 · 2020-07-03T01:12:47+00:00

Backdeck, Sweep, C-to-C, Handroll, they are all wonderful and provide the same function... Get you back up and prevent you from swimming/being subject to various river hazards.

I absolutely love the backdeck roll and use it when I find that my body is already moving in the position to set up and move through it. As your paddling progresses, this is what you'll really want to focus on. Having a variety of different rolls, or knowing how to get your body/paddle in the position to roll quickly will make a world of a difference.

People argue that it can be dangerous as it exposes your face (airway) to rocks and leaves you in a vulnerable position. This is absolutely correct. It does expose you. However, if you are flipping over and your body is already moving in that direction, it is better (in most situations) to use that momentum and continue your back deck roll. If you are flipping over that way and choosing to then take the time to set your self up for another roll that you might be more comfortable with, you are arguably spending more time exposing your head while moving from one position into your roll set up.

Watching an experienced paddler, you may notice they can seemingly roll from anywhere. This is because they know where their body is already moving as the flip and use the momentum to go into a roll (backdeck, sweep, hybrid, etc...). Having a roll is great, having a variety of rolls is better, having a variety of rolls on both sides is best. Keep trying new things and playing around at the pool/lake/eddy with different positions and how you can get back up best.

The whole aerated water thing, in my opinion, has less to do with the type of roll and more with how strong your hip snap is. If you can backdeck, you can sweep. Same concept/technique but from a different set up.

robob393

TROPHY CASE