The other day, Jean tossed her kayak on top of the good ol’ Subaru and drove 840 miles to paddle none. That’s right—from New York to Tybee, Georgia, to spend five consecutive days rolling at the 2014 Sea Kayak Georgia Skills Symposium. She’s in expert hands: Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson of international Greenland-rolling fame! Assuming all goes as planned (i.e., Jean keeps breathing warm Georgia air vs. warm Tybee water), you can expect a nightly update on her progress. Below, the adventures of Day One 🙂

Learning the standard layback “sweep” began with no boat at all. Here, Jean emulates Cheri’s arched back/dropped head/raised hip position but looks like an ex-citizen of ancient Pompeii.

Cheri demonstrates the progression. After “capsizing,” she “finds the float” (shoulders square to the water, as if floating on your back in a swimming pool; paddle parallel to your shoulders and the water surface.)

Roll the hips (your boat will tilt partway up)

Engage your core muscles (abs) to slide your torso onto the back deck of your kayak.

Next, add a boat—but hold the water.

Here’s what it looks like on water:

Our turn! Jean and new pal Dee give it a whirl. Er, roll.

See you tomorrow!