Jean achieves rolling zen and facial zinc.

As advertised, a new day. With warm mid-70s temps, mild wind and a bright sunny attitude: become one with the sweep roll. (Make that two—you do want to get both sides.) Today, PFD-less Jean “found her float” and “became one with the paddle” (i.e., upon capsizing, she squared her shoulders to the water, looked at the sky, engaged her waterside leg while dropping her head back, then “swept” the paddle blade firmly but lightly as if flinging a Frisbee, and used her core muscles to slide onto the now-upturned back deck. 20 times both sides. Omm.)

Here are a few of today’s moments of Southern zen, including Jean’s sweep roll, plus sights and sounds of Tybee:

Tomorrow’s goal—rolling with an un-extended paddle and an element of surprise (i.e., “finding the set-up position”). And “finding a cold one” to enjoy on this here porch. Goodnight, y’all! 🙂

Alex likes to say, “Life is non-linear.” And guess what? Learning to roll is no exception. Just because you had success on both sides yesterday doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll simply pick up where you left off today. You might start overthinking your pivot hand, which can make you forget you even have legs that should be driving the kayak upright, and where should my [name of body part here] be now? thoughts come flooding in with the tide.

No worries—just review the basics. A lot. See the two video clips below, featuring Cheri and Turner and lots of Tybee sand:

So….Jean’s to-do list for tomorrow: 1) “find her float,” sans lifejacket, 2) keep her pivot hand on her pivot shoulder instead of pushing the paddle away or down or who-knows-where, and 3) scull for support. Tonight’s to-do, however: Remember that “tomorrow is another day.” (Pictures below from this evening, Thursday 10/16, Tybee Island, GA).