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"I mostly teach using the "EJ" method because I think in most cases it's the best method to teach those aspects. But the goal of the whole instruction is to help the student develop a fluency with the roll, rather then to inculcate a particular "script" for rolling. Thus once someone has a reasonably reliable roll, we no longer allow them to set up before flipping over. Once someone can roll up every time leaning back, we try to get them to roll up leaning forward. The ultimate goal is to be able to roll from any position to any position. This aspect of EJ's instruction plan is typically neglected in discussions IMO." -- James Sneeringer (Instructor: Valley Mill Kayak School)

"If you mean teaching beginning whitewater kayakers that are not injured, inflexible, or overweight to lay on the back deck as a primary technique when learning to roll, then yes, we still do not promote that. (For the record, we have always stated that, with proper qualification, any roll has it's own merits.) ... In our opinion, the best thing any kayak coach can do is avoid dogma. We really encourage everyone to learn multiple rolls from multiple teachers (and schools) and think for yourself." -- Sunny Pitcher (Owner: Potomac Paddlesports)

"I like to start my students with an easy roll that builds their confidence. So I start them with a C2C or Sweep roll that finishes lying back to achieve a low center of gravity. I believe that 90% of the roll is a head game. If you are relaxed and believe in yourself you will roll up. Otherwise, you will tense up, lift your head, and pull against your roll with the non-hip-snap knee. Doubt will destroy your roll faster than sloppy or weak technique! It is important to start students out with a positive, successful, experience. After they can roll, I encourage them to work on more difficult rolls, with the ultimate goal of rolling from any body/paddle position to any body/paddle position." -- Jim Hubshman (Instructor: Valley Mill Kayak School, Team River Runner)

"So as to not confuse the “EJ Style” roll, with the already named Back-Deck Roll (a common rodeo technique), and to not imply that EJ invented the roll, I call this an LCG Roll. The only difference between an LCG Roll and a non-LCG Roll is the finishing posture. All other aspects are the same. Is the LCG Roll really safe? LCG Roll is at least as safe as other rolls. When initiating the roll your face is exposed no more than non-LCG Rolls. If you miss your roll and start to flop back over, you are in position to brace, if the brace fails your upper arm is in position to protect your face. Is the LCG Roll really easier? Pull out your old physics text book. Do the math. The lower the center of gravity the less force needed to roll up! Less force over the same rotational distance means less work. Last I heard less work was good :o) " -- Jim Hubshman (Instructor: Valley Mill Kayak School, Team River Runner)

"2007 Jackson Kayaks All Star Review"

Before I start my review, in the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I am definitely biased. My wife, Monique, once ran the Valley Mill Boat Shop (VMBS). VMBS is the exclusive Jackson dealer for the area. We both teach for the Valley Mill Kayak School (VMKS), which uses Jackson kayaks and teaches EJ’s methods. Also, I am friends with both David and Eric as well as with another previous VMBS manager, Colin. So, given my affiliations, why should you believe my review? No reason you should. All I can tell you is that my opinions are my own. I would not offer up lies to help Valley Mill, the Jacksons, or anyone else. However, my judgment could be influenced by my biases. So, I suggest that if you like the sound of the boat, but don’t trust the source, demo it for yourself. [Now for the shameless plug :o) VMBS offers free demos of all of the Jackson kayaks.]

When I first got my 2007 Jackson All Star I took it out on Center Chute (PHOTOS). I was very impressed with it’s performance! The boat is really fast and loose. The level was 5.95’, so Center Chute was making a nice wave with a bit of foam pile on top, but was still a little surgy. It was effortless to catch and surf the wave in my All Star. Lefty and righty spins were no problem. Occasionally I would surf too far off one shoulder or the other of the wave. Whenever this happened it was really easy to get back onto the wave. All I had to do was put the boat on edge and it would rocket forward like I had a jet engine. WOW! Cartwheeling in the 2007 All Star is really easy. The ends slice in effortlessly and rotation is smooth and well balanced. I was not yet dialed into the boat and was having trouble with timing for blunts. [Now that I am dialed in I can say that the boat blunts well.] The boat is very fast and making the transition from edge to edge is easier in the 2007 than in the previous design. The previous All Star design was fantastic for backstabs, and the new design is just as good or even better because of the extra length in the stern. I loved my old All Star but do not regret making the change. David and EJ did a great job improving the design with out changing the essence of the boat. Now that I've had the boat for about a year, I am happy to report that I am still enjoying the All Star and still believe it is the best boat of it's class on the market. Not only is it a great play boat, it's a great all around boat that I am comfortable running a lot of fairly advance stuff in.

FYI, I’m 6’ 0” tall, 33” inseam, size 11 feet, and range in weight from 170-185 lbs. I have the seat for my All Star a little bit forward of center and am very comfortable with foot room to spare.

SYOTR

Jim :o)

Monique and I would like to congratulate four time world champion Eric Jackson and his teammates for their spectacular showing at the 2007 Worlds! We would also like to congratulate Dave and EJ along with the entire Jackson Kayak company for the success of the 2007 boats. For classes in which Jackson Kayaks competed they won 7 of 15 possible medals. WOW!!!

2007 World Championships Results for these classes.