Re: [Paddlewise] BCU Proficiency Award

> Last summer my wife and I passed the BCU Four Star
> proficiency assessment for sea kayakers. Supposedly the
> Four Star award certifies that you have the skills and
> knowledge to paddle on open water in a group led by a
> competent leader. However, to pass the exam, you must
> be able to prove that you have already paddled on open water.
> 
> This looks to me like a chicken-and-egg problem -- if you are
> not certified to paddle on open water with the BCU, how do
> you get the experience required to take the exam?

Maybe a better question is, when should you personally feel
ready attempt your first open water run.  At some point
in one's paddling life, you have to say, "I've never done
this before, but the conditions are good today, and I've
done all of the personally selected trials that should
prepare me for it, so lets do it."

For me, I've got a few smaller things on my list, and 
then I'll do a crossing in Galveston bay that is about
10 miles each way in rough conditions, then I'll feel
ready to venture out onto the other side of the barrier
island.  Lots of offshore platforms with snapper hanging
around within a reasonable 3 hour paddle to try as truly
open water paddling excercises.

Another question to ask is, how far from land to you have
to be before its "open water"?   Paddling just beyond the
surf zone doesn't seem like "open water", but maybe it is?

Also, what counts as proof?  A video tape shooting a 360
degree pan with a few oil platforms and no beach in sight?
Maybe a GPS track log?
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