>> Chuck Holst wrote: > > ...SNIP... > 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 makes sense to me. I can't imagine certifying someone as competent to paddle on open water if they haven't done so. The same thing applies to conducting brain surgery, flying an airplane, piloting a vessel, or just about any other activity where one can be certified as competent. There is always some risk associated with having the inexperienced obtain the practice that is necessary to become competent, but there is no good alternative. The best one can do is to attempt to create the conditions that will allow the necessary experience to be obtained in a relatively safe manner. Dan Hagen Bellingham, Washington >> ****************************************************************** I agree. My question was based on the perhaps mistaken belief that a Four-Star award is required before one can go on BCU- sponsored paddles on open water. So my question is how, under the BCU system, does one gain the experience required for the award? Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
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