Re: [Paddlewise] Skills: bracing, rolling.

K. Whilden wrote:
> 
> On Mon, 18 May 1998, SG Scorpio wrote:
> > IMHO NOTHING takes the place of PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION.
> 
> I fundamentally disagree with this last statement, although I definitely
> agree with everything else Steve says. Lots and lots of paddlers
> learn whitewater these days without professional instruction. They learn
> from friends. 

Yes, but they will learn faster and with less stress if they get
competent instruction. I've trained enough canoe instructors to know
that competent paddling and competent teaching are not the same. They
frequently coexist, but not always.

Noticed I said "competent," not "professional." ACA instructors are
mainly volunteers. 

> Overall safety is probably lessened in a globally average
> sense, but it is an absolutely valid way to learn kayaking (river or sea)
> to an expert level of competence. 

Assuming you have expert friends. Most of us aren't that lucky. And
'overall safety is...lessened in a globally average sense'?? Huh?
Perhaps what you mean is, a trained instructor will spend a lot of time
dealing with safety issues; your friends probably won't spend nearly as
much. 'Overall' and 'globally' don't mean squat to me if my friends
haven't bothered to teach me how to stay/get out of trouble.

> If anyone chooses this route to learning
> kayaking, you must be very wary that your friends are competent to make
> learning safe for you. You might not have the experience or knowledge to
> make this judgement for yourself, but you MUST place your trust in your
> friends wisely and deliberately. 

Let's examine this statement. I'm a beginning kayaker, so I have no
experience or knowledge to judge whether my buddy is competent to teach
me to perform a hazardous sport, so I MUST place my trust in my friends
wisely, although with ignorance. Is that what you said?

> I can tell a great story about my first
> river trip under the tutelage of a more advanced friend who said "Your run
> down that class II+ stretch looked great! I think you're ready for class
> IV."

Even though it might be entertaining, don't bother. That last sentence
says more than anyone can to refute your argument.
> 
> If you don't have friends who you can trust to teach you safely, or if you
> want to significantly enhance the pace at which you learn, then by all
> means, pay for professional instruction.
> 
No, I'd rather bumble along with my half-safe friends and take a long
time to get competent. Right. BTW, our club charges $50/weekend for
experienced ACA instruction. No one has ever told me it wasn't worth it.

And I have paid for NOC courses for myself. Money well spent, says I.

Steve Cramer
ACA OC Instructor Trainer Candidate
Training Director, Georgia Canoe Association
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