robert perkins wrote: >> I don't have any way to evaluate the competency of the instructors prior to signing up for a course... One of the members is working on BCU instructor certification and does some teaching now. I'm skeptical.<< the assessment/training process for bcu is pretty rigorous, especially coach 3 and above. i am a coach 2, which certifies you to teach the basics on quiet water and as such is accessible to paddlers with moderate teaching skill and experience. the ones i have personally met though have been uniformly good folk and good teachers. although i consider myself a capable paddler, and take particular interest in seamanship and safety, i do not consider it a given that i will pass the 2-day coach 3 assessment i'm scheduled to take this fall. the standards are stiff as that level certifies you to lead groups on open water. moral of the story: you are unlikely to find an overcredentialed, underqualified instructor who has <<completed>> his/her bcu certification at the coach 3 level. if you contact one of the four nordkapp trust sea kayak centers they should be able to help you track down the qualified instructor nearest you. great river outfitters 248-683-4770 waterford, mi sweetwater kayaks 941-346-1179 sarasota, fl atlantic kayak tours 914-246-2187 saugerties, ny maine island kayak co. 800-796-2373 peakes island, me i've spent time with all of these folks, and always felt i got more than my money's worth. scott williams of sweetwater kayak conveniently (for me) is located 30 minutes from my in-law's when we visit in the winter. nothing beats a warm water lesson in february, and practising your braces, rolls, and surfing in 80 degree water in summer is a blast for a northerner whose local water never really warms up!. and scott is the best athletic instructor i've ever worked with. george ruta northcountry kayak 518-677-3040 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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