Re: [Paddlewise] New certification concept (was: BASK&clubs)

Julio,
I think we pretty much agree on the level of relevance of the ACA. I
personally would go so far as to give a succint summary of their sea
kayaking certification...

It's too wimpy.

The BCU is much better as far as technical skills go, but again there are
problems. They are too stuffy. Things like never paddling alone or
completely ignoring greenland paddles bother me.

I wonder what the good people on this list would come up with if we
decided to start our own certification program.

Perhaps I'll get the ball rolling...

I think the the five star rating of the BCU is too complicated, and leaves
too much room for mediocrity at the lower levels. I would propose having
only a single rating, and then add specialized components as needed.

For instance, Joe Seakayaker has an official Paddlewise certification of
competency with specialty in greenland paddles and paddling open coast w/
surf. Or something like that.

The basic certification would be much more comprehensive of the basic
skills. I'll list a few, and then perhaps others could add more.
- Basic paddle strokes: Forward, sweeps, rudders, duffek
- Basic skills: edge control, edged turns, sculling, high and low brace
- basic rescues: Wet-exit, assisted (several kinds), solo w/ paddle float
- basic eskimo roll: I would go so far as to require a roll for
certification, others might balk so much that I might have to compromise.
But we should at least give the message that this is the best kind of
rescue, period, and that it is not really that hard to learn.
- basic navigation skills: Read a chart, compass, avoid shipping lanes,
- basic tide and current awareness
- basic hypothermia awareness
- basic boat packing skills

Well, that's not a bad start for the BASIC certification. The idea here is
to make it somewhat difficult, instead of giving one away with every full
tank of gas. Another idea is to keep it simple -- one level is all that is
needed to make sure everyone is a competent kayaker for the level of
paddling that majority of sea kayakers typically attempt. This would
really increase safety in general. Then there are the specialized
ratings that can be used for aspects of sea kayaking that the majority of
the sea kayaking public would not typically attempt, such as rock
gardening, open coast paddling, tide rip playing, greenland paddle
technique, surfing, whitewater rivers, etc...  There are plenty of people
who do want to learn these things, and it would be good address each one
directly and specifically, because they are all quite dangerous in
different ways. (greenland paddles ARE dangerously fun...)

Well, what do you think... can we run with this and turn it into something
substantial? This is a wonderful email list, with many many outstanding
contributors. I don't see why we couldn't formalize a certification
program, even if it just goes on the web page for the general public to
read. let's be the Linux of sea kayaking. :)
	 ___________________                                                            
	/   Kevin Whilden   \
       |Dept. of Geosciences \___
       |University of Washington \
       |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| 
        \________________________/                       

On Fri, 2 Oct 1998, Julio MacWilliams wrote:

> Yes, the ACA certifies instructors for coastal kayaking. However,
> it seems that you do not need to know how to roll, nor weather patterns,
> nor be very proficient in surf and rough seas, to get certified. 
> 
> Rather, you have to be able to show students how to make the ideal
> forward stroke, and a couple of drag side strokes, with a european paddle.
> Also you have to be able to show students the ACA concept of safety,
> which does not get to the level of the stuff that we often discuss 
> in this list.
> 
> Because of this, someone like me, would have to do less of practicing rolls,
> rough sea rescues, navigation, Greenland strokes and tricks, in order
> to prepare in the next months for the certification exam.
> 
> Now I have to train for what the ACA thinks is sea kayaking in order
> to get their certificate.
> 
> I wonder if the American Sailing Association would me more qualified
> to certify sea kayaking instructors than the ACA.
> 
> - Julio 
> 
> (yes, I know I am igniting fire, but that should result in a healthy
>  discussion) :-)
> 
> > paddle. The ACA's great for some things and is one of the foremost
> > organizations for insturctor certification as you well know... it's not a
> > _users_ group however. Which is kinna what I'm/we're dicsussing...  Some
> > have felt in the past that ACA and others like are a bit to manufacter
> > orientated.
> > FWIW
> > ;)
> > Tom
> > 
> 
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