RE: [Paddlewise] New certification concept

Kevin you have just pretty much described the BCU four star award
(competent sea paddler). The five star award is for a competent
experienced leader. Five star Peter will need to know more than just the
basics, he is in charge of the safety of a group of four star Joe's.

I don't think the BCU totally ignores the Greenland paddle (maybe the
instructors/ examiners are) but a lot of coaches (level five) I know in
the UK are also teaching paddling with "lollypop sticks". the BCU
syllabus for example does not state exactly how to paddle forwards, but
says you have to demonstrate a efficient forward stroke.

As you know if you put 10 experienced paddlers from a different states/
continents together you will see about 8 different styles of forward
paddling strokes all of these can be efficient.

I've also come across a lot of "instructors" who are not open to new
developments in our sport, these will not accept someone with a
different paddle style.

Groetjes, Len
(BCU Coach level four)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	K. Whilden [SMTP:kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu]
> Sent:	03 October 1998 01:39
> To:	Julio MacWilliams
> Cc:	paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> Subject:	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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