John Winters wrote: > I too would agree that there is something lacking (or too much of certain > things) in most certification courses. [big snip] > I cannot help wondering if kayak and canoe instruction wouldn't serve > better if they were a continuum with no specific or defined levels. One > starts at the bottom and acquires skills in the order and to the degree one > needs. Eventually the little light might go on and the paddler realizes he > not only has all the skills he might need but also has the experience to > make clear headed decisions. A piece of paper may say the same thiing but > would it be so? John's two cents is mine, also. As a person who probably will never learn to roll (combo of laziness and shoulder problems), but who compensates by making conservative and intelligent choices in his paddling, I suspect I am as "safe" as a hotshot with a refined roll who is willing to use it regularly to pull himself out of capsize situations. (No, I do not want to reactivate the "perceived risk" debate again!) So, how would a conversation with a BCU-certification-oriented person go? Badly, I suspect. Also, I would not seek out trips where gnarly overfall-crossings and/or mandatory big-surf-landings are required. Where this lands for me is that "skills-oriented" certification can never assess "judgement." Being way past the youth and strength category, I'll vote for old age and treachery any day as good things for my paddling companions to have. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Oct 04 1998 - 10:07:39 PDT
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