Re: [Paddlewise] learning curve and forgiveness

   OK, I'd like to contribute my penny's worth to this discussion. I haven't
really though this all out, so I'll be shooting from the hip on this one. 
   First of all, I think that learning any kayaking skills at all is a good
thing. I don't care what order folks want to learn them in, just as long as
they are trying to progress. I have always been a strong proponent of skills
over equipment. But I have found it difficult to keep peoples interest while
working on the brace on flat water. If you really want to learn how to brace
then teach them the roll, or better yet, throw them into the surf zone. You
can make the argument that one needs to know how to brace before learning to
roll or entering the surf, but at least in my experience as an instructor,
it's really much easier the other way around. In the surf you have to brace.
If you blow it, you get to swim in, empty your boat, launch and try it again.
It makes for a pretty powerful incentive to get it right. And as far as the
roll goes, all it is, is a glorified brace. If you can roll, then you can
brace.
   On the issue of instructor certification, I'm not certified so you can take
what I say as sour grapes if you like. But I have met certified instructors
(ACA) which did not have the skills of my average students! Anybody can teach
kayaking. I had one person who got a job teaching kayaking up north who signed
up for my class because they thought it might be nice to know something about
how a kayak worked before they started their job. I'm serious! I think that if
a certification program is going to exist then anyone who achieves instructor
level should know how to roll, and be comfortable and polished with most of
the other popular rescues. An instructor level kayaker should have some
experience in wind and waves, and on the ocean. An instructor, at least,
should be a cut above the average paddler. As far as the average paddler goes,
I just don't think any kind of certification is necessary. If you look at the
diving industry where they have certification for everything, I think the only
people who really benefit are the shops who have yet another excuse to charge
people for something. 
   Now I'll probably wake up tomorrow and really regret having said all this,
but, oh well.

Scott
So.Cal.
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