Re: [Paddlewise] BCU levels (was: New certification concept)

Hey all,
I've been busy this weekend, and I expect to be quite busy until I finish
a little matter of a MS in periglacial geomorphology. (I wish I could get
a PhD in kayaking...) So I apologize for dropping that good idea before
without any real intention of carrying it through to fruition. But maybe
some others would like to run with it.

Now for a couple of comments regarding the differences between the BCU
levels, and my idea of a single rating with a few very specialized
add-ons. First let me say that I think the BCU system is very thourough
and produces very competent paddlers -- anyone who goes through all of the
levels can both paddle well and has enough experience to probably make
good judgements in unexpected situations. However I really do not think
it the most effective method for training the average american kayaker.
The five star system is too lenient on mediocrity. As an example the Kayak
Academy teaches students the rough equivalent of 3 stars in one weekend,
and the rough equivalent 5 star skills in a single five day training camp.
This is a testament to George Gronseth's incredible skill as an instructor
and to his method of presenting the various skills and mental knowledge.
So it is possible to reach my idea of a single comprehensive 4 star
equivalent rating very quickly. 

A single comprehensive rating is a very good thing because American are
instant gratification kind of people in general. We want to go to REI,
throw our platinum visa card on the counter and say "I'll take one of
those kayaks with the sky blue deck, built in GPS, and coffee cup holder."
Then we load the boat onto our SUV (next to the mountain bikes, skis, and
rocket box) and attempt to paddle the up the Inside Passage with no
training whatsoever. Okay, so I exagerrate to make the point that having
to take more than one different exam to reach what I would consider a
MINIMUM competency level would not work for a significant portion of the
American public.

Now a word about minimum competency mentioned above. Most of the people I
know got into sea kayaking to go on long, multi-day trips, not to just
paddle on calm water and lakes. 2-4 foot seas and 15-20 knot winds can be
encountered pretty much anytime on the seas. In the San Juan Islands and
the Strait of Juan de Fuca, there are hardly ever winds forecasted less
than 15 knots, and this means that two foot seas are commonplace. I think
these conditions are common enough that any paddler less than four star
rating stands a fairly good chance to have to paddle in four star
conditions on a multi-day trip. A good friend of mine had exactly that
problem recently on trip with his girlfriend. She was very inexperienced
(felt she didn't need experience in fact), and her rudder broke in a four
foot following sea. All turned out well, and it was a bit more complicated
than this, so don't start criticising this nugget of info, but I think it
goes to show what the general American public needs: A certification
program that provides a minimum level of competency in rough water in a
short amount of time for a generally impatient public.

So these are part of my rationale for a kind of certification concept that
would do the most good in this country. In an ideal world, the BCU system
and a system similar to mine would be widespread in place side by side to
make sure that ALL kayakers get an approriate pathway to solid skills and
seamanship. Then we will never have to publish a sequel to Deep Trouble.

Again, I would love to hear comments and criticism, and if anyone wants to
take on this project, it would make my week. Cheers,
Kevin

 On Sat, 3 Oct 1998 Geruta_at_aol.com wrote:

> If you add first aid and trip planning skills to the list below, and clarify
> that the boat handling skills are comfortably demonstrated in 2 - 4 foot seas,
> you have described below the BCU 4 star level. the bottom line on 4 star
> certification is that the paddler "is not a liability on an open ocean
> journey" in 15 - 20 knot winds. 
> 
> i very much disagree that the multiple levels are too complicated. 1 star is a
> participation/encouragement award. 2 star is basic skill level in flat water,
> 3 star is confident skill level in flat water and basic seamanship, 4 star is
> confident skill level in rougher water and solid seamanship, 5 star is
> leadership seamanship and skill level in more extreme conditions. This creates
> a ladder of achievement upon which paddlers/students can progress, which is
> tangible enough that people feel some satisfaction as they work their way
> through the awards, and equally important, provides a modicum of
> consistency/standards, so that if someone comes to me and says " i am a # star
> paddler", i know what sort of conditions we can reasonably go out in.
> 
> also, i have been told that the bcu is also hard at work on creating a
> greenland technique module, which they hope to have sorted out by next summer.
> 
> regards,
> george ruta
> northcountry kayak
> 518-677-3040
> (coach level 2, working on level 3)
> 
> In a message dated 98-10-02 21:01:34 EDT, kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu writes:
> 
> << 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   \ >>
> 

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