Re: [Paddlewise] New certification conc

 -----Original Message-----
From: Nick Schade [mailto:schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 1998 4:47 PM
To: PaddleWise
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] New certification conc
>>
 I would suggest that any certification include an on-the-water test   given
by a 3rd party and the test should be held 6 months to a year after the
class. This tests to see if the skills learned in class actually were
retained by the student. This would also give those who think they are   good
enough the ability to skip the class and go right to the test. Tests   would
involve dealing with different conditions. If the certification is for
rough water paddling, the testee paddles in rough water. The tester
observes how the testee deals with the conditions and asks the testee to
get in and out of certain situations that are reasonable to expect given
the conditions. The ability to perform some sort of self rescue is
appropriate for any conditions, calm or rough. The tester grades on how
successfully the testee deals with the conditions. Grades should not be
based on style, but success. Some evaluation of judgement can be made by
observing choices made in dealing with conditions, but this would tend to
be more subjective. Obviously this is not ideal as conditions will vary
making it hard to standardize, but it could have some use.
>>

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This pretty much describes the BCU Four-Star assessment Linda and I took
last year. Though a class was offered the day before, we skipped it and
still passed, though we did bone up on the required skills in the weeks
beforehand. If memory serves, the Four-Star assessment can be given only
in Force 3 to 5 conditions; apparently the BCU does not consider it a   real
test when conditions are too calm. Among other things, we were graded on
basic navigation, strokes, braces, contact and line tows, rescues, safety   
gear (which includes spare clothing for a hypothermia victim),   knot-tying,
maneuvering, landings and launchings (one test was to enter a floating
kayak without using the paddle), and self-rescues. We got to choose the
method of self-rescue, so Linda and I both chose the reentry and roll,
while the others chose the paddle float reentry. The towing test began
when the assessor said, "I don't feel well; I need a tow." Then he let us   
as a group work out who was going to do what and how while he observed.
I've been told that in the Four-Star test the BCU grades most on paddling   
skills, and that one thing the assessor tries to assess by observation is   
how comfortable you are in the conditions.

One thing I enjoyed about the assessment was that after he tested us on
something, the assessor, Bruce Lash, would suggest alternate ways of
accomplishing the same thing, so overall it was about 2/3 test and
1/3 class. Linda and I both thought it was a fun way to spend the day.

Chuck Holst   
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