[Paddlewise] ACA certification (was: BASK&clubs/New Cert Concept)

From: Frank Lucian <fwl_at_webtv.net>
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 21:18:28 -0700 (PDT)
Some of the posts regarding ACA
certification were forwarded to John Lull,
an ACA Instructor Trainer. He asked me
to post the following response for him:


Julio recently posted a statement regarding ACA Certification
requirements that was totally incorrect. He stated that the ACA does not
require an Eskimo roll, knowledge of weather, or experience in rough
water for instructor certification. 
The fact is instructor candidates are required to have a strong Eskimo
roll, competence in surf, rough water, and tide rips, a good working
knowledge of navigation and weather conditons, and technical
proficiencey with strokes and rescues BEFORE they present themselves for
certification. The certification process is focused on the ability to
teach kayaking skills; instructors have to be skilled paddlers first. 
As an Instructor Trainer for several years, I have never certified
anyone who didn't demonstrate all the above skills. 
I'm totally mystified about where Julio got his information. My
recommendation to everyone is not to jump to any conclusions regarding
ACA certification until you have investigated it for yourself. 
In another message, someone described ACA certification as too "wimpy."
I challenge anyone who believes this to go through the program with me.
I consider kayak surfing a very basic sea kayaking skill right down
there with the Eskimo roll. Sea kayaking instructors should have this
stuff mastered." 
       John Lull, ACA Instructor Trainer 

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Received on Tue Oct 06 1998 - 21:19:00 PDT

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