-----Original Message----- From: Andree Hurley [mailto:ahurley_at_viewit.com] Sent: Monday, October 05, 1998 11:38 AM To: PaddleWise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] New certification conc <snip> Two other points to address - last spring two BCU coaches sat down with Randy at a course here in Washington and compared notes and found the two systems had a lot in common. Also, the ACA is introducing "modules" now that one can add-on to a cert - such as sufing, etc. This addresses regional differences in needs and conditions. ************************************************************************** * I think several instructors in the Great Lakes area have both ACA and BCU certification, and are using what they consider to be the best features of each program. So that is another source of cross-fertilization. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 5 Oct 1998 12:25:45 Chuck Holst wrote: >I think several instructors in the Great Lakes area have both ACA and BCU >certification, and are using what they consider to be the best features >of each program. So that is another source of cross-fertilization. Alright, so until the Paddlewise group comes out with the perfect training course where would be a good place/school to go to for instruction? I'm trying to plan ahead to next spring/early summer for my wife and I to get some good solid training. I have the Kayak Academy in Seattle recommended to me by a couple of people on this list. I am still sort of leaning towards Trek & Trail in Wisconsin for a few reasons. 1) Cost ($468 for the 2 day confidence course and expedition paddlers course, including equipment vs $650 at the Kayak Academy + $100 boat rental for 5 days = $750). 2) BCU certification, which seems better than the ACA certification. Could be wrong there. 3) Proximity, I live in the Kansas City area. Upper Wisconsin would only be a long day drive away. Seattle would be a two day drive or plane trip + rental car (more $'s). Are there any other schools I should be aware of? Or is there something horribly wrong with Trek & Trail that I should avoid them? Or is the Kayak Academy that good that it would be worth the extra $600++. I am open to any suggestions for schools anywhere in the US/Canada. Thanks. Mel --- There are three types of people, those who can count and those who can't. -----== Sent via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----- http://www.dejanews.com/ Easy access to 50,000+ discussion forums *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
-----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. >> ************************************************************************** * 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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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