>> Perhaps you can argue that no one owns the rights to any kayak skill, but the matter really boils down to respect. Had the Greenlanders been approached and offered their advice and input, perhaps the outcome would have been different. Perhaps the ACA should donate a portion of its take to kayaking and cultural programs in Greenland. At any rate, the Greenlanders and John Heath are extremely opposed to this program (and news about a similar BCU program) and can use your help. What to do. Out of respect for the Greenlanders and John Heath I feel the ACA should hold off on a decision to start certification until the Greenlanders have had time to meet, heads have cooled and the issues have been discussed. In the meantime, please write to the ACA <mailto:acadirect_at_aol.com> and urge that the Greenland kayak instructor certification program be suspended. You can reach John Heath at <mailto:jdheath_at_fbtc.net> Greg Stamer >> I'm with John Heath on this one. One of the questions I had when I first heard about the proposed ACA Greenland certification was which Greenland technique? Another, related, one was who is going to certify the certifiers? Questions of respect aside (if it is possible to put them entirely aside), probably most of what is taught as Greenland technique in this country is of questionable authenticity. Greg Stamer has written of the differences between Maligiaq Padilla's style and what is normally taught as Greenland style in North America; from what I have heard, George Gronseth, who studied Greenland style kayaking in Greenland, teaches a much different style than that taught elsewhere in North America; Doug Van Doren, who made a video on the subject, was unaware of any sliding stroke but the full sliding stroke until I brought it to his attention. As an example, one thing I have noticed is that many paddlers and even some instructors who prefer Greenland paddles for their own use grasp the tip of the paddle when extending it instead of sliding the hand out on the blade parallel to the lower hand. The first is derived from Euro-style technique (it is the only way to fully extend a paddle with a wide blade); the second is pure Greenland technique and the only extension technique I have seen used by Greenlanders in films, videos and John Heath's ilustrations. I mention this partly because I have in front of me as I write a photo in the July 4 edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press of a sea kayaker rolling with a "Greenland" paddle with his hand grasping the tip in what appears to me to be a very awkward position. (Unfortunately, the photo is not available on the Web, but you can read the article, "Sea-kayaking on a roll," at http://www.duluthnews.com/dnt/outdoors/kay27.htm and the sidebar, "Kayaking proves fit for many" at http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/3/outdoors/docs/030008.htm.) I guess it boils down to what you mean by "Greenland" technique or, for that matter, a "Greenland" paddle. I see at least two approaches, both of them valid; I'll call them the traditionalist approach and the modernist approach. The traditionalist approach teaches only techniques used by the natives of Greenland and uses only paddles shaped like those made by the natives of Greenland. The modernist approach teaches how to use a variety of narrow-bladed paddles effectively and may include many authentic Greenland techniques, but is not overly concerned about authenticity. If your main interest is learning how the natives of Greenland paddle, the former approach is best for you; but if your only interest is learning how to use your narrow-bladed paddle -- which may have been sold to you as a "Greenland" paddle -- more effectively, the latter approach might be all you need or want. My preference would be to apply the name "Greenland" only to the former approach and to apply another, such as "narrow-blade technique" to the latter. Regarding certification, there is already an international precedent. Many instructors in this country are certified by the British Canoe Union (BCU). As I understand it (I am not an instructor), the BCU closely monitors the work of BCU-certified instructors and coaches in North America. Perhaps a similar arrangement could be made with the Greenlanders. This presents a possible cultural problem, however: I understand that in traditional Greenland culture, children and other people are expected to learn by themselves by observing others, and that it is considered impolite to criticise how another person does something. This might create obstacles to creating a standard instructional program. However, maybe Greenland culture has changed enough that this would no longer be a problem. Does anyone have any details of how the proposed ACA certification would work and what techniques would be taught? Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jul 06 1999 - 09:47:34 PDT
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