Re: [Paddlewise] ACA Greenland certification

>rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
>>  While "sea
>> kayaking" is being taught without any particular style name attached to
>> it, it too has a spectrum of styles and approaches.  And some of it can
>> be quite doctrinaire.  Take assisted rescues involving 1 kayaker
>> assisting a capsized kayaker to get back into his/her kayak.  I know of
>> about five different approaches to this.  But, boy, trying doing one
>> that the instructor doesn't favor and you get tongue-lashed and put down
>> immediately.
>
Steve Cramer responded:

>I would suggest that this is a function of the instructor, and not the
>body that accredited him or her.
>
I would suggest the culture or system that spawned that instructor was a
rigid hierarchy governed by rigid rules that have hardened right along with
the certifiers arteries. The instructor was most likely browbeaten by the
certifier and now its his turn to administer the beatings. Much the same as
abused children are likely to grow up to be abusers themselves.

I hope Chuck Holst was right when he wrote:
> 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 criticize how another person
>does something.

It is a great concept for learning, one that will lead to self control and
real competence (as opposed to outside control and imitation competence.
There are no limiting rules or criticism to stifle creativity or prevent one
from progressing beyond the "teacher".  Following rules creates only the
imitation of competence. Or is it, the imitation of imitation competence
that results from an "only one right way" carrot and whip approach.
Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com

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