RE: [Paddlewise] Solo or Not?

Hi Doug and all,

Doug Lloyd wrote:
>My limited experience with the BCU was that the whitewater guys who slipped
into the courses (during low water months) always went straight to the top
of the class, because they could roll, edge, blah, blah. I'd like to get
those same guys out on the open coast, threading through boomers in the fog,
using only dead reckoning, wave direction, and the reflected sounds apparent
to navigate by.

I see nothing positive in downgrading whitewater skills.  Afterall, a brace
is a brace, a roll is a roll.  I think it is much better if we embrace all
paddlers.  We do have a lot of common interests.  If you'd like to "get
those same guys out on a open coast..." then by all means do so.  You might
be surprised to find that they can handle as much as you... or you maybe
not.  I know I had no problem switching from fresh to salt water.  My
technique is still very much the same though I have modified my forward
stroke a good bit.

My only experience with the BCU was when a Welsh BCU instructor came over
here and trained some guides for a company which I used to work for.  I
couldn't believe how easy it was to get to 4 stars with THIS guy.  I heard
that it's supposed to be a bit more difficult, so I'm not about to judge the
whole system by one person's "style" of grading.

Doug, perhaps you should go paddling with some highly skilled whitewater
paddlers and share your knowledge with them and gain their knowledge in
return.  If you think that whitewater is easier than sea kayaking, you ain't
going down the right river.  I've been pounded in both and I have the utmost
respect for both. I also have the utmost respect for the paddlers who live
through both.

Cheers,
Dave the mediator

Dave Williams
dave_at_paddleasia.com
http://paddleasia.com
Phuket, Thailand


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