[Paddlewise] BCU (organizational) training

Dave Williams wrote (as part of a post on another subject)

>I'm not overly familiar with the BCU schemes, but from what I've
>seen of it, I'm also not overly impressed.  It does have it's place and it
>serves to educate the masses.  But with all such 'big league'
organizations,
>it's gonna have its drawbacks... such as personal attention to individuals
I
>reckon'.


Individual instructors may be more or less attentive and helpful, but I'm
compelled to respond to Dave's  "blowing off" BCU and other standards-based
training programs.  I've been lucky enough to receive a fair amount of
instruction within the BCU structure, and I think it's been invaluable.
While I've had great teachers and some not so great, but I've had to perform
up to standard during assessments.  The skills acquired during this training
have proven their utility in all the extremes:  in the marshes and in the
surf.

BCU training doesn't involve only individual paddling skills.  I've been
through many training and practice sessions that targeted rescue and
leadership skills.  These, too, have proven their worth in 'real
conditions.'  Because of this training, it is much less likely that my wife
and I, and many of the folks we paddle with, might find ourselves in the
compromising conditions that have been the subject of so many of the
interesting and informative posts to this list.

I truly don't want this post to start a pro-con thread on BCU, ACA and so
forth.  I'm writing just to let it be known that there are paddlers out here
who value such training very highly.

Bob Volin
        bobvolin_at_bestweb.net   ;->
            There cannot be a crisis this week;
             my schedule is already full.


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