Re: [Paddlewise] Under The Waves-Hand Holders

Duane Strosaker wrote:


>Hand Holders,
>
>Whatever happened to just giving a few pointers on the beach and then
sending
>the kayakers into the surf?
<SNIP>
Those who want to be held by the hand will never become skilled
>kayakers, because they don't have the guts it takes to learn this sport.
It
>is amazing how anal, methodical, and even sterile sea kayak instruction has
>become.  Has it gone too far?
Bob Volin replied ....
Duane (and others who might agree):  Every teacher knows that there are many
successful approaches to learning.  What worked for you might have presented
an impossible hurdle to others.  Just the same, the methodical approach that
is demonstrably effective for many paddlers is one that might turn others
away from the sport before they give it a chance.  Successful teachers try
to understand each student at least as well as they do their subject.

As someone said in a recent post on a completely different subject:
different cultures have different ways of respecting people.
    Bob..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a difference between hand holding and a methodical approach, step by
step approach.  It is the teachers job and responsibility to develop and execute
the curiculum which works, and htis comes from practice, trial and error, and
receiving feedback.  The teacher must also know how to push/nudge their pupils
and encourage risks taking.

I personally find teaching and coaching and interesting challenge, since I must
figure out what will work best with each individual.  I need to take what has
become second nature for me, and translate that into words and actions which
others can understand and execute.  Sometimes we do not fully appreciate the
effort that goes into learning how to coach/teach.

Finally, I agree that overly agressive hand holding will not take the place of
self initiative.  I did not, however, view Doug's description as hand holding,
but instead an approach which works for him.  But in the end, it would be
interesting to hear feedback from his students.

sid
   who is suffering from paddle withdrawal as winter sets in


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