Re: [Paddlewise] best this, right that?

Outfit3029_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
>> I think overhearing someone "teaching" a group of beginners this weekend,
>> speaking as if "his way" was the "correct way", set me off.  I should paddle
>> more & think less.  C'est la vie. >>
> 
>   If ever there is a time for the right way and wrong way, it is with
> newcomers.  This is the purpose of formal instruction (opinion)
> STANDARDIZATION.  At this juncture, there may very well be a right and wrong
> way.  The right way being the way that will introduce paddlers to the sport
> without harming themselves, other paddlers or the paddling environment.
> After paddling for several seasons, we tend to overlook the basics.
> Newcomers need the basics.  They need reference points.  

While I agree that we must agree to disagree on some points (feather,
chines, Kevlar, etc), I agree with Bruce's disagreement with Spencer.
Huh?

When teaching beginners, it's a disservice to say "You can do it this
way, or that way, or this other; try them all and see which you like
best." The beginner needs A way to do it that works. My wife HATES it
when she asks me how to do something on the computer and I say "Click
here and here, or your can press CTRL-! and V, or else the easiest way
is just to type in this command..." and about here she screams "Tell me
ONE way to do it."

Of necessity, when I teach, it's MY way. You don't like it? OK, get
another instructor. Later, as students develop the capability to do "it"
at all, we can introduce other options.

And there are some things that we don't disagree about. If you see a
beginner paddling with his biceps, do you not talk to him about torso
rotation? Does anyone teach picking the head up during a roll? If a
student shows up for a class in Lake Superior in a cotton T-shirt, do
you not send him away for better clothing?

Maybe you would. But you wouldn't teach with me.

Steve (who is not really as dogmatic as this post may sound)
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************