For Jed and others embroiled in BCU rumor mill... Rumors and possibly inappropriate actions (see Wayne Newman's post) aside, the official BCU pamphlet that describes requirements for the 3-Star assessment makes NO MENTION of paddle type. The pamphlet specifies various strokes and maneuvers that must be accomplished, but since paddles are not mentioned it may be presumed that if these maneuvers are performed well, it makes no difference to the BCU whether they are performed with a Euro paddle, a Greenland paddle, or a shovel. FYI, the 3-Star assessment is the last "general" assessment. 4-Star and 5-Star assessments are specifically "Inland" (whitewater) or "Sea Kayak." Thus qualifying for 4-Star in a sea kayak does not translate to 4-Star in whitewater, and vice versa. OTOH, the 3-Star applies to both, which means you can take the 3-Star in either type of boat. Consider the implications: if you have difficulty with low brace turns and bow rudders, you might consider taking your 3-Star in a WW boat. Of course the trade off is that you'll have a heck of a time keeping that bow straight while attempting the hanging draw. It stands to reason, then, that if the 3-Star assessment is general, the BCU would have no preference as to paddle type. I understand that members of the Nordkapp Trust -- a North American group that has adopted BCU training standards, but emphatically not a junior auxiliary BCU -- plan to develop BCU-style standards for "traditional" paddling techniques. But I think that this is only on the drawing boards as yet, if it has gotten that far. So, bottom line: up to the 3-Star level, the BCU does not care whether you feather your paddle, or even what paddle you use, so long as you demonstrate the skills. Hope this clears up this controversy. Now, on to the next one! Bob Volin *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
A quick follow-up to my previous post, which focused on BCU 3-Star assessment: Jed's question was more specific to the Coach 2 Assessment. Jed, that pamphlet also makes absolutely no mention of paddle type or style of paddling. Bob V *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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