[Paddlewise] BCU/ACA/??? what is a poor boy to do?

In a message dated 9/7/00 11:21:29 AM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:

<< Certification certainly has its value in setting up a curriculum
 and benchmarks against which an interested paddler can
 measure him/herself.  By its nature, at least in the BCU certification, 
 it lends itself to growth and reaching higher star levels. >>

    True !  The whole BCU  system seems geared toward progression from basic 
safety up to and including Lloydesque storm paddling. While the higher levels 
are never forced on a student, there is a certain amount of "Star" envy among 
active BCU paddlers. The emphasis in your paragraph should be on the 
*interested* paddler, no one is forced to take BCU or ACA, but ownership of 
certification does offer proof of a certain level of boat handling (not 
necessarily people handling) skills.
    The BCU system like any training program, provides a *model* to follow 
regarding the performance of strokes and teaching. A *model* by it's nature, 
is intended to help students understand a complex issue in a very simple way. 
But *models* are not perfect and do not fit every possible circumstance.

<< All of this is fine for the achievement minded kayaker.  What I miss
though is something that would help the masses of kayakers who are not
oriented in that direction and that would help them learn a modicum of
skills and savvy to keep them out of trouble.  The real world of trouble
in kayaking is in the masses of kayakers getting into recreational
kayaks and entry level sit-on-tops.  It would be great to see something
real simple for them.
    Unless I am mistaken, someone showing up with a SOT or Keowee would
perplex a BCU instructor.  Or in a double folding kayak.  There is
really nothing aimed at t >>

    True, again!  But this is where the rest of the paddling community comes 
in to play. Some of our paddling community choose to play to the larger 
national audience, while others of us (too non-PC for mass consumption) 
prefer a smaller, more local venue.  Recent posts to the NSPN web site 
(NSPN.org) have been from recent members praising the instruction they have 
received at the hands of more senior members. The "instructors" are BCU and 
ACA trained and certified, but offer beginner and advanced beginner skills 
instruction, free of charge, to club members
    This past summer, the club held over 30 *free* seminars in and around the 
greater Boston area. We see "students" in sit-on tops, folders, antiques, 
skin-on-frames, plastic, woodstrip, stich-and-clue and fibreglass craft. We 
have members with recreational boats, tandems, decked canoes, white water 
boats  and sea kayaks.  All of whom come for the same reason, to learn about 
boat safety and handling skills. Some people even shore-watch because they 
don't yet own a boat. No one is denied access, there is no gear elitism even 
though we are a sea kayaking club and all of the instructors paddle genuine 
sea kayaks.
    Students come for free instruction. The instructors teach to practice and 
perfect their teaching skills.  All in all, the system seems to work to 
everyone's benefit. As teachers become certified and move on to professional 
status, they leave 3 or 4 instructor wannabe's in their wake to carry on the 
tradition of free training for basic skills and safety for the next season.
    True, I *paid* for my BCU education and my progression through the BCU 
system continues today. But that is my choice. I don't demand that people 
take BCU or ACA sanctioned training. But if they want to teach, I highly 
recommend a recognized system and certification of their skills in order to 
protect students from well meaning but ill equipped instructors.

Jed Luby
Goffstown, NH


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