RE: [Paddlewise] Paddling with beginners

Kirby asked:

<<<If you can, then try explaining what an expert paddler is.>>>

I hope I'm not impertinent, but...would that be an expert river paddler,
expert ocean paddler, surf zone paddler...canoe or wave ski, SOT,
outrigger or just what? Or is  the "expert paddler" in question a
generic paddlesports person we are trying to envision? Maybe an expert
paddler is one who has varied experience with respect to _all_ the above
paddlecraft. Most of the discussion on PW centers around sea kayaking
(and big lakes), so shall I assume that's what we want to question? What
exactly is an expert sea paddler? I certainly haven't met many. And I
wish I were one. I think I know what one looks like: Nigel Foster seems
like an expert sea kayaker.

If one wants to rather look at the various specific expressions of
paddlesports as we know it, I certainly can think of some great
examples. Scott comes to mind, in terms of surf kayaking. Then there is
Duane, when it comes to crossings; and Kevin exemplifies the river
paddler. Would I call any of these guys experts? Not necessarily. I do
have a term for them however: Advanced paddlers. They have "advanced"
beyond the scope and realm of the normally well understood term of
"intermediate"  with respect to what they do. While there are many
armchair paddlers on PW, there are also many advanced paddlers that have
excelled beyond the merely proficient in there various pursuits. But I
bet we are all happy and enjoy our level of participation -- whatever
level it happens to be. It is also a big world out there, and PW
represents but a minute fraction of paddlers of all levels. Is Don
Diamond an expert paddler? Or is he an expert at crossings. What about
Ed Gillette. I bet these guys don't consider themselves experts -- just
very avid paddlers, who have made a distinguished contribution to the
sport of paddling. I'm sure they have advanced skill sets far beyond the
norm -- or perhaps just different thresholds for monotony :-)

Do we have any experts amongst us? Yes and no. No, I don't consider most
of us as expert paddlers, when it comes to actual paddling. Even guys
like Kevin have only been at it a few years. Yes, we do have some
"experts". Guys like Matt come to mind. His knowledge, experience and
understanding of the many aspects of paddling is profound.

There are also many specific aspects where certain people stand out in
the sport of kayaking: competition paddling within the various
disciplines; noteworthy designers and innovators; and those who are of a
particular exploratory zeal. Can there be expert "paddlers"? Can there
be overall expert paddlers. Well again, it _would_ be hard for me not to
agree that Nigel Foster and his ilk are not preponderantly expert
paddlers in terms of their particular pursuit of paddling.

If I could come up with the attributes of an expert paddler, it would
certainly include manifold experience over many decades. Quantity plus
quality. I know a few guys like this, but they would submit to you the
suggestion that they were simply "experienced" paddlers (perhaps highly
experienced) but, not experts. If I were a lawyer involved with a trial
involving, say, an ocean kayaking incident, I would call in an "expert
witness". Someone with requisite knowledge and experience. Again,
someone like Matt  or John Winters comes to mind. But I doubt these guys
would expand chests at the thought of that. Few "experts" do. I also
wouldn't necessarily say that certification guarantees an expert
paddler. I've paddled with some of the best, and I'd rather paddle with
some of the rest (then again, solo is even better). Someone may be a
very "expert" technical paddler, but may have the emotional intelligence
of an electric eel. This doesn't bode well in group paddling dynamics,
at least. Does an expert paddler have to have excellent leadership
skills, or just be an excellent paddler?

I do know one thing that overrides my own fascist little mind: A _good
paddler_ is always evolving and growing in paddlesports. You have never
"arrived". There is always so much more to learn, to experience, to see
and do and become. Like the shifting sand on a beach, perceptions and
ways of relating to the sport can change from year to year. Once you do
become an advanced paddler in your chosen pursuit (something
quantifiable for anyone with a bit of common sense), you then spend the
rest of your life trying to become an expert -- in a positive,
progressive sense.

Oh, and group paddling (getting back to group paddling -- the original
thread I think)? "Good" paddlers are always sharing their knowledge and
concern with and for other paddlers. Even on a social paddle, there are
always teachable moments for those with a watchful eye. This can be hard
or soft skills, or just a verbal note about some of the flora and fauna
around. Life is sharing with an open heart. You don't have to be
"Hitlering" or micromanaging anybody in order to share and teach --
where a bit of teaching is wanted or indicated or useful (if not, then
you ARE culpable). A paddler aspiring to developing expertise would use
opportunities as appropriate to help instill some confidence and skill
development into the less-than-perfect intermediate and/or new paddler.
This is said without any animosity or specificity to recent posts. I
have no settled opinions to advance here either -- just some personal
convictions that have washed up on my little bit of beach. It would also
take an expert to judge an expert, so who is going to do that. Perhaps
that was your point, Mr. Kirby :-)

DL (who wrote this Friday, and waited to hit "send" for a few days)





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