RE: [Paddlewise] Trips - hosts and leaders

Sounds like a troll Scott, I'll bite.  No question there are many outfitters
who employ competent, motivated, instructors, some of them are world class
paddlers and I'm proud to call several of them friends.  Equally sure there
are some who have "guides" with questionable competency.  The one thing all
outfitters have in common is that instruction is not cheap.

I'll  grant you not all kayak clubs are equal, even in the best, some
"leaders" are better than others.  In the club I know best though most, if
not all, of the instructors teaching classes and clinics are ACA certified
instructors or BCU certified coaches, many are both.  Some are also working
or have worked as Pro's.  You do not have to be a best-of-the-best paddler
technically to teach a class to beginners, you do have to know how to teach.
The ACA, BCU, and others train and certify teachers.  While club instructors
may not be world class paddlers, they are teaching within a club out of love
of the sport and to give, especially to beginners, the fundamentals of safe
paddling at a price all can afford.

If your local clubs are so needy, perhaps you and your peers could consider
volunteering your time.  Certainly it's a challenge and frustrating, but it
is a way to give back to the sport to those who couldn't afford it
otherwise.

Best,
Rob.


Scott wrote:

   Finding reputable instruction requires some minimal research. I work for
a shop that I can assure you offers what I consider to be exceptionally
competent instructors and guides. If they weren't - I wouldn't work for
them. We relentlessly work on training our instructors and guides, and I can
assure you that they are all top notch. I believe the people I work with are
in it more for the love of the sport then the money - I know that's why I do
it.
   On the other hand, my experiences with the local kayaking clubs have been
very disappointing, to say the least. It seems that several of the "leaders"
were more interested in trying to impress the novice paddlers with their
machismo and kayak tricks then they were in leading an actual organized and
"safe" trip. No wonder they are so concerned about the liability of it. They
all talk a big game - but talk is cheap.
   I have got to believe that if someone really wants to learn how to do
things correctly in this sport then they will be MUCH better off spending
the money to get professional instruction from people who know what they are
doing and have learned how to teach it. Although I'm sure the instruction
you get at a club event is worth everything you've paid for it.
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