Regarding the *stars* thing, this is just my take. While I was splitting my time between spending my vacation on trainings and going on trips with my kayak, my attitude was about wanting to benefit from the experiences of others (star and coach cert holders) and those experiences of my own I learned on my trips. Having others view my performance in a training or assessment is not the same as my own opinion, so I considered it a worthy benchmark. Most of the best paddlers I paddle with have not a star to rub between them. I know a considerable number of paddlers who have no stars and paddle like they have no stars. Some are single venue paddlers. They only paddle whitewater or sea or what have you. Lots of people who don't expose themselves to the clinics or central ideas of curriculums do just fine. Some can develop some definately odd ideas in look and practice, but as long as they don't hurt themselves or others, who cares? What can irritate me are those that do hold lots of stars or certs and try to insinuate some sort of automatic leadership position. I see lots of clique-like behavior that often centers around such authorities and though they are usually quite fine when taken on their own, I still prefer to head the other way in such settings. It's not why I paddle. I wasn't there on Mark's paddle, but it sounded like a preschool fire drill, so will not venture any other opinions. I will say that I have been in and out of the gate on big ebbs and that lots of these symposiums are put on the calendar on such dates for good reason. Namely, that big ebbs and floods put the fire into the tidal races that would draw my interest or that of others. If I want to take a tidal rapids clinic, I don't want to do it on a mild tidal cycle. I can get that 45 minutes from the house in a grade 2 river. Features like Yellow Bluffs, the rapids off Alcatraz and Belvedere point are classics on big ebbs. With that in mind, most BCU advanced venues, particularly assessments, are geared toward replicating British conditions. As it is an international award, that last bit is important. If you can't produce big standing waves in current, wind and swell it's a no go as an assessment, it reverts to a training. SF Bay can produce conditions worthy of a 5* assessment, but there still is a risk that even a big ebb can meet no wind or swell and be just a jet. Chances are that big ebbs in marginal seasons will be a go, so the venues are planned around them. Mishaps can occur, feelings get ruffled and the judgement of others called into question. Sounds like a fun time! Cheers, Rob G -----Original Message----- From: Scott Hilliard <kiayker_at_sbcglobal.net> > Credentials aren't everything. What really counts is competence. > B I absolutely agree! But I was trying not to go there as I suspected that would be an unpopular position on this list. I have always considered the ACA and the BCU to be avenues for paddlers to attempt to pay for experience. The credentials just tell me that the person has the time and money. But then I might be postulating sour grapes as I don't posses any stars either.B B ScottB So.Cal.B *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jan 13 2009 - 04:20:05 PST
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