[Paddlewise] Swimming Under the Golden Gate Bridge

"Credentials aren't everything. What really counts is competence.
Especially
when your life is on the line."

Craig Jungers
With practically no credentials at all in Moses Lake, WA
------------------

Wise words. 

In Europe some of the sportsorganisations at present try to enforce what
is called EPP, Euro Paddle Pass. At least in some of the countries
including Denmark. 

This has created quite some discussion since a major part of the
"ordinary" seakayakers find that the implementation as well as the
definitions in the "standard" has more to do with monopolizing and
making a profit than promoting safe seakayaking. 

I'm close to retirement but over the years I have got a lot of
credentials for specialized skills (e.g. CNE, CNI, MCP, MSCE, MCT) and
right now I am preparing my retirement via a certification as "Certified
Playground Security Inspector". It has all been necessary for my
professional activities as a skilled engineer but I recall many examples
where the inflation in this area of business has separated competence
from credentials.

Until very recently I had no stars but then I succumbed to the demand
for certification because of the implication that I didn't try to
certify because I couldn't meet the demands.

Well, I passed the tests without preparation or prior knowledge about
the test criteria and qualified myself as a peer in some respects. I
still don't really know what kind of a star I have become. I'm not a
brilliant kayaker. My techniques are flawed and my back gives me some
physical limitations. But I can roll myself up in hard weather and I
have assisted with some real life rescues under hard conditions too. 

Now the EPP - as implemented in Denmark - focus not just on technical
skill but also on technical perfection of these skills. "Group
management" as e.g. defined in Oregon is not on the agenda. Tour Leaders
are also undefined. Well not quite. The definition says that an approved
tourleader is capable of bringing a group of kayakers along at all times
of the year in all kinds of water and in all kinds of weather. I'll
never become one of those. But within my known limitations I feel
competent to bring kayakers of my choosing along in waters I have made
myself familiar with. With a past as a company commander I'm quite aware
of my obligations and I constantly seek knowledge and inspiration and
one very valuable venue for this is actually paddlewise.

I hope we shall be able to avoid the worst cases of certification and be
able to concentrate on competence but it seems like a trip against the
tide.

Jens Viggo Moesmand
Denmark
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