Re: [Paddlewise] Swimming Under the Golden Gate Bridge

Good words from Denmark. Nothing smelly.

I always try to think of certification for paddling skills for paddlers as 
separate from certification for coaches coaching paddling skills. The former 
will necessarily have some conformity that is measurable while the later can 
benefit from a number of different approaches measured by the success of the 
enterprise, hopefully by someone free of political malice, monetary gain, 
psychological imbalance, overt dedication to one kayak style, and an 
individual accountable to their own qualified peers (often doubtful). Some 
paddlers just don't have what it takes for teaching - at least in a formal 
environment. The other certification group that emerges from a cursory 
glance are the guiding programs. I think the better guiding programs are 
where the paddle meets the water when it come to group dynamics and the 
ability to keep kayakers out of danger or resolve an issue with a potential 
bad outcome.

I taught woodworking avocationally for 25 plus years, no training, no 
certification, not even shop in school (I took Latin). I did good. I taught 
core skills overly well and relegated those with little patience or an 
ability to incorporate layered advancement to the periphery of my attention 
(other than keeping them safe). I once had a certified shop teacher new to 
BC help for a few months between teaching gigs. What a pathetic experience 
that was for the shop, my stress level, and the students in general. 
However, when a student knowingly disobeyed my instructions one year and 
backed up the wood on a plunge dado cut on the table saw, he lost fingers. 
My employer's lawyer said there was no certificate so settlement was done 
out of court completely in favor of the miscreant student.

I do know individuals who have undergone some rigorous certification for 
marine pilotage and Coastguard officer advancement. They darn well earned 
their "stars." Apparently, there were professional mariners on board the 
bridge of the BC Ferries, Queen of the North, a few years ago,  that hadn't.

However, working toward "stars" in any kayaking endeavour can't hurt, is 
usually beneficial, shouldn't always be regarded as innocent props for 
hesitant egos, and should be fun along the way. Personally, I just like 
doing my own thang on the ocean and I'm too set in my ways to go down a 
different road now. I could probably learn a few more rolls, some better 
strokes, and some GPS navigation education. I certainly don't want to pay a 
bunch of money and have someone watch me try and stand in my kayak. And if I 
were Mark on that course in SF Bay,  I'd just of headed out after saying 
"BC'ing ya!" Oh, I would have left my waiver under the TL's deck line with 
N/A on the signature. See what I mean?

Doug Lloyd

PS I like paddling against the tide. Good resistance training.


> 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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