Re: [Paddlewise] Certification--was Swimming

   When I go to symposiums I like to watch the people in my classes  
train. To a degree poor physical conditioning, low confidence levels,  
fear of going over and inaccurate boat fit hobble some of these  
people.  The instructors do address this but little seems to change  
from year to year. It is exciting to see people from previous years  
blossom and really progress. Others like me wax and wain.

   I have only paddled 5 star conditions once and did well but my  
strength and perhaps skills have decreased with age. We all slow as  
we age. I hope my judgement which has been earned through a pile of  
mistakes has gone up. I have certainly learned the art of patience. A  
hyper bouncy kid from Philadelphia doesn't learn patience easily.

Its interesting to think of myself as a competent paddler in the  
Southeastern USA but I bet I would struggle a bit if plunked under  
the Golden Gate bridge. Very different places.  Training never really  
ends. Good thing its fun and satisfying.

Jim et al
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