RE: [Paddlewise] BCU Issues

Jim (Ace ACA man) said (snip:

>I have no concern that BCU certification will ever be necessary in the
US.  Politicians can easily be swayed when their patriotism is
questioned - no one, I think, would ever vote for requiring a foreign
certification system in the good ole USA when the AMERICAN Canoe
Association has its own certification.<

Here in Canada the CRCA has things pretty much locked down - which is fine
by me. It's a good organization with competent paddlers/educators at the
helm and so far has exhibited professionalism comparable to the other
germane systems but without the lack of uptake a new scheme sometimes
suffers. Most clubs swing with the CRCA while the guide industry does its
own thing keeping the government and underwriting providers happy as a seal
in a bowl of sardines. However, the topic of certification still engenders
heated exchanges now and again. 

Some of the smaller operators still hold on to BCU involvement, while others
cross-pollinate - while most of us pay our annual dues in real time by being
on the water and learning from experienced friends (in other words, no
affiliation except bum time in the kayak doing one's own thang). 

Up here in the great white north land of real beer, we worry more about
water access, restrictive infringements, personal risk from environment, and
keeping a low profile on the "man's" radar. Local clubs affiliated with the
CRCA promote the safety/goodwill/training in well-heeled yearly membership
intervals, while many of the executive fight hard behind the scenes for
paddlers "rights" (such as fighting the proposed Mega-Yacht Marina in
Victoria's inner harbour). 

Paddlers are well-connected on internet forums and everyone, including
visitors know we have a good thing going and all parties and levels of local
through federal government need to work together to keep it that way. Just
about every paddler I know, instructor, coach, forum moderator, outdoor
magazine editor, retail operator and guide provider, marine-trail booster,
kayak map-maker (et al) desires to retain the freedoms extant in Canadian
paddling, improve paddling opportunities, while many even want a personal
legacy in these regards.

While I may be culpable of Pollyannaism, I know enough to know the young,
overly-optimistic girl played by Haley Mills did eventually succumb to a
spinal cord injury restricting her freedoms severely. Certainly, Canada
could suffer irreparable damage to our paddling freedoms, but I don't think
it will come through a BCU breach into Canadian certification. 

I've learned to stay out of these discussions as much as possible (and on
other forums too). It's too easy to offend someone, say something too
readily misconstrued, get off on a tangent, or misrepresent regional issues,
yet...I do love my paddling here in Canada, as do most of you I rather think
who come up here, and do want to indicate things are being worked out here
from my understanding of events and attitudes.

The BCU are good people. The instruction and coaching are world-class.
Previous representative attempts may have been world-ass, but don't chuck
the whole system out on account of a few individuals. I rather think the
only reason the BCU bulged out of the UK was due to a partial vacuum. We all
know that's an oxymoron. So is the "British Canoe Union" in North America.  

I'll go now. :-)

Doug Lloyd    
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