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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Certification
Posted By: Lee In Response To: Certification (Hugh)
Date: Friday, 8 December 2000, at 9:17 p.m.
: I'm curious about people's opinions of certifications through various
: organizations (ACA, BCU). I have a BCU Cert and am working on another. The
: friends I paddle with all have some sort of certification and there is a
: general mindset to work our way up the various ladders. We all work for an
: outfitter and think the industry is headed in that direction or should.
: That is not to say, however, that there aren't some extremely talented
: paddlers who haven't had any certification and who know more about the
: sport than many of us ever will.Hi Hugh, My understanding of certification is that it is a process by which a group of people may identify themselves by a particular learning for financial benefit and legal protection. I'm not familitar with BCU except by casual conversation with participants in that system. I've taken the ACA multi-day workshops and exams twice and am "certified". I've enjoyed the experience a lot and learned as much in it as I have from teaching people all summer from 9-6 every weekend.
The ACA teacher-instructors were excellent. The curriculum changed from one year to the next. Some topics were unnecessarily emphasized, some "process/content" evaluations became tedious and formulaic, but overall the experience of being with other folks for the purpose of learning to teach was priceless,,,well there was a price but the outfitter/my employer paid for it. Our courses took place in late fall and early spring so cold water was an added thrill. I do like the BCU seperate designation for skills and teaching. Everyone knows someone that is an "expert" but can't teach worth beans as well as folks that have average skills but can inspire and teach well. ACA does a good job cultivating teaching skills. Its certification program for Sea Kayaks is a work in progress. A couple of years ago there was a Coastal Sea Kayak instructor, then there was a Coastal Sea kayak instructor and Flatwater sea kayak instructor,,,and I think now there is a Coastal, Flatwater, and a "Quick-Start" or somesuch cerification for even less instruction. I think the ACA is developing a surf-zone certification now. Kind of gives me the impression that the ACA is trying to broaden its teaching membership base as well as certify instructors.
I was struck by how liability and legal issues affect "best teaching practices". "Well if a client went out by themselves and drowned and you were sued by the family you'd have to show that you taught that person according to an industry standard" What's that standard? ACA,,, who's the expert for the plaintiff? another ACA instructor/trainer! Not to be cynical here but there's something deliciously ironic there.
I've heard that the BCU method for teaching wet-exits is fairly brief, I find the ACA method a bit long winded and prone to encourage unnecessary fear. I would be curious to know of any instructors that have had a student NOT be able to wet-exit?
Performing a skill is one thing, but being able to teach it well is completely different. My first attempt at teaching a high brace was something to the effect of "do this,,,and uh do that" I was so nervous about my skills being up to par that I completely missed the point of the exercise, to teach effectively. Being in 46 degree air/water had quite some effect on my comfort level!
I can't think of a better way to begin to learn teaching skills than from folks that are intending to develop teachers.
The experience was intense and bonding with the other participants. Then again having the ice melt three weeks earlier made all those close huddles necessary.
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