Taking this season off the Star track…
Steve noted a year or more ago that it would likely be messy as the new scheme was implemented. It has seemed a good year for me to take a break from the Star scheme and pursue training without concern for the Stars....
Good on ya
"pursue training without concern for the stars…"
IMO, that is the whole point. Not to be complacent, but to strive, improve, and create opportunities. The Star system is not the carrot, it is just the rod holding the line holding the carrot.
Whatever motivates one to seek training and improvement, that is good. The star system is only one.
Karl
Not quite
The old L2 coach cert is still extremely valuable.
With the APEL process, those with an old L2 cert will be able to easily transfer into the new system, and skip some prereqs. A current L2 will be slightly ahead of the new Level 1 (the new L1 is sort of an “old” 1 1/2), and more easily go for the new level 2.
And the old L2 will still be be recognized, as long as one attends regular updates (required of all BCU coaches every 3 years).
Of particular note is how the new coaching scheme is structured. Under the old system, things really started at the L2 level, and was separated into L2 kayak or L2 canoe. These were flatwater, generic skills coaches. Discpline specificity began at L3, into L3sea, L3inland (ww kayak or ww canoe), L3 surf, L3 canoe, etc. If one was a L3 (or above) in one discipline, then one had to repeat the entire coach training sequence for a different discipline.
The new system brings what was once considered “advanced” teaching methodologies (kinesiology, physiology, cognitive learning theory, motor skill learning) into the scheme much earlier. This means that at the new Level 2, one has been taught more advanced teaching/coaching skills. The discipline specificity is now done by completing the necessary Star assessment! For example, although I am certified as an old L4 sea, once I transfer to the new system as a level 2, I will automatically be certified to be coach sea, ww kayak, and canoe (I have a few stars…).
Karl
Exactly
My husband got his L2 last year. Two weeks ago, he observed a 2* Assessment with kayaks/canoes. Besides having him teach, the assessor assessed him for canoe. The husband is an old canoeist going back to Boy Scout days, so he did the strokes and passed. All he needs now is the paperwork to be processed by BCUNA and he’s updated.
He never thought the “old” L2 would become useless under the new system, just that he had to take additional courses to use it. His feelings are that if nurses and teachers have to take Continuing Ed, why shouldn’t coaches.
Thanks for the explanations on the new BCU system. It’s been very clear and concise and, best of all, helpful.
not necessarily a bad thing
after all the training–knowledge–skill are what really matter
jackl–you’re a quite a personality
I’ve been lurking around here for several years continually seeing you give out bad advice and then be very flippant about it. It’s unfortunate.
I have my doubts
the real problem is not that people have to learn some paddling skills in a canoe, but how to get good instructors who not only have to be proficient in both canoeing an kayaking, but also be able to teach both ways of paddling well. This will take much investment in time an equipment, and I wonder how that is gong to be solved.
Back to the original post
Just thinking about the reverse figure 8...
If one compares the assessment syllabus of the old system vs the new system, the new versions are quite brief, and not nearly as specific.
One purpose is to avoid "teaching to the test". The new version allows for greater individual expression; if the candidate maintains safe technique, and can demonstrate many different ways to accomplish a task, that comes more to the point.
The reverse figure 8 is certainly a great task for skill development, and I am sure many coaches will still employ it during training. As for the assessment, in the new 2* it requires "manoeuvring and positioning in and out of a confined space". In the new 3* sea, reverse paddling must be "accurate and efficient...utilising coastal features and other paddlers". And in the new 3* whitewater syllabus...surprise! "reverse over a figure of 8 course".
One could imagine (or if they have taken a new 2* or 3* sea from me) that, given those descriptions, a reverse figure 8 will could be an easy intro compared to what a candidate might actually be asked to do during an assessment :)
Karl
Objective Standards?
“One could imagine (or if they have taken a new 2* or 3* sea from me) that, given those descriptions, a reverse figure 8 will could be an easy intro compared to what a candidate might actually be asked to do during an assessment :)”
Which causes me to make the following unrelated comment. I have heard from time to time one BCU whatever star paddler badmouthing another BCU whatever star paddler on the grounds the other paddler’s whatever star assessor was not as strict/rigid/demanding/skilled/expert as theirs and thus the other paddler’s whatever star award was of dubious validity and certainly not the equal of theirs. Or for some to indicate they deliberately sought/cultivated an assessor known to be “easy”.
I assume like in many things there are regional difference and the process is inherently subjective to some degree. Its just that such comments by some participants in the BCU system don’t do much that is positive and lead some to say, “No thanks.”
things/people to avoid
Ed,
That’s silly. You avoid the BCU because you don’t like the actions/words of certain BCU paddlers?
You know there is good and bad in everything and you know how to sort through that. Pick the instructors that are good - regardless of BCU/ACA or whatever and same for the people you paddle with.
Suz
you’re right
I forget ‘remit’ and RCO. In my dictionary, ‘remit’ is used in another sense. It seems BCU has its own jargon (it seems like you’re the only one to ever use these words–check out the thread). RCO I’ll just have to remember. Sometimes it’s helpful to define a term the first time you give it/use it. A good rule of thumb.
Please don’t try so hard
That is, IMO, willful misinterpretation.
The assessment standards are frequently compared and discussed among coaches, with an eye towards consistency. Personal and regional differences will occur, of course, like anything. But there is awareness of this issue within the BCU.
My statement had more to do with the clear requirements of the new assessments, which are now “real world” tasks. I am certainly not intentionally a hard ass, but the reality is that going backwards under control in the real world can make backwards figure 8s, while reasonable practice, a bit artificial. If someone does not do a backwards figure 8 as well as possible, there is difficulty in giving/receiving feedback, since there may be no clear boundaries for performance. Not so in the real world tasks.
Also note, that I, like many assessors, do not look at assessments as merely passing/failing a test. It is more a series of challenging tasks; the results are about giving good feedback, not really about pass/fail.
Karl
Remit is not jargon
You seem to have a VERY abridged dictionary, very short memory, and narrow vocabulary.
I'm sorry that you cannot remember the thread a short time ago when you asked about 'remit'. Memory loss is a serious problem for which there are often effective tactics and strategies to address if not remedy.
It might be worthwhile consulting a better dictionary. Many of us have dictionaries which contain more than one definition for many words.
I did not say me
I was reporting comments I have heard on both sides from others. I don’t think anyone can say that stuff does not happen and it does not affect how people perceive the people and process. I could say something similar about GP fanatics too. It is an unfortunate reality that might as well be acknowledged and it accepted there are turkeys about.
Personally, I have taken and no doubt will take various standard BCU training sessions specific to Star levels as well as use BCU coaches for privately developed classes/instruction. Think highly, professionally and personally, of the coaches I have met and training received.
ranges of skills…
We've all seem some things that we thought looked "dodgy" and at some time probably all commented on them.
But we have to believe that an assessment was administered within the range of conditions required and we have to take into consideration that maybe that same paddler we look at in wonder about what they're doing, had a good day. Conversely, folks have bad days too and maybe that's when we see them and grumble - when they get caught on those bad days.
It's up to the assessor administering the suss on THAT DAY to determine if someone has fulfilled the requirement in the conditions specified. Which, if you think about it, is just a snapshot in time. Like I said, maybe someone had a good, bordering on great day. How would the assessor know if THAT'S the only day they're seeing that paddler? And maybe that someone is having a bad day today when you're seeing them...how do you know?
I like paddling. I like teaching...I don't think I would like to assess anyone....too much pressure! Talk about a thankless job...you're too hard, too easy....some folks take anything you say far too seriously, some may get upset if they fail but hey, if they passed, then it's all them. Others may have a bonehead moment after they've passed that could later be thought of as reflecting poorly on you. Yuck...no thanks! Hats off to the folks doing the assessing!
I hear what you're saying but believe that because most folks that have been through the training have, within individual limitations/understanding, the same skills/background that there is/was something backing up the system.
On the whole, I think it works. Is it perfect? No. Can it ever be? No. Opinions will vary.
Besides that eel...we bitch, we moan. If you find a way around that human nature, let me know...I could certainly use a lesson!
Overly Defensive?
My comments were not about you, not related to what you said, and were not critical period. They were intended to address an issue I have heard raised often. I meant to convey my opinion that I consider the actions I described by those who profess to be supporters of the BCU organization/system to be unfortunate and counterproductive. OK?
The wrath of Bohemia usually follows
the use of distinctive Brit words like remit and whilst. You can bet he’s cringing now about “dodgy”. Wanna really rattle a stick on his cage?
“KIT!”
Dogmaticus
ducking for cover
There are days…
I’ve known a lot of people who had to take the old 4 star assessment twice because even what they thought were minor pangs of tension created one of their worst days ever, then they came back the second time with a little skill tweaking as well as more comfort with the assessment and did great. I started my recent (and first) attempt at the new 3 star assessment with some anxiety issues I hadn’t had in the memory of my fellow candidate from our local group, and while I got some tough back in the afternoon that bad start just killed the day.
Some paddlers are like that almost all the time, notably better and worse days or higher tension levels when trying something new. I have weekends like that at times - the last one on surf this last spring. The boat had a different paddler in her on Sunday than was there on Saturday and they were both me. It can be easy to think that the assessments are more inconsistent than they really are when you see this stuff.
If there is a problem with the BCU changes, it’s that the coaches haven’t had the same kind of time and experience to talk amongst themselves and get to the kind of well-shared standards that they had gotten to with the old awards. But that will happen - it’ll just take a little time.
sketchy, tea…
skegs are better than rudders…ndk rules and all hail brittania and the bcu.
there…that oughta bring em all out of the woodwork. duck and cover dog.
remember kids…thorazine is administered at the second window. the second window is for thorazine.
that is all.
Let’s not leave out RCO, either. Hey Bo,
you take cream in that tea? when are you and Nystrom getting together.
Dogmaticus