Methinks bohemia just…
... likes catching the same fish over and over again.
I find it curious how they all so smartly queue up for him every time. Must be something innate to (star)fish behavior. Oops, they're called Sea Stars now. Probably renamed by some British Society or other. ;)
It was jargon
The RCO part anyway, Bohemia is correct that this isn’t always the best way to chat in an open room.
Yes, the prior L2 BCU coach cert…
… is certainly worth something in the transition to the new scheme. All I meant was that some major functions of the old L2 – to train and certify 2* paddlers – are now gone.
Furthermore, I wonder how many beginning kayakers on this side of the pond are even interested in canoe training. A few I asked say they aren’t. But maybe they will jump through that hoop for the benefit of starting on the BCU track even if they aren’t interested. After all, when a coach says something is good for you students tend to accept it.
Anybody know how attendance and feedback from students at new-style BCU 2* events are going? That seems to me to be the crucial data here.
Not so…
DJ, Perhaps you should read the new L2 Coach qualifications again. According to the coach (I am not using the 3 letter title for someone who’s, well, you all ought to know by now:)) who assessed my husband, once you pass the canoe segment – and it’s not brain science, btw – a L2 coach can, indeed, do the new 2* assessments.
It’s only a hour in canoe. Surely someone of your skill level in a kayak could pass it.
As for the new reqs making students unwilling to have anything to do with the BCU because of a canoe: Negative thinking and talk from a coach really advances paddle sport, kayaking included.
Did North America even have a vote?
You mention the four bodies as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Does that mean BCU North America didn’t even get a vote? One would think the Brits of all people would have learned from experience what happens when people lack representation in governing bodies – empires fall.
I keep coming back to the fact that regardless of whether canoeing is fun or useful practice, it is not an appropriate standard on which to assess kayaking ability. A backward figure 8 is at least a kayaking skill. Its a good thing the BCU fans don’t run the Department of Motor Vehicles because if they did (and if they were consistent in their logic) they would require driving tests to include motorcycle skills. Motorcycles are fun and good cross training for driving cars, so they ought to be required to pass the car tests, right?
Nope
The chaps have been very clear that it is the BRITISH Canoe Union.
Stop beating a dead horse.
We know how you feel. We respect how you feel. The deed is done but nobody is making you plunk your butt in a canoe for the assessment. As Jim said, it's the BRITISH canoe union and it is what it is. Unlike pre-Revolutionary War America,nobody is making you participate in a system that you clearly have a lot of issues with.
You want an assessment that doesn't involve a canoe or any other water craft as you think cross training is useless? Go with the ACA, or better yet, just paddle. Ultimately, paddling your kayak and paddling it well and safely is all that should matter. Stars and certificates and how you obtain them now, as in the past, is just gravy.