hahaha… sarcasm right? NM
Forward stroke
I don’t think the forward stroke is any different as taught by BCU, ACA, Brent Reitz, Greg Barton, etc. You sound like a strong paddler but you might want to consider if you could be a more efficient paddler. Or not, if you are satisfied with your technique for your conditions. Whatever.
Me? I’m lazy so I would like to be able to go further, faster, without working as hard.
It’s too bad you had a bad instruction experience. There are bad coaches out there and there are ones that don’t click with certain people in certain situations. Do you think it would have gone better if you had known what to expect up front?
Videos and DVD’s
There is such a thing as DVD’s and books and clubs with good paddlers who are all willing to share their knowledge for free. If you enjoy taking classes then the classes offered by the BCU and ACA can be fun as well a informative. But they arn’t free. However there are many, many ways to learn to become a proficient and safe paddler.
Quite frankly, I don’t like being led around by the nose for 8 hours to learn what could be taught in 2.
Impressive thread…
…yawn…think I need a nap now that I dug through it!
To coin my favorite saying on the PNET boards from none other than Salty - “For gosh sakes, lets go paddling already!!”
Ice9 - thanks for that point about the BCU existing for assessment, not training though. Though most of my instruction has been by BCU 4 and 5* coaches - each using BCU 3* and 4* criteria…without which I might have been taught bad things like “how to harpoon threatening PWC drivers” by an uncertified 'Team Zer0" G-style paddler!
Scott
About extending
What I meant was … once in a while a euro user may want to grab the blade and use the paddle extended to turn their boat in strong winds. I have seen this where a few paddlers could not turn into the wind. I yelled over to them to extend their paddle and they looked at me like I was talking chinese. It never occured to them because no one ever showed them. These people took BCU courses.
I’ve seen (trained) paddlers make repetative tries with a roll and if they just extended that paddle after the first failure, they would have been up rather than swimming.
Yes, ready for combat with your hands in the text book position is great but knowing how to use the paddle fully if actually needed is another.
Coaches are supposed to say why
– Last Updated: Mar-21-07 11:20 AM EST –
The to me very Brit part of the assessments in the BCU is that they are supposed to be as much about providing an opportunity for feedback and as being a "test". In fact, if a BCU coach does let a paddler depart without trying to impart where the problems as well as strengths were, they could fall afoul of the leadership pretty quickly. That's true whether the paddler passed or not, though obviously someone who assessed successfully may be hearing more about strengths. But even then, they might hear about an area where they were OK for that level, but are likely to have problems on the next round if certain things aren't worked on.
It is very common for people to have to assess more than once as the star count goes higher, and since the failure doesn't cost you any money except for any training prior to it, those who do the BCU route usually just regard it as another day of training. It's all good.
It is unfortunate that you were not well-prepared for the process. It sounds as though you might have tried for a 3 star assessment, where there is a heck of a lot of stroke work and edge control - it's a more fussy assessment that way than the others. The reason is a good one - they want the strokes to be rock solid on the flats so you have plenty of head room and control to handle doing the same thing on the big stuff. But it is not usually something that lends itself to a one day turnaround of training and successful assessment because there is so darned much in this one.
By the way, just about no one we know who isn't a coach actually joins the BCU. In North America there is little reason to be a member as well as participate in the training.
NO
I really did not know. If you look at their site it gives no info on just how it work.
??
Is this a question or a crack? You really don’t go to “the BCU”. You go to a BCU coach, who are usually found around kayakingn centers near big water.
It sounds like the person above didn’t have a good understanding of what he was getting into, but if he was at Sweetwater that may be a factor. At large gatherings like this, the people running them are usually so busy that they have to just assume people have knowledge of the BCU if they enroll in those classes.
Maybe I’m wrong
I DON’T KNOW! I’m trying to figure it out.Does the BCU sponsor training session? Or does an another unit (outfitters or shops) actually sponsor the training and hire the BCU certified instructor .
Sorry if I insulted you or BCU that was not my intention.
BCU does not sponsor training…
because BCU Star training courses do not exist in the eyes of the BCU.
The BCU itself does not organize events for instruction, training, assessment, or any thing like that (at least not in the US).
Outfitters and shops organize the events and hire the coaches. Usually the shops that put on the events have a couple of BCU coaches on staff. But the shops do all of the coordinating, setting costs, agenda, and coach selection.
Think of it like the medical board for your state. The medical board sets the standard for people operating in your area and charge a fee for the exam. You can also look up lots of information on the medical boards website, but… the medical board doesn’t train doctors. Doctors train other places usually with other doctors who have passed a board exam. Technically you don’t have to go to a doctor who isn’t board certified. But you know that a board certified doctor has been assessed at a certain standard.
The confusing bits are the symposiums and the way they are named. A lot of companies will have an event like the BCU Nevada Desert Extreme Kayak Symposium. The only official BCU things going on are the Star Assessment, the Coach Training, and the Coach Assessments. The rest of the classes, including Star Trainings, aren’t official BCU classes. BTW, the non-BCU classes are some of the best training and most fun at symposiums. Plus, you have the chance to meet a lot of cool people (and the occasional jerk too). A lot of companies are dropping the BCU from the event names unless they run two events - one with a BCU focus and one without.
Thanks
It is much clearer now. I have read all the thread with much interest. I’m beginning to see the light.
Thanks for your explanation. If the BCU was that clear on there web site they would have something.
Thanks again
Sorry if I was rude
I really wasn’t sure of the question - luckily someone got to it well.
I did not
read it as being rude. i have alway enjoyed reading your posts. I will certainly listen to anyone who is a Maine guide. This whole thread has been very interesting and informative. I can now say that I, at least, understand the process. Do not know if I will aver be good enough to qualify for any BCU rating but think I will try.
Thanks again everyone this has been very educational.
Whoa - not a Maine Guide
Hope you mean someone else… I am not at all that good. (I’d like to be.) We vacation in Maine is all.
ACA & BCU Instructors
– Last Updated: Mar-21-07 6:24 PM EST –
There seems to be more consistency among BCU coaches than ACA instructors. My feeling is that there is a more clearly identified set of standards for BCU coaches.
The ACA seems to be moving slowly towards a more BCU-style approach. They now offer Assessments that are very similar to the BCU Star Tests, e.g., check out ACA Coastal Kayak Level 3 and Level 4:
http://www.americancanoe.org/PDF/CKLevel3.pdf
http://www.americancanoe.org/PDF/CKLevel4.pdf
I agree that, just as with the BCU, it's really the training, not the "badge" that matters. But for those desiring to be instructors, it makes sense for to have an assessment as a prerequisite for enrolling in an Instructor Development Workshop.
Sorry
I must have you confused with someone else. However the rest of my post still applies.
Thanks again
Some thoughts for you
Even though it’s irrelevant to me, it’s ideas your looking for - - so here goes.
BCU website
List all trainer, and all events. As your site proved, there are events going on that are not on the BCU website.
Make your presence know. Show up at events. Not just the big ones, but as many as your group can handle. Example - - There is a race this weekend on the Vermillion River in Ohio. I believe it’s technically an ACA event/fundraiser, but would it hurt to have a couple of your folks there in some kind of BCU gear, or even ask the organizers if you could set up a canopy and serve hot Chocolate at the race end?
In June, there will be an inaugural "grand paddling’ event for a new water trail in Sandusky Ohio - - - Be there - Be seen -
Not sure what Brent would say, but what if you posted events on the getting together page. It’s location delimited, so only ‘Midwest’ would see midwest items. ( all on first page - true)
Maybe you need to search out the smaller venues and events. Make sure your people have some kind of attire that puts the BCU in plain view.
-----THEN - - -
You have to explain why you (BCU members/trainers) feel it’s important to folks to take the sessions. Show them a reason to be interested. Maybe some of your better BCU members (doesn’t have to be trainers) should be out there more in front. Maybe something as simple as "“If your going to go to this event - here is a hat to wear” and “here are some flyers”
Myself - - I’m just trying to get out more than in the past. (Ain’t lookin good this year) It’s guys like myself that maybe should be interested, but are not going to drive one or two states over to an event on their vaction time.
Go to them - don’t make them come to you. (Ok - - half way maybe??)
Thier UK website
Their site in the UK has all sorts of free information and books and videos that the US site does not have. They teach canoeing over their as well and they still teach canoe poling and canoe sailing. Pretty neat stuff.
Too bad no one teaches canoeing anywhere near me in North Carolina. Their are all sorts of kayaking classes available, but not one canoeing class.
You would think - -
They would all be on ‘The same page’ (yeah pun)
How well is the BCU doing in the UK? Are they experiencing the same kinda problems?
BCU in the UK
The advantage that helps prevent alot of these issues over in the UK is the amount of time the system has been around and the amount of people getting involved. I noticed someone called the level 2 star award basically meaningless and yes while you work your way up the pyramid essentially its a good job award but the problem we have here is that everyone wants to skip the base of the pyramid(1 Star, and 2 Star) and go right into the 3 Star. In the UK they have a large base of 1 and 2 Star paddlers that helps make the system work. What happens here is by jumping to the 3 star test or training whichever often we over evaluate our skills and that is why you often find a Coach offering you your 2 Star because you skipped it and didnt really know what they were looking for. I am a 4 Star paddler and an Aspirant Level 2 Coach, I fortunately have the great opportunity of being a college student at Plattsburgh State so I get to work with Steve Maynard everyday. It is my goal to start building up the base of the pyramid and strengthen it so that it will gradually improve the whole way up such as it is in the UK.
As for the feedback comment I was just at the Sweetwater symposium and learning from a fellow coach who gave me feedback to improve my left side before I go for the assessment, and alot of it was fine tuning. The BCU is precise in their evaluations and I believe you have to be in anything you do, it keeps you safe, and allows you to learn and operate at the most effective level, but they are very open-minded as well as most have ACA certs.