As a former school teacher one might think I'd be a natural to teach people kayaking skills. I don't think so! There are a number of reasons why this is so. Firstly, I have no certification to paddle, let alone teach paddling skills. I consider myself a self-taught intermediate paddler who relies more on good risk management abilities than solid paddling skills. If it looks iffy, I stay on the beach!
But what about teaching intermediate skills, things like rescues, basic rolls, safety gear, navigation skills and so on? Again I'm trained like many of you, but not certified. Lots of folks are ACA and/or BCU certified and they don't seem to be in short supply at the various kayaking events I've attended. I'm happy to let them do the job. The ones I've worked with have all been helpful.
Well, what about teaching people how to go on paddling trips? It's true I've done some wilderness paddling and more recently a fair amount of car-top kayaking trips. This area might be one I'd feel comfortable talking about, but here again, most people have their own ideas about how they like to travel by kayak. It isn't really rocket science. You pack what you think you'll need, you travel to the launch site and off you go. Then you learn. There'll be things you forgot at home or don't even own you'll want to bring along next time and other things you find you never used and can't believe you bothered bringing. Your next outing will be trimmer and sleeker.
So you won't find me as a coach at your next paddling event. I'm more likely to be found in the class of splashers and bashers, trying to rescue myself! That said, however, I firmly believe we are all teachers and learners. We all have things to share and learn and it's important to do both. If you're just there only because you're the 'expert' or the 'beginner' you're mistaken. You must always be both. You can never learn it all and you're never too innocent to help someone else!
Photo credit: Val Rice
2 comments:
I've had very little formal instrucution in canoeing and kayaking, which isn't neccessarily a good or a bad thing. The few formal courses I've done were great; they taught me some basic skills and helped build confidence. Most of what I've learned came either thru experience, or else from informal 'instruction' while paddling with others who are more accomplished than I...(thousands and thousands of THEM out there...
While I've done very little 'formnal' teaching around the water (summer camp leader stuff), Chris and I have introduced a lot of people to paddling over the years. Most enjoyed it as a one-off or occasional experience, but a handful have become interested in paddling, with some also being bitten by the kayak building bug. Gotta admit that we get a lot of pleasure out of introducing someone to the water, or getting friends who would otherwise not go paddling out for the odd spin. And I get an absolutely huge kick out of watching someone launch and paddle their first-built S&G VOLKSKAYAK kayak...
Great post, Michael. I know individuals who tout themselves as educatiors and couldn't teach a fish to swim. Some are so into educational tactics while knowing little about their subject. Others are just the opposite. I think the only 2 important things are to know what you are about (and know what you don't know) and to have a passion to pass that on.
Post a Comment