BCU Training
We had excellent turnout for the BCU training course taught by Jennifer
(Jen) Kleck of Aqua Adventures. Attending were:
- George Miller
- Steve Brown
- Jack Brisley
- James Li
- Don Russell
- Doug Schmitz
- Hugh Keegan
Training was held at Cabrillo beach, inside the harbor on Saturday. The
objective was to train for the BCU 3 star rating while achieving the 1 & 2
star ratings. I really wanted to get the 4 star and so I viewed the 3 star
as an annoying, but necessary step on the way. I must say (with a brit
accent) that the class exceeded my expectations. Rather than boring, the
class was very helpful in both reinforcing some known skills, and in
learning some new ones.
I would like to say that I am a "with it" new millennium kind of guy with no
hang ups about being instructed by a young woman. I would also like to say
that I'm as strong as Arnold Schwarzenegger, handsome as Harrison Ford, and
can paddle like Derek Hutchinson in his prime. Of course, all of these
things are lies. Reality is that I had more than a little trepidation in
being instructed in the use of the "man's boat" by any woman of any vintage,
let alone one who is close to the age of my daughter. My fears proved
unfounded though as Jen handled the class with enough finesse to protect any
fragile middle aged male egos which were in jeopardy.
Jen did a great job of demonstrating all of the necessary moves, coaching us
as to the important elements, and then giving constructive feedback how to
improve. Her form was flawless (as much as I could tell) and that was a big
help in trying to figure out how to do it right.
I learned to do some things that I already know how to do, but with more
precision or to a greater degree. Well, in some cases I didn't so much learn
as was challenged to learn. The 3 star demands a level of precision that
probably can't be mastered in one session.
I learned a couple of completely new things:
- Stern rudder while backing up. Very easy and natural and makes you turn on
a dime.
- Bow rudder with offside lean. I had been doing both to turn, but not at the
same time. They work like a charm together.
Participants varied widely in paddling experience, but it seemed to me that
all were ready for the class and worked & played well together. I noticed
that some would be strong in one maneuver, but weak in another and
visa-versa. We had some deliberate capsizes to practice rescues and some
unplanned ones (I had a few) when things didn't go as planned.
We concentrated on learning, but also had some fun in the class:
- We played a little kayak demolition derby. This is when you paddle as fast
as you can and try to run all the way over your partners boat with your
boat. Great fun if you have a plastic boat. For the record, it's more fun to
run over than to be run over.
- Don demonstrated the mysterious "Greenland static brace". He leans all the
way into the water with paddle extended in the high brace position and just
lays there with his face out of the water. Jack says that Greenland stuff is
a "cult". Looks like some kind of voodoo magic to me.
- Jen demonstrated some hand rolls that looked more natural than most paddle rolls
After the class Vickie joined us and the entire group paddled out of
Cabrillo Beach to White Point and back. It was a good ending to an enjoyable
paddling day with some new (and old) friends.
Steve Brown
Submitted on February 5, 2002