Ok, maybe I over reacted a little, maybe I enjoyed it
But you gotta admit that torchin' a little flame to this thread doesn't necessariy make it ovely "serious", but it will certainly bring more people in to say what might be on their own minds, so maybe a little spark of drama isn't entirely bad. I mean what I said on a wider, figurative scale though it put you in the line of fire (Friendly fire), T-Pot. Its just a trend I've observed for years ("Bro Brah" style over legit substance). So I apologise for my harsh words. The beauty of appologies though is I still got to say what I wanted to, because I think its fair to shed light on other aspects of this discussion now. So if you will all allow me to back paddle just a little on that, maybe we can still ferry this raft into a more productive line of discussion.
Totten, while your response is chock full of wisdom as usual, I have to correct you slightly just so that my thoughts are understood and not misconstrued. Regardless of who has certs and doesn't and who should be teaching what, to me there is a larger issue than us as individuals, because each instructor and instructor trainer has a multiplier effect on how people enter the sport. There is A LOT OF RESPONSIBILIY attached to that. I mean, yall saw Spide Man, didn't ya?
Its not about me getting certs myself so much as the fact that if I want to keep boating, I'm stuck w/ the boaters that come up through the ranks, for better or for worse. So I hope it's gonna largely be better than worse. Does that make sense?
It may come across as though my responses are ego driven. That's one of the things that's frustrating for me because that's not the case. Its more of my own perspective of watching good practices and techniques and approaches to this sport be left by the wayside as they get replaced by carbon copy after carbon copy. Its hard to explain to someone who hasn't been in the sport for 20+ years. I'd just like to know that if people are pursuaded to spend money on instruction that they are getting something real and not just a $500 rubber stamp machine, that's all.
So again, T-pot, I made you the friendly fire, maybe it wasn't fully deserved but you brought it. I'm still just keeping it real here. Thats not to say you shouldn't pursue your passion at all, and get those credentials and apply them. But if this instruction thing takes off, if you end up influencing new comers to the sport, you're gonna be a roll model. So what you have to pass on matters. Thats why the shallow style sh*t and posturing is corrosive. I just want you to know you are (I am, we all are) standing on the Shoulders of Giants.
Thats why there is a sincere need for integrity whenever we are leading beginners, teaching courses, or whatever, to try to replicate these skills, techniques, ethics as faithfully as we can.
And That's why if I was to pursue some certs, hell yeah, I would want to try to learn from the best, such as those Totten mentioned. Who wouldn't? Kent Ford has been boating since the 70's and the Dereimers get rave reviews from practicly everyone I meet who has taken courses from them. The Dojo thing, there is a lot to that as well. The real Dojo can be tapped into on everyday paddling trips, as well, which has always been largely how most people progress and grow as boaters. And having a standardized framework like what the ACA provides is invaluable for that. Dojo, Kung Fu, these sorts of metaphors have a place in this sport for sure. I would just hope that anyone taking on the mantle of instructor would sincerely tap into it all on a genuine level and then be able to pass it on, that's all. Paddling in the Deep End of the river.
So this thread is too serious? I don't think so. I think its a serious topic. Its not a shallow topic, and kayak instruction and contemporary boating culture should not Dwell in the Shallow End of The River. I doubt Yoda would be down w/ the Brown Claw. To be fair, he also wouldn't like half of my responses in these threads
Oh well, none of us are perfect. We all gotta keep it real though, because from time to time the river's gonna do it for us no matter what.