dcudmore

SRO and UMASS Lowell are co-sponsoring an ACA Coastal IDW/ICE. Cost will be based on the number of participants but expected to be $300 or less. Dates are: Saturday April 16, Sunday April 17, Friday April 22, Saturday April 23 Contact David for more information. 978-844-0965 or david@stillriveroutfitters.com

I found a product review for the Journey on paddling.net... http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=2529

Jackson Kayak has been known for the high quality and design of their whitewater boats for years. Jackson is now entering the light-touring market with their newest boat - the Journey. Still River Outfitters is scheduled to receive one of the first demo boats in New England in the next few weeks. We'll be setting up demo times and locations as soon as we get an exact ship date for the boat to be sent to us. If you're interested in trying the Journey out please e-mail David (david@stillriveroufitters.com) and we'll be sure to get you a chance in the boat. We plan on bringing the boat all over Southern New England to give as many people as possible the chance to try out this new boat. Link to specs: http://www.jacksonkayak.com/kayaksrec/prod...product=journey Thanks!

From reading many of the posts I believe there is some mis-understanding of the new program. The ACA program is an assessment -not a class to teach you to become a leader. If you don't all ready have the majority of the skills to be good at leading trips prior to the ACA program you likely won't pass. The NSPN seems to be teaching a class on trip leading. The ACA is assessing skills. They are not the same thing. They also are not in competition but compliment each other. Liability is always a concern but I can't imagine that the club will be MORE at risk by allowing trip leaders with an ACA accessment over your own training program. Who provides the club's insurance? Again - if you have any questions or concerns please contact me. I'll get the IT to answer any questions that I can not. Your involvement with the ACA's Trip Leading Assessment will only make it a better program. David Cudmore Still River Outfitters, Inc.

Well - I haven't taken either yet so I can't compare them. From my conversations with Mike though, the drive in the ACA was to provide a credible program to assess individuals for trip leading that was short of becoming an instructor. In the past people looking for some sort of nationally recognized program would have to become ACA Instructors. Becoming an instructor is a pretty good time and money commitment and gives you a lot of info you don't need (learning styles, modeling stokes etc.) So - there has been a need for something for people who are just interested in leading trips. David Cudmore Still River Outfitters, Inc.

Here is a message I received from the IT. Maybe it will answer some of your questions. David, the posts are very interesting. In reference to the course/assessment time, the course outline states a minimum of 2 days, which probably will be insufficient, to train someone with no experience to pass the assessment, or exam. The assessor must be an ACA Instructor Trainer, which does mean they have training and experience in assessing capability and knowledge. The content of the TL program was reviewed by the USCG and discussed in detail. Input came from many very well known and respected paddlers and trip leaders, many of whom are indeed professionals. The program provides a risk management benchmark, which will help those willing or obligated to lead trips , be aware of accepted protocols. We cannot avoid inherent risk in paddlesport , so must at least try to do our best to manage them. A person familiar with all the material on the TL course outline, will in most circumstances be considered knowledgeble.The most important attribute of any leader, is and will continue to be, judgement which unfortunately we cannot teach any more than we can teach experience, we can only do our best with role play etc.. Until this program was approved in February 06, the only means of officially reflecting competency, was to become an ACA Instructor, or BCU Coach. Both are still excellent mediums, but as you know, both relatively time consuming and expensive, as well as including skills and knowledge that although valuable are perhaps not necessary to be a competent trip leader, including demonstration quality paddling skills, teaching methods, knowledge of course administration, reporting etc. The Coastal Kayak and River Canoe Committee Chairs had been asking for this course for more than 4 years, but it was not approved until now, due primarily to concerns over liability. There has been a strong and ongoing expressed need for this program from some commercial companies and clubs. Many trips are led by non certified individuals, this type of course/assessment seemed valuable to the BOD as it will help provide a standard for those desiring same. I understand the resistance that a capable and experienced club trip leader might feel to this. The ACA is the only accepted US certifying entity, states such as Maryland require ACA certification as evidence of good risk management and expression of a standard of care. These are only my personal statements and opinions, but I sincerely believe the Trip Leading Assessment is a great program that will benefit the public. The material should be on the ACA website very soon, it was just approved by the ACA insurer. I will be happy to send out the material, other than the exam itself. You can forward this email if you think it can clear some haze. I will be putting on the first TL Assessment in May but we have tested it as guide/leader training a number of times in the past 3 years Best, Mike David Cudmore Still River Outfitters, Inc.

If anyone has any questions about the assessment feel free to contact me. If I can't answer your question(s) I'll contact Mike (the IT) and get the answer(s) from him. I do have the course outlines, etc. I'm not sure it's up on the ACA's site yet. The last time I looked it wasn't. I hope that some one associated with the club takes the assessment (from us or some one else) so you have the knowledge to compare it to what the club is doing. david@stillriveroutfitters.com David Cudmore Still River Outfitters, Inc.