Training—the BCU Way

April-May 2005

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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by Ted Danforth

As I launched into my second day of paddling off the coast of Maine, I realized that I had fallen in love with the sport of sea kayaking. I had always had a yearning for the sea, the thrill of being on open water, the wind and the waves. And sea kayaking provided that physical challenge that had always been a part of my life. By the time our group made it back to the landing on the final day of our three-day excursion, I was well into the planning for my next extended camping and sea kayaking expedition—kayaking the entire coast of Maine!

When my partner, an avid paddler with a far more sensible perspective, got wind of my grand plans, she turned to me with a ‘look’ that forced me to step back. “You want to do what?! On your own? With your experience?”

I re-evaluated, and decided I probably needed a bit more training on the water. My research yielded an event on Tybee Island, Georgia, called the Skills Symposium and British Canoe Union (BCU) Training, organized and sponsored by Sea Kayak Georgia. The Symposium appeared to involve a structured program for training and fun—all on the water. The curriculum was focused around the BCU training agenda, a mixture of training courses and assessments. To the amateur it sounded a little confusing, but hey, five days of instruction and paddling in warm water—what could be better?

BCU Rating Objective 1-Star: Basic introductory skills and safety. 2-Star: Basic flat-water skills, developing and understanding of cause & effect in strokes. 3-Star: Transition to intermediate skill level. Efficient forward paddling, reverse figure 8, draw and recovery strokes. 4-Star: Focus on moving and open water proficiency. Some navigation, ability to roll. 5-Star: Ability to lead others in open seas and potentially difficult open water crossings.

I got in touch with Marsha Henson, program coordinator, who spent a good deal of time with me on the phone explaining the courses and helping me pick out those that would be applicable to my limited experience. I hung up the phone with a full agenda for five days and a bellyfull of excitement. For those unfamiliar with BCU, it’s an international organization well known for its training curriculum. The BCU training and corresponding assessments are widely recognized measures of skill levels in a variety of water conditions.

Before I knew it, I was on the road for my 12-hour trip to the Savannah, Georgia area. When I finally found my way to Tybee Island and the Sea Kayak Georgia shop the day before the Symposium began, I was greeted by the staff there and registered for the upcoming training. Although there were a few folks milling around, the number of boats and activity level seemed rather low compared to what I had expected. By the next morning, it was a different story—kayaks, paddles, sprayskirts, gear bags stuffed to the max, cars with up to several kayaks on top, as far as the eye could see.

The shop was crazy with activity. With over 85 participants and 20 or so instructors, over 50 classes in the schedule and the challenges of wind and weather, it was a bit bewildering. Marsha did a superb and sometimes thankless job as did Dale Williams, the owner of As I launched into my second day of paddling off the coast of Maine, I realized that I had fallen in love with the sport of sea kayaking. I had always had a yearning for the sea, the thrill of being on open water, the wind and the waves. And sea kayaking provided that physical challenge that had always been a part of my life. By the time our group made it back to the landing on the final day of our three-day excursion, I was well into the planning for my next extended camping and sea kayaking expedition—kayaking the entire coast of Maine!

When my partner, an avid paddler with a far more sensible perspective, got wind of my grand plans, she turned to me with a ‘look’ that forced me to step back. “You want to do what?! On your own? With your experience?”

© Photo: Marsha Henson, Sea Kayak Georgia

I re-evaluated, and decided I probably needed a bit more training on the water. My research yielded an event on Tybee Island, Georgia, called the Skills Symposium and British Canoe Union (BCU) Training, organized and sponsored by Sea Kayak Georgia. The Symposium appeared to involve a structured program for training and fun—all on the water. The curriculum was focused around the BCU training agenda, a mixture of training courses and assessments. To the amateur it sounded a little confusing, but hey, five days of instruction and paddling in warm water—what could be better?

I got in touch with Marsha Henson, program coordinator, who spent a good deal of time with me on the phone explaining the courses and helping me pick out those that would be applicable to my limited experience. I hung up the phone with a full agenda for five days and a bellyfull of excitement. For those unfamiliar with BCU, it’s an international organization well known for its training curriculum. The BCU training and corresponding assessments are widely recognized measures of skill levels in a variety of water conditions.

Before I knew it, I was on the road for my 12-hour trip to the Savannah, Georgia area. When I finally found my way to Tybee Island and the Sea Kayak Georgia shop the day before the Symposium began, I was greeted by the staff there and registered for the upcoming training. Although there were a few folks milling around, the number of boats and activity level seemed rather low compared to what I had expected. By the next morning, it was a different story—kayaks, paddles, sprayskirts, gear bags stuffed to the max, cars with up to several kayaks on top, as far as the eye could see.

The shop was crazy with activity. With over 85 participants and 20 or so instructors, over 50 classes in the schedule and the challenges of wind and weather, it was a bit bewildering. Marsha did a superb and sometimes thankless job as did Dale

Williams, the owner of was supposed to do, I sure wasn’t graceful. Even with top notch instructors, like Gordon Brown from Scotland, I could see this was going to be a challenge.

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge for me was to get comfortable with the boat on its edge without going over. My movements were far from fluid. When it came to recovery from a capsize, I couldn’t stay in the kayak. After six hours of pretty intense training, I was ready for the showers.

Day four found me dragging my stiff body and overwhelmed mind down to the water for a second day of 3-Star Training—a glutton for punishment. This time, Tom Bergh and Mel Rice took the rapidly progressing (all but yours truly) gaggle of students out for another day to prepare for the assessment. More of the same, but with a different twist. Winds and currents were more aggressive and the maneuvers were even more of a challenge. At this point, my anxiety was beginning to build. The proficiency that I had expected to appear was still dormant.

Cheri Perry demonstrating her Greenland rolling ability.

But as the day went on, I felt just a tinge of confidence beginning to build. I had now spent three days in the same kayak (a Valley Argonaut—a beautiful boat). I had to admit that, try as I might to find some fault with the equipment, it wasn’t possible. The fault was all mine. I promised myself that if I passed the 3-Star assessment, my now empty roof rack would make the long trip back to Philadelphia with a kayak on top.

Finally, after four days on the water, I was signed up for the 3-Star Assessment. “Not to worry,” said Scottish BCU Coach Jas Hepburn. “Just Paddle and enjoy the water!” Jas and Axel did the honors. To add to the fun, reverse figure eights were performed to a variety of Scottish folk songs and stories from the Isle of Skye.

In the end, I was one of the few who did not make the grade for the 3-Star assessment. “Just too little experience and comfort in the boat. But very, very close,” the instructors explained. Was I disappointed? No doubt. It sure would have been nice to succeed this early in my kayaking career. However, I had a real blast and know that I could not have received training from any better instructors.

To me, the key to the symposium was great people, the best instructors in the world, and a warm welcome for all, no matter what the level of experience. I would do it again in a second! I now know that I need to aim at the 5-Star rating to avoid my partner’s quizzical look when I mention kayaking the Maine coast, but at least I’ve made a start!

© Ted Danforth runs a small environmental consulting company based in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Ted and his partner are often seen paddling locally along the Schuylkill River and have recently returned from a New Zealand trip. They are excited to share their interest with others. tsdanforth@earthlink.net.