Ahoy Nautilus, my wife, a Singaporean, and paddler/sailor too, had some things to say to me,,,,
She said, that S'poreans value the certificate , more than the actual ability to perform the skills !
She also said , that Singapore likes to have lists of it's certified paddlers, that reflect the number of qualified paddlers here,,, to show to foreign sport interests !
She also said, too ! ,,,, that by legislating necessity for certification- they reduce exposure to liability, responsibility, and at the same time, discourage, public interest in kayaking as a sport !
In the US , I too had to qualify, similar to the "star certification", in order to rent sea kayaks from our local kayak shop, "Monterey Bay Kayaks", or to even qualify to go on their open ocean, coastal expeditions .
There seems to be NO certification, for those people, who can , purchase a sea kayak, and go paddling, where ever, or when ever , they want !
In the US , circa 1985 , it was discovered that the sea kayaking community had a unique opportunity for self regulation of their sport , as long as it, complied with normal Coast Guard, and marine regulations already on the books .
Since, I qualifyed in 1985, as graduated from a sea kayaking, " Basic Skills " , ( one star ) Intermediate Skills, (two star ), Open Water Skills, roll class , surf zone class, and other qualifications including trip / navigation planning, and execuition, and participated in many coastal and inland extended paddling expeditions, I too feel that it is not so much fun, to do expedition paddling, with un-qualified, un-skilled paddlers, as they, "slow" the whole group progress , down .
Sea Kayaking , is a wonderful sport, and it is my favorite sport !
I have found that there is a need for begining paddlers to have instruction on how to handle and perform in sea kayaks, adequately, and including water safety, in that instruction .
I guess, what I am curious about, is just what is the International accepted skills for sea kayaking, and are Singapore paddlers, with their "star certification", accepted, internationally ?
Douglas , S / V Calliste ,
