"Melissa" wrote in message
...

snip

Even though I feel quite confident with my current skills for the
types of water I paddle on, I know that I could still benefit greatly
from the types of advanced training offered by ACA and BCU, and
someday, I probably will take advantage of one or more of these
programs. The actual certification isn't really the point for me;
just the training...for both the survival skills and just for the fun
of learning these techniques that would be new to me.

- --
Melissa

Hi Melissa, that's cool. I've seen this subject covered on different forums
many times, and sometimes there is an attitude (or it is actually stated)
that it is dangerous and reckless for someone to take up paddling without
first going through formal instructional programs. There are different ways
of learning and obviously formal instruction is one of them that can be
enjoyable and useful for people, but it's not compulsory, in terms of
becoming skills or becoming safe.

Keenan
gokayaking.ca