Different Methods

Coached a 1 Star course under Asian Detours today. This was my first time coaching for them and I have a feeling my teaching methods are quite different from theirs.

1st, the other instructor tried demonstrating a TX rescue to 18 students while they were not rafted up. On the 2nd try, the raft was so wide those at the ends could hardly see whats going on.

We split up after the demonstration and I took 9 kids with me. Unsure if they saw how the victim was supposed to re-enter the kayak, I did a demonstration again. I split them up into 3 groups and we started on the rescues.
My teaching style is to allow the kids to suffer a bit and experiment with what works instead of just telling them what to do from the start which would eliminate any authority on the rescuers part.
As you can guess, this might take some time...
Well, the other instructor managed to finish everything with her grp by the time I finished my first rotation.
The other instructor helped out with my group after she was done with hers. Perhaps with good intentions. But I felt it kinda messes things up and adds chaos. Especially when she just left her group hanging around.

I noticed the other instructor got the kids to demonstrate the skills one by one. I tried this once during my attachment and found that kids didnt like waiting for their turn to demonstrate the skill. Not only is it boring, it feels alot like school.

Maybe my teaching style is too casual and laidback. Its quite obvious I have a more lassier faire of coaching compared to most other coaches. Probably look like I couldnt care less. But I feel that it should be a chance for the kids to experiment. Most times the kids will tell me they cant do a TX rescue, but leave them alone long enough and they end up emptying the boat of water and performing the rescue.

Well, at the end of the day. Im glad the reluctant boy who didnt want to capsize and found 101 excuses to go back to shore had fun. And its also quite hard to forget the boy that cant stop singing and randomly spouting verses from songs like "baby, come back!"
So I guess there are some redeeming qualities about today.

SIM 1 Star Canoeing Course Flyer

Round 1 Fight!

Helped Cher to coach the first session of a 1 Star course for Bukit Panjang Govt High. The kids were a handful. They consisted of a bunch of Sec 1 boys trying to get into the school canoeing team and 6 NCC boys.
During the swim test, Cher got the boys to take off the lifevest and swim. Higher standard for future competitive canoeists? Non-swimmers were told to stay on shore and weak swimmers were identified and given until the next session to at least be able to swim a short distance.
This is the first time I have seen anyone do a swim test without lifevest. Heard of another incident with Mary when teaching a bunch of future canoe polo players.
Well, I guess it makes sense. These people would be a liability to their team if they cannot swim.

During the lunch break, Cher got me to bring the kids to lunch and there were fights between 2 pairs of boys. Go to lunch also must fight.
There was this annoying boy, most likely a 小霸王 . Who pissed off another boy and got a punch in return.
Then another 2 NCC boys started grabbing each other and I had to pull them apart. All this while walking to the food center in full view of public. So paiseh.

1 Star Course for SIM Students

The SIM Canoeing club will be organising a 1 Star course on the 14th and 15th of March.
Only 20 slots are available. To book a slot, please email sim.canoeing@gmail.com
Updates and more info will be posted on http://simcanoeingclub.blogspot.com/

Water-Venture (Kallang) Course Forecast

March '09 to May '09

March
1 Star
7th & 8th
14th & 15th
21st & 22nd
15th & 29th

2 Star
14th, 15th & 22nd

3 Star Training Course
21st, 22nd, 28th & 29th

April
1 Star
11th & 12th
19th & 26st

2 Star
11th, 12th, 18th

May
1 Star
9th & 10th
23rd & 24th
17th & 31st

2 Star
10th, 16th & 17th

3 Star Training Course
9th, 10th, 16th & 17th

Please Note:

1. Go to http://www.water-venture.org.sg/1179821374073.html for info on cost.
2. All courses are open to public, just providing info
3. Information may be outdated by the time you view this, please check with Water-Venture to confirm

Leisure Paddling

Finally managed to do some leisure paddling, which meant I spent half the time rolling! (:
Kevin who had been posted to Taiwan for his National Service ORD-ed yesterday and asked me to paddle today.
His skills are now rusty from lack of practice. Sorta like when I went to gay beach with Aaron after I POP-ed. Couldnt catch up with him.
So to help him improve and at the same time clock some distance for the 4 Star kayaking course next year, we've sorta decided to paddle round Ubin at least once a week. Hopefully we can actually pull it off.

Busy Busy

I've been so busy with school and trainings that I've been putting aside my Greenland paddle and throwing stick projects.
Got reminded of these uncompleted projects when I saw Jun Bin paddling with a Greenland paddle yesterday. Will start on these projects first thing after my exams.