My Journey of become a kayaker and kayaking Trainer! --------------------------------------------------------
Before i became a kayaker, i was a distance runner (Devoted runner), since i 16 yrs old .
When i worked in formal company on 1997. I saw the company notice board abt the kayaking expedition to batam but pre-requsite a Novice kayaking awards. So i'm interested and took up the course cum expedition.
ok heres my very 1st Over Sea expedition.
After my Novice kayaking course, we paddled to the batam was frm kallang sea sports club to east coast, then cut across the big international channel and reached batam water. When we crossed the international channel the wave was big, a few boat capsize together and a couples of participants were got sea motion sick. But i and my partner was stable, I still remb her name Beanard (sound is quite similar as my name: Bernard) =D
At that time the water of indonasia, it was clean and cleared and 1st time of my life saw lots of coral and marine stuff. It was a smooth journey, until almost arrived the batam jetty. Me and my partner capsize, we were been asked to towed back to shore for ourself. [ So danger =( ].
We were stayed there for 3 days 2 nite at sunset resort. The breakfast and dinner was nice. On the final day, we paddled back to singapore. Start frm same journey, We set off at early in the morn, it took us for 1 day trip. When arrived back to club, i was feel the sence of achievement and decided to continue for my further kayaking training.
After my intermidate course proceed to Sea proficiency rite away, lots of advance skills and i face lots of difficulties. At tat time my kayaking trainer expected us to discovered our self, unlike our time now, we use coaching model to coach our student.
I took abt 6mths to polished my skills, keep asking trainer to guide me. Frm there i met my sifu, he coach me everything, hes a really strict to my skills. I went for my Sea prof assesment, finally i passed with a flying colours.
My sifu he recommend me to the club, to be a Asst kayaking coach and the club accepted me, but need to do attachment 100 hrs. And that time i also done my 100 hrs assesment, but no one can certifield me and my sifu went to oversea.
After that i stopped for 2 yrs and went for my kayak racing and studies, At tat time the BCU came in for our kayaking coaching conversion. I missed the kayak conversion too, coz the club forgot to informed me that a conversion.
Until i knew it was too late, so i wannered around for abt 2yrs until yr 2000. Finally i found tats a 3star course at changi ssc. So i call up them. After 2days Meng teck called me and told me that the 3star coz is Onz. My class was all super onz and my trainer is Richard (Lvl 4 kayakin coach) My 3star assesor was mengteck, the way he take assesment is like a sharing session. He asses our skills at the same time he polished our skills too. Frm that time my eskimo roll and my skills all got boom-proof. =)
After that i went to the coaching coz, at yr 2001! It was conducted by Changi ssc too. Same coach Richard again! After that i went for my coaching Attachment, took me abt one yr to go for my coaching assesment.
My L1 coaching assesment wasn't good, nver arrange the course properly. Most of the student caught by fishing lines, just because of the wave. haha unlucky day. =)
Finally i cleared my L1 coaching assesment on 11 sep 2003!, That time i one person conducted a 1star with 16 person. My assesor also my asistance, he is a strict assesor too, and my chief coach shocked that i can cleared his assesment. =)
Time fly, 3 yrs coming soon le. Wat i hope now is avail to shared my skill and knowledge to my student and tudi. And i hope that i can cleared my Lvel 2 coaching assesment too.
To my club trainers and friends, thx for been patience with me. W.o u all i wont be here today, especially my chief coach mengteck. =)
