USCG Project Experts Launch National Human Propelled Boat Standards Survey
Posted: 08/04/2013
By: Thomas O'Keefe
A team of experts assembled with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) grant funding seeks national content validation of a set of entry level, skill-based Human (manually propelled) boat operation standards. This is your opportunity to impact the development of recreational paddling and rowing (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, etc.) standards across the country by completing this on-line survey.
WHAT: The National On-Water Standards Team, funded by USCG grants, is seeking input from
recreational paddling and rowing educators across the nation on a first-round set of standards to
be used to assess the performance of Human propelled boating skills at the entry level. Following
the survey, the standards will be updated to reflect input from paddlers and rowers nationwide
and eventually validated and updated though a national field-testing program.
WHEN: The survey will be conducted July 31 – August 30, 2013.
WHO: Recreational paddling and rowing enthusiasts and especially those with experience in
On-Water teaching or training are urged to participate in an on-line survey designed to collect
feedback on the content of these entry-level, skill-based standards for manually propelled
boating.
WHY: By completing this survey you will have a voice in the design of a national set of HUMAN
boating standards for recreational paddlers and rowers in the US. This effort is part of the US
Coast Guard’s (USCG) vision of a National System of Standards for Recreational Boat
Operation – that will organize both classroom and on-water standards within a comprehensive
system of recreational boating education. The system will address standards for three domains of
recreational boating: SAIL, POWER and HUMAN propulsion.
US Sailing has been awarded grant funding from the U.S. Coast Guard to facilitate a
consensus-based process by which a team of diverse SMEs from across the recreational boating
community develop entry level, skill-based performance standards for recreational boat operation.
An objective grant facilitator is designing and managing the collaborative development of SAIL,
POWER and HUMAN propelled standards that will eventually be recognized (not mandated) by the US
Coast Guard for incorporation in recreational boating training programs nationwide.
CONTACT: For more information, please contact K. Brian Dorval at 716-994-2842 or
brian@thinkfirstserve.com
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115
E-mail: okeefe@americanwhitewater.org
Phone: 425-417-9012
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