> /1.İa jbjbYQYQ $ 33336666666nnnn z ~,RK 6r66rrr66~rJ$n6666~rr66r "!nD.rr 0r r rr6J$J To Whom It May Concern: Although no one has asked my opinion Id like to butt in and speak up in support of Andree Hurley. So who am I and why do I care? I am an Open Water Instructor with the Adaptive Endorsement and I have an outfitting business called Kayak Zaks. I have worked on numerous boards and committees, organizing a NOWR/AW freestyle rodeo, HSU Paddlefest, contributing to a paddling book, community development, and a host of others. My other claims to fame are drawing event T-shirts, being a cardboard kayak queen, and Johnson Outdoors just made me a Necky Pro Paddler. I also have a couple of college degrees, and a handful of other certifications. First of all, in any organization, committee, or board, I think it is healthy to have a variety of talents, opinions, and styles. Otherwise, why have a group and not a king? There should also be dissent among the group on various issues, or else just let someone be king and toss the group. Second, with diversity in mind, as an instructor I have always encouraged students to get exposed to as many other instructors, ITs, ITEs, or coaches as possible. I think the breadth of different teaching styles, tools, and analogies are critical to developing ones own skills and teaching style. This is exactly what I have done and continue to do. As near as I can tell, no two ITs have ever had the same styles, programs, water conditions, or really much of anything else in common. One finds it important to teach a skill a particular way and the next argues the exact opposite! They all have valid arguments too! It was suggested at one point that I become an IT myself. Frankly, Id never be able to keep up with the style of the month that is in vogue at that particular moment with that particular governing body, and heck, my boss doesnt care. I know the ACA wants it all to be, and thinks it is standardized; but sorry, it is not. Third, I am an adaptive instructor and my company takes a lot of special needs groups and individuals paddling every year. In my opinion even if one has all of their body parts and mind intact, we all have different bodies, skills, boats, needs, fears, baggage, and everything else. My personal preference is to learn to teach a skill every which way I possibly can and then teach to the individual student in a way that makes the skill a success for that person. I think it is critical that the outcome of any paddling event end with some success. So what does all this background opinion have to do with Andree Hurley? Andree has been a huge advocate and ambassador for the ACA for many years. When we had no DIF in California she was always willing to find answers and solve problems. For some reason the ACA failed to send me any info, emails, or anything at all for almost three years even though my address and email were always correct. Andree patiently took the time to help with my questions even after we got our own DIF (whom I never was able to reach). I took my original ICE from Andree after taking the IDW elsewhere. Her course included thorough explanations of the process, requirements, and certifications. I had not learned any of those important details at the IDW. Andrees modeling skills and ability to teach modeling to potential instructors are technical, smooth, and easy to understand. Her student/candidate is clear on his/her task during the course, given excellent feedback, and leaves with a definite direction of the work needed to continue to learn and excel. Her courses are fun. She puts the fearful people at ease. She encourages candidates to learn to teach using a variety of teaching styles and tools. She documents everything. She follows procedure. She plays by the rules and puts safety first. She does not just pass a candidate through unless that person can exhibit the necessary paddling and teaching abilities. I left that ICE with a mere Intro to Paddling rating. Basically, I knew how to paddle but not how to teach. I went home with a set of goals and a new set of teaching methods that I had not been previously exposed to; not even in that other IDW. I believe that most people in our industry will agree that I took this advice very seriously and have made a name for myself since leaving Andrees capable ICE and input. I know for a fact that some of you on the board are using teaching tools you learned from me. We all have our own unique style, strengths, and weaknesses. I implore you all to resolve this issue and embrace diversity as an asset! 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