David Train is an exceptional coach. He formed the Canoe Club at Fladbury avillage of 850 population on the banks of the Avon downstream fromStratford. Some seventy people from the village and surrounding area haverepresented Britain in canoeing at world class level. Winning gold with verylittle in the way of resources.What is a Bell Boat?
David Train invented the Bell Boat that hasrevolutionised the way canoeing is taught in Britain. The Bell Boat is avery stable system that is ideal for enabling people of all ages to take thefirst step in canoe sports. It is also an ideal tool for people fromindustry to gain insight into the SOPK and the value of teamwork.
OK... but how are they used to teach Deming's System of Profound Knowledge?
Marshalls Plc has used a pair of BellBoats for developing ideas about the SOPK since 1993. These boats are alsoused by the community and are used frequently by primary and secondary schools. (Three schools areusing them this month - JUL99.)
Marshalls worked with David Train to develop a short course of three and a half hours that covers the following activities:
1. One and a quarter hours on the water in the Bell Boats. This usuallyincludes a race.
2. Three quarters of an hour making a paddle from a kit. Team memberssign each others paddle.
3. A one hour presentation from David Train covering variation,systems, teamwork, theory of knowledge etc.
4. A half hour facilitated exercise to open up the shared learning fromthe event.
The 08JUL99 Event
The British Deming Association Sheffield Group event was organised by BobCable of George Jowitt's. David Train was invited to lead the session andAlex Ross from Marshalls facilitated the sharing of learning. Marshalls PLCsupplied the boats. It was held at Rother Valley Country Park just outsideSheffield during the afternoon of Thursday 8 July 1999. Several guests fromother BDA groups took part.