Dear Instructor Candidate,
Thank you for signing up for the upcoming ACA Instructor Certification
program. To become a certified instructor, there are two courses involved:
the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and the
Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
Workshop and Certification information
Date: 9/28/10
Location: Columbia
Island Marina , Washington DC
Starting time each day will be at 8:30 am.
The Instructor Development Workshop
The IDW is an intensive, comprehensive one to three days of learning,
teaching and developing skills and confidence for the Instructor Candidates.
It has been designed to orient you to the teaching standards, policies, and
certification requirements of the American Canoe Association. During the
course, you will be exposed to different teaching methods and will have a
chance to experiment with them while presenting your topics.
The Instructor Trainer (as well as the other candidates) are there to give
you feedback on the process and content of your presentations. We encourage
you to try different teaching methods during the IDW.
Remember that the IDW is not an assessment but rather a
training session.
The Instructor Certification Exam.
Here you will be evaluated on your knowledge, technical skills, modeling
form and leadership abilities. Equally important, for Open Water instructor
candidates, you will be assessed on your comfort level in waves,
rough water and surf. As in the IDW, you will be pre-assigned teaching
topics.
ACA Membership
One of the requirements for this course is that you are a member of the ACA.
Please have a check, money order or cash for $40 or your current
membership card if you are already a member. This will be collected on
Day 1 of the IDW. At the end of the ICE, candidates who successfully
complete the ICE will need to join the Safety, Education and Instruction
Council ($25) to become a participating instructor. You can pay for
everything on the first day with one check if you like.
Weather
The weather is one of the main variables in any outdoor workshop. There is
no way to foresee what Mother Nature will dish out to us. You must be
prepared for any contingency. Dress for the water temperature. If you
don’t own the proper clothing, either buy it or borrow it. Please be
prepared. At the very least, being uncomfortable will hamper your
performance.
What to bring:
* ACA Card or at least know your number (if member)
* Money for incidentals, possibly eating out with the group.
* Checkbook or visa card for SEIC fees
* Sea Kayak with fore and aft bulkheads (or secured flotation bags)
* Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
* Proper fitting spray skirt (Neoprene recommended)
* Paddle
* Paddle float, pump and 14-16 ft. rope (preferably one which floats) - for
stirrup rescues
* Helmet and optional skull cap (for warmth)
* Orienteering Compass and Marine
Deck Mounted Compass if possible
* Any personal safety devices and signaling equipment you may have
* Casual clothing for classroom and evening
* Water bottle and snacks
* Notebook and Pencil/Pen
* Anything you might use for your teaching topics
* Medication if needed
* Bathing suit
* Enthusiasm and a good attitude
* Lunch
Accommodations
Should you be arriving from out of town it is advisable to arrive the night
before if possible so we have a fresh start in the morning. Classes will
start at 8:00 am (see the schedule). Please do not be late for the start of
the classes. It is not fair to the others nor does it set a good example for
you as an Instructor Candidate.
The Instructor Certification Examination is designed to evaluate each
Instructor Candidate regarding their overall skills as an instructor. Each
candidate must be proficient in the following areas for all levels of
certification:
* General knowledge of canoe sport
* A working knowledge of all the ACA courses that you are certified to teach
* Technical knowledge of Coastal Kayaking
* Teaching ability, which includes modeling physical skills in variable
conditions
* People skills, including interpersonal skills with students and
co-instructors
The Instructor Certification Examination outcomes are determined by the
level of instruction you plan to offer and your skill level at the
conclusion of the ICE. In response to numerous instructor and student
requests, the ACA Coastal Kayak Committee has segmented the Coastal Kayaking
Curriculum into three levels of instruction and instructor certification
plus one level of general kayaking as follows:
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING AN INSTRUCTOR
* Be at least 18 years old.
* Successfully complete an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and the
Instructor Certification Exam (ICE)
* Be an ACA member in good standing
* Pay yearly SEIC registration fees
* Demonstrate a general knowledge of canoe sport and the ACA
Additional information:
For details on course registration, logistics, equipment needs,
course curriculum, certification requirements or your readiness to
participate, please call
(843) 817-3138
We’re excited about this course and look forward to a fun and productive workshop. Remember the goal of the IDW/ICE process is to facilitate your growth as an instructor by developing and refining your teaching and paddling skills and/or to evaluate your readiness to teach for the ACA. We hope that each of you will go on to complete the certification process and promote the ACA and safe kayaking.
Sincerely,
ACA Coastal Kayak Open Water
Instructor Trainer Educator
American Canoe Association
Instructor Development Workshop & Exam
Level 1-2
Course Outline
Dates _____________
ACA Instructor Trainer Educator:
Day 1 (Wednesday)
8:30am
Introductions (classroom)
* Registration requirements, balance due, liability waivers, ACA forms and fees
* Introductions, expectations, goals and objectives
* Course outline and schedule
* Resources and locations of activities
* Potential certification outcome and requirements
9:00am
Instructor
Trainer Presentations (classroom)
·
About the ACA
·
Value of ACA
Instructorship
·
Certification
requirements
·
Characteristics of
an effective instructor
·
Effective teaching
techniques & barriers to learning
·
Evaluation and
feedback techniques
·
Developing lesson
plans and topic outlines
10:30am
Candidate Presentations: Dry
land orientation (Impromptu, 3-5 minutes each)
·
Kayak nomenclature
·
Boat fit and
adjustment
·
Parts of the paddle
and how to use it
·
Warm up and
stretching
·
Getting in and out
from shore
·
Wet exit
·
PFD’s
·
Paddling
accessories
·
Boat carrying and
transport
·
Pre trip safety
talk
12:00 pm
Break
for Lunch
12:45pm
Instructor Trainer Presentations
(lakeside)
* Modern paddling theory &
concepts of paddling: Boat and body control, strokes,
resistance factors, maneuvers, etc.
1:15 pm
Instructor Trainer Presentations : Strokes & Braces (on-water)
* Sweeps
* Forward (power vs. touring)
* Reverse
* Stopping
* Draw
* Low braces
* Ruddering turn to paddle
plant
5:00pm
Instructor Trainer Presentations (lakeside)
* Rolling workshop
5:45pm Critique of the day and assignment of individual candidate topics;
candidates’ prepare teaching topics, work on presentation outlines
Day 2 (Thursday)
8:30am
Candidate Presentations (on-water)
* Sweeps
* Forward (power vs. touring)
* Reverse
* Stopping
* Draw
* Low braces
* Ruddering
Videotape candidates strokes (on-water)
11:30am
Break for lunch
12:30pm
Instructor Trainer
Presentations
* Safety and rescue
drills (HELP, Huddle, etc.)
* Assisted T-rescue
* Solo paddle float re-entry
* Re-enter and pump/Scramble
* Stirrups/slings
* Scoop rescue
4:00pm
Instructor Trainer
Presentations (classroom)
* View video tape
* Assessment and correction video
* Liability
6:00pm
Conferences
Updated 11/09
Instruction
- ACA Instruction
- BCU Instruction
- Instructor Certification
- Contract Programs
- Symposium Coaching
- Narling with Nickels
