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: 9/30- 10/1 
Location:  Anglers Put-In and Mayo Beach (please call for details)
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 THIS COURSE:


LEVEL 3
  

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 Tom Nickels at
(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,

 

 

 

 

Tom Nickels                                                   

ACA Coastal Kayak Open Water Instructor Trainer Educator

 

 

 

                                                                       

American Canoe Association

Instructor Development Workshop: Level 1 through Level 3

 

Course Outline

Dates: 9/28- 10/1 /10

ACA L-4 Instructor Trainer Educator: Tom Nickels                                                                        
ACA L-3 Instructor Trainer

 

 

 

Day 1                                                                                         Tides H_______ L______

8:30am   Welcome and Overview - Classroom

  _____ Registration requirements, balance due, liability waivers, ACA forms and fees dues             
  ________________Learning style evaluation demo  (optional)

  ________________Introductions
  __________Expectations, different types of certification awards (various circumstances)

  ________________Course outline and schedule

 ________________ Locations of activities

 

9:00am  Staff Presentations - Classroom

_______ ____________                  About the ACA . What’s new at ACA (1st aid / cert. duties)

___________________                    Value of ACA Instructorship

___________________                     Certification requirements and who can teach what

___________________                     Characteristics of an effective instructor (group discussion)

___________________                                           How to give and receive accurate, meaningful feedback and evaluation techniques

___________________                                           Factors that effect the learning process

                                     
___________________ Modern paddling theory & concepts of paddling:  Boat and body control, strokes,
                                         demo “mud / cylinder hand placement concept

 

10:30am  Candidate Presentations- Dry Land Orientation (Impromptu, 3-5 minutes each)  Travel to put-in

________________       Kayak nomenclature

_____________              Parts of the paddle and how to use it

________________       Boat fit and adjustment

________________       Warm up and stretching

______________           PFD's

_______________         Launching (getting in) & Landing (getting out) from shore

________________       Wet exit

________________       Boat carrying and transport

_______________         Paddling accessories

_______________         Pre-trip safety talk

 

12:00pm Lunch break

            

12:45pm   Instructor Trainer Presentation (Lakeside) (discuss e mailed questions)

                                           

 

1:15pm  Instructor Trainer Presentation: Strokes & Maneuvers  (on-water)

___________________                                           sweep

___________________                                           sweep- pivot

___________________                                           Forward (power vs. touring)

___________________                                           Reverse propulsion

___________________                                           Emergency stopping

___________________                                           Draw - in-water recovery

___________________                                           Draw- sculling

___________________                                           High & Low braces

___________________                                           Low Brace turns

___________________                                           Stern Rudder

___________________                                           Sculling applications

 

5pm     Instructor Trainer Presentation (lakeside) (optional)

___________________                                           Rolling Progression

 

5:45pm   Critique of the day and assignment of individual candidate topics; candidates

                Prepare teaching topics, work on presentation outlines.  Fill out Pers. Eval. Sheets

 

Day 2                                                                                  Tides H_______ L______

8:00am    Candidate stroke presentations (on-water) (meet at put-in)

___________________                                           sweep

___________________                                           sweep- pivot

___________________                                           Forward (power vs. touring)

___________________                                           Reverse propulsion

___________________                                           Emergency stopping

___________________                                           Draw - in-water recovery

___________________                                           Draw- sculling

___________________                                           High & Low braces

___________________                                           Low Brace turns

___________________                                           Stern Rudder

___________________                                           Sculling applications

Assessment Module:  students will practice assessing skills of the other candidates

 

 

10:30am    Instructor Trainer Presentation: Rescues (on-water)

___________________                                           Safety and rescue drills ( Help, Huddle, etc.)

___________________                                           Assisted T- rescue standard / foot over version

___________________                                           Solo paddle float re-entry

___________________                                           Eskimo bow rescue (beginnings of)                          Towing

___________________                                           Hand of God

___________________                                           Stirrups

___________________                                           Scoop rescue

 

 

12:00  Videotape Candidate Strokes (on-water)

 

12:45pm  Lunch break and review videotape of candidate strokes (classroom)

 

 

2:00pm  Candidate Presentations: Individual topics (10-15 minutes each)

_______       ___Safety issues and hazards of flat water kayaking
                          _Kayak design and construction
____         _____Boat traffic safe practice, maps, charts, float plans
___________   _Tides, currents and their effects on paddlers
______ _            Wind, waves land masses and their effects on paddlers
_______            _On-water communication and signaling devices
_________      __Hypothermia and hyperthermia: prevention and treatment

______            __Regional hazards and risk management strategies

________         _Kayak paddle fit, hand placement& design                                     

                                                            
    

5:00pm  Instructor Trainer Presentation (classroom)

__________________  View video tape

 

6:00-7:00pm   L1 and L2  Individual evaluations and review of preparation required for Instructor

                         Certification Exam.  Fill out Pers. Eval. Sheets

 

 

Day 3                                                                          Tides H_______ L______
8:00am  Instructor Trainer Presentation (classroom)

___________________              Kayak Navigation: Chart reading and compass practices

___________________                                           VHF Talk

 

10:30am  Lunch break and preparation for afternoon on-water practice

                Drive to put-in, eat on way  (new put-in location)

 

12:00pm  Open waterish paddle (some current and wind)

___________________                                           Teaching of strokes (practice students)

___________________                                           Leadership exercises, etc.
___________________                                          Journey

 

 

5:00pm   Critique of the day . Fill out Pers. Eval. Sheets

 

Day 4                                                                                     Tides H_______ L______  

8:00am   Introductions

                           

                * Course outline and schedule

                * Potential Certification outcome and requirements

 

8:15 Travel to Put-In

 

             

8:30am   Review of effective instructional techniques (on-water)

               Candidate presentation: Strokes & Braces (on-water)     (Practice Students)

___________________                                           sweep

___________________                                           sweep- pivot

___________________                                           Forward (power vs. touring)

___________________                                           Reverse propulsion

___________________                                           Emergency stopping

___________________                                           Draw - in-water recovery

___________________                                           Draw- sculling

___________________                                           High & Low braces

___________________                                           Low Brace turns

___________________                                           Bow Rudder

___________________                                           Stern Rudder
___________________                                           Sculling applications
___________________ Side Slip

10:30 am Videotape candidate strokes (on-water) OPTIONAL

12pm       Break for lunch

 

1pm          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

_____        _______Rip current safety talk

 

 

5:00pm   Review stroke video (classroom)   OPTIONAL

6:00-7:00pm   L-3  Individual evaluations and review of preparation required for Instructor

                         Certification Exam.