Dear Instructor Candidate,

Thank you for requesting information on the 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 information
Date: 10/1, 10/2, 10/3/10
Location:  Ocean City, MD
Starting time each day will be at 8:30 am.


The Instructor Development Workshop
The IDW is an intensive, comprehensive 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
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4

 

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

PLEASE PRINT OUT AND BRING TO CLASS THE FOLLOWING FROM THE ACA WEB SITE AT: www.americancanoe.org

       1.   Instructor Responsibilities
       2.   S.E.I.C. Policy Manual
       3.   Insurance Guidelines
       4.   Waivers
       5.   Incident Reporting Instructions/Emergency Procedures
       6.   Class Registration and Reporting Forms (on line version)



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: Open Water

 

Course Outline

Dates: 10/1, 10/2, 10/3/10

ACA Instructor Trainer Educator: Tom Nickels

 

Day 1

8:30am   Welcome and Overview - 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

 

9:00am  Staff Presentations - Classroom

_______ ____________                                          About the ACA

___________________                                           Value of ACA Instructorship

___________________                                           Certification requirements

___________________                                           Characteristics of an effective instructor

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

___________________                                           Factors that effect the learning process

___________________                                           Developing lesson plans and topic outlines

 

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

________________       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)

___________________                                           Modern paddling theory & concepts of paddling:  Boat and body control, strokes, resistance factors

 

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)

___________________                                           Rolling Progression

 

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

                Prepare teaching topics, work on presentation outlines.

 

Day 2

8:00am    Candidate stroke presentations (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

 

 

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)

___________________                                           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)

__________________  Assessment and correction video

 

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

                         Certification Exam
                is last 3 days

 

 

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

___________________                                           Kayak Navigation: Chart reading and land based practices

___________________                                           Kayak Navigation: Magnetic information and sea based practices

 

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

                Drive to put-in, eat on way

 

12:00pm  Open water paddle (Ocean)

___________________                                           Beach dynamics and surf tactics

___________________                                           Leadership exercises, etc.

5:00pm   Critique of the day

 

Day 4

8:00am   Introductions

                           

                * Course outline and schedule

                * Potential Certification outcome and requirements

 

8:15 Travel to Ocean

 

             

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

               Candidate presentation: Strokes & Braces (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

___________________                                           Bow Rudder

___________________                                           Stern Rudder
___________________                                           Sculling applications
___________________ Side Slip

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

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)

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

                         Certification Exam.

 

 

 

 

Day 5   ( Ocean )

8:00am Candidate Presentations (classroom): Individual topics

     ___________________History of kayaking  10 min.
     _____        __________Boat design  10 min

 ______        _________Dressing for paddling 10 min.

 ___________________Wind / waves and effect on paddlers 15 min
     ______      _________Group paddling and communication 10 min.

 ___________________Signaling and safety devices 15 min.

 ___________________Kayak navigation (pt 1)  15 min. chart reading and sea based practices

  _______        _______Tides and currents 15 min.

 ___________________Rules of the nautical road  10 min.

 

 

 

12:00 pm     Lunch

 

1:00 pm    Candidate presentations: Rescues (on-water)

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

___________________                                           Assisted T- rescue standard / foot over version

___________________                                           Solo paddle float re-entry

___________________                                           Re-enter and pump

___________________                                           Eskimo bow rescue

___________________                                           Eskimo paddle shaft rescue

___________________                                           Eskimo roll

___________________                                           Re-enter and roll

___________________                                           All-in

___________________                                           Hand of God

___________________                                           Stirrups

___________________                                           Scoop rescue

___________________                Towing

Day 6

8:00 am      Staff presentations (classroom)

 

___________________Certification maintenance

___________________ACA Coastal Kayak Curriculum

___________________Liability

 

   9:30am       Leave for open water paddle

 

   3:30pm       Critique of day and overall workshop. Course evaluations given to participants

 

   5:00-6:00pm    Individual evaluations