ACA Instructor Certification Courses
Expert Sea Kayak Coaching
The American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Training Courses are designed to provide experienced paddlers with the tools needed to share their skills with others.
ACA Certification is a two-part process: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) which is an interactive learning/teaching exercise and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) which is the formal evaluation of skills. Certification is based upon both paddling and teaching skills and is not guaranteed.
The IDW focuses on modeling effective instruction of the skills, knowledge,
and techniques necessary for successful completion of the IDE (which
is primarily an evaluation process). In other words, this first portion
is designed to "teach
you how to teach coastal kayaking". Each candidate will be assigned basic
teaching topics and instruction methods. Each person will then be critiqued
on the basis of his or her presentation skills as well as the knowledge
and skills necessary for certification. At the end of the workshop,
each individual will be advised as to his or her readiness for entry into
the ICE.
______________________________________________________________________
Instructor Criteria: Personal Skills:
Level 1 (2 days ) Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment - Level 1
Level 2 (2 days ) Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment - Level 2
Level 3
(4 days
)
Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment - Level 3
Level 4
(6 days)
Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment - Level 4
Our experience has shown that clients with
personal skills somewhat commensurate with
their coaching
goal levels are most successful.
ACA INSTRUCTOR SKILLS CHECKLIST thanks Roger
_______________________________________________________________________
A successful course outcome is summarized by
S.C.A.R.
S.
Skills, paddling skills
C.
Coaching techniques
A.
Assessment techniques
R.
Rescues and Risk management
_______________________________________________________________
Below is a sample of
some of our initial student communication for
Level 1 - Level 3 Instructor Certifications:
Attached is the first of what I hope will not be to many e-mails from me, Tom Nickels. This is the mail package and you should receive via these attachments the following:
* Tides and Currents blank , please fill in
information for the dates of our course and bring with you
* Who can teach what doc: Please read.
* L1-L3 letter and schedule: Please read and bring
* Equipment list and Expert page: Please read and click into the experts
page
*Skills chart: Please read
* ACA Personal assessment form: we will fill out or discuss daily (I
have copies)
*Questions: Please work on these, through the "Basic Level", Open water
stuff only if want to. Bring answers with you.
*Evaluation: We ask you to fill this out at end of course. Bring with
you so you can make notes as class progresses.
** Strokes Breakdown: Please read and print out to help youi remember
stroke names and parts
As you know this is an "Instructor Certification Course" not a paddling skills course. Yes there is an IDW (instructor development workshop) as part of the course, but the fact remains the students that get the most out of this course and are most successful already have a pretty solid grasp of the "skill sets" required for their award level. I'm certainly not trying to scare anyone away, but just want everyone to be on the "same page" relative to what is expected from the candidates. Should you have a question about your skills please do not hesitate to call me direct at 843 817 3138. I would be more than happy to talk to you.
Thanking you in advance and look forward to seeing you on the water soon.
_______________________________________________________________
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:
Location:
Starting time each day will be at 8:00 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
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.org1. 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)
(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:
ACA L-4 Instructor Trainer Educator: Tom
Nickels
ACA L-3 Instructor Trainer (
Day 1 Tides H_______ L______
8:00am 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
________________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. SheetsDay 2
Liability talk 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
_kb hull____ _Tides, currents and their effects on paddlers
___Ron_ Wind, waves land masses and their effects on paddlers
_______ _On-water communication and signaling devices
___Prozzi_ __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. SheetsDay 3
Tides H_______ L______8:00am Instructor Trainer Presentation (classroom)
___________________ Kayak Navigation: Chart reading and compass practices Coach: sideslip
___________________ VHF Talk bowrudder
Lowbrace turn
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 water
ish paddle (some current and wind)___________________ Teaching of strokes
(practice students)___________________ Leadership exercises, etc.
___________________ Journey
5:00pm Critique of the day .
Fill out Pers. Eval. SheetsDay 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
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_____ _______R
ip current safety talk
5:00pm Review stroke video (classroom)
OPTIONAL6:00-7:00pm L-3 Individual evaluations and review of preparation required for Instructor
Certification Exam.
