General Concepts

 

Tell me, and I will forget.

Show me, and I may remember.

Involve me, and I will understand.

-Confucius 450 BC

 

INTRODUCTION

Keeping Room in the “Toolbox”

You are a kayak instructor, sharing your love for the sport. You continue to improve your teaching and paddling skills.

This workbook is designed to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the basic concepts that have lead to the success of many ACA Instructors. In addition ,it outlines the teaching concepts and progressions we expect you to utilize.

 

To teach kayaking is to pass on a tradition of excellence.

 

Keeping it Simple

Teaching the one ball way

 

SIMPLICITY

Cutting Out The Technical Jargon

Catch, power, recovery, bow, stern, rocker, profile, parting lines, beam, propulsion, 45 degree shaft angle, verticality, spin momentum,

blah, blah, blah… How much terminology and technical jargon can beginners digest in one lesson? Conversely, by pairing a specific skill with a widely understood concept, you set your student up for a powerful self-discovery. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Technical terminology is valuable AFTER the student has discovered the concept. And of course, there will always be the student who craves it all at once. For this type of learner, try to sprinkle the jargon and terminology

here and there. Remember 95% of our students are committed to a long-term progression with us. Timing is everything. In addition, consider the “one ball” teaching method. A student of juggling is more successful

if he or she starts with one ball, gradually adding a second, and then a

third later on. Most people will drop all the balls if they start with three or more. It’s hard to see when a student is “dropping balls” in their head while learning to kayak. Dropping them all is very frustrating.

Exercise: Make a list of five analogies that relates a kayaking skill or movement to something commonly understood. (Kneeing yourself in the ear for hip snap,for example.)

 

TEACH WHAT’S COUNTER-INTUITIVE

Building A Solid Foundation

 

Many kayaking skills are counter-intuitive. Using your hips and head to right the kayak is but one example. A classic example of over-emphasizing an intuitive skill is “smacking” the water with the power face in the high brace. Smacking is so intuitive, students almost always over-emphasize this movement at the expense of the other components of the brace.

The goal of  beginner lessons are to build a solid foundation . By focusing on key components that are consistent across multiple kayak maneuvers,

your students will grasp skills quickly. In general, emphasizing the use of core muscles and the lower body vs. exact placement of the paddle is a sure way to get your students to maneuver their kayak more efficiently.

 

MULTI-LEVEL TEACHING

Your Role as An Equalizer

 

Despite the best lesson outline, every class is unique. This keeps it challenging and fun for us all. A highly skilled instructor can teach on multiple levels, with multiple students, simultaneously. Think of your role as that of an equalizer. Each student can be engaged at his or her own level while the instructor weaves common threads among all in the group.

Spreading your attention evenly is another important element of effective teaching in a group setting. Occasionally, a student’s rapid progress or monopolizing nature might create the potential for an imbalance in the energy you give to other students. Be mindful to make your “rounds” more frequently and keep everyone feeling challenged and attended to.

 

TEACH IN SOUND BITES

You’ve Got 30 Seconds

TV commercials are only thirty seconds because that is the average attention span of a human being. Generally, humans don’t have the patience to listen. For many of us, we are waiting for a chance to express ourselves, even when we should be listening. One of the biggest challenges for any instructor in any field of education is to learn how to express concepts in a way that keeps the student’s attention. (And,

in addition to having a short attention span, most beginner kayakers are also easily confused or overwhelmed.) There are many “tools” for the toolbox in keeping your students attention:

 Introduce skills and concepts in the most simplistic terms.

 Get the students doing a self-discovery exercise as soon as possible

 Use humor

 Ask questions

 Use the students first name

 Teach the “one ball” way

Exercise: Teach your favorite paddling stroke without speaking.

 

Group Management

Comfort plus safety equals learning

 

SAFETY AWARENESS

 

Beginner kayakers entrust us to mitigate their exposure to risk as much as possible. As professionals kayak instructors, we must all operate in a constant state of hyper awareness.

 

 Politely warn students of vehicular traffic hazards and keep them clear of them.

 Politely warn students of glass and debris on the ground and make sure they keep their footwear on at all times

 Demonstrate assisted launching and landing techniques at all basic lessons and advise this technique until students learn their balance.

 Never turn your back to your students or allow them to travel out of your

“area of influence”.

 Be fully aware of the exact nature of any medical conditions of students in your group.

 

As expert kayakers, we can sometimes forget just how overwhelming the experience of learning to kayak among a group of strangers can be, especially for a beginner. There is an art to reading your student’s

expressions and actions to glean their physical and mental comfort levels. Paying close attention to each individual’s body language and facial expression is very important. Of course, there are also obvious signs like

laughing, crying, shivering, or sweating. In addition to paying attention, creating a space where your students can feel comfortable

expressing themselves is key. A comfortable student has very few barriers

to learning. Perhaps the greatest challenge of all are the individuals who show absolutely no signs of discomfort. (Some even act exactly the opposite of their feelings.) In this scenario, a good individual rapport with the student can go a long way.

STUDENT COMFORT

Monitoring Your Student’s Expressions

 

Professionalism and Presence

Be organized, be heard,  be clear

 

Inspiring Your Students

Wonder Woman, Superman, The Green Lantern, and yes, you! It may be hard to visualize but to the new paddler, you are a superhero. Every minute while in your presence, your students are captivated and they are studying your every move.  Once you’ve come down from the high of this realization, remember that you are there to make them feel absolutely zero intimidation.

You’re presence on the water is an inspiration to your students and uniquely you. As instructors, we all have our own style of teaching and communication. Here are the basics

 Only wear sunglasses after building a good rapport with all of your students

 Speak up and speak clearly at all times

 Always paddle with great form in the presence of your students

 Remember and use all of your student’s first names

 Smile as much as possible