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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: Starting time for day 1 will be at 9:00 am. Times for other days
will be 8:30 am unless otherwise announced.
The Instructor
Development Workshop
The IDW is an intensive, comprehensive three (or four) 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 guidelines 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.
We instructors (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. In fact, we insist. So, during the IDW, try to relax. Remember that the IDW is not an assessment but rather a training session.
The Instructor
Certification Exam
The exam is three days of classroom presentations plus on and in-water
activities. One day will be spent in open water setting with the
candidates planning and running the trip. 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 the variable 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. Do not
come unprepared. 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 Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
. Proper fitting spray skirt (Neoprene recommended)
. Paddle (Feathered Euro style) and spare
. Paddle float, pump and 14-16 ft. rope (preferably one which floats) - for stirrup rescues
. Helmet and optional skull cap (for warmth)
. Hikers Compass and Marine Deck Mounted Compass if possible
. Any personal safety devices and signaling equipment you may have
.
Wetsuit or
dry suit
Head, hand and footwear
. Casual clothing for classroom and evening
. Water bottle and snacks
. Notebook, 3 Ring Binder and Pencil/Pen
. Anything you might use for your teaching topics
. Medication if needed
. Bathing suit
. Enthusiasm and a good attitude
. Lunch
Accommodations
It is also advisable to arrive the night before if possible so we have a fresh start in the morning. Classes will start at 8:30 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. One of the things that define professionalism as an ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor is being at least 15 minutes early for your classes. Your students will expect this.
Please contact me as to when you will arrive and where you wish to stay. If you need a kayak and equipment, you may use one of ours if you contact me ahead of time.
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
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
. ACA courses
. Technical knowledge of Coastal Kayaking
. Teaching ability, which includes modeling physical skills in variable conditions
. Technical understanding of coastal kayaking topics and physical skills, and use of standardized terminology
. Safety and logistics, including the ability to organize, to manage groups, and to conduct a course safely and effectively
. 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:
INTRODUCTION TO KAYAKING COURSE (generic to all ACA kayaking disciplines, not a coastal course)
Information about the
IK course:
Content:
Instructors introduce basic safety, basic strokes, and general overview
of all types of kayaking
Site: Suggested conditions for teaching students is flat water protected
from wind and waves with sandy shore or other easy launch site
Equipment: Two or more kayak designs such as whitewater, sit-on-top,
inflatable, or sea kayak
Instructor Candidates who are interested in the Intro to Kayak
Instructor Certification (i.e. due to their involvement with camps or
retailers) must declare their interest in being certified to teach the
Introduction to Paddling Kayak course at the beginning of the ICE.
To certify as an
Instructor for the IK course:
(Basic Kayak Instructor)
A. Candidates must be competent on flat water and be able to perform the
following skills during a 3 day IDW and the first 2 days of the ICE:
. Strokes at the accepted standard in general purpose kayaks
. Deep water rescues - Group management - teaching ability
B. A roll
is not required for certification at the Intro instructor level.
C. Candidates are encouraged to bring whatever kayaks they have.
Instructor Candidates must be aware of the design characteristics and
safety factors associated with a wide range of kayaks. This includes
kayaks such as recreational lake kayaks, whitewater kayaks, touring
kayaks and competition kayaks.
The method for assessing Intro Instructor Candidates is to do a one-hour exercise in the ICE where candidates choose to paddle in at least two of the kayaks listed above on flat water while being observed by the Instructor Trainer. If the Instructor Trainer has previously observed the instructor candidate in these kayaks this exercise is not necessary.
The Coastal Kayak Instructor Candidates who successfully complete the Basic Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification will be deemed capable of teaching the Introduction to Kayaking course as a Basic certified instructor without the one hour exercise.
BASIC COASTAL KAYAKING COURSE
Information about the
Basic Coastal Kayaking course:
Content:
Instructors teach additional strokes, maneuvers, and rescues including
the content listed above
Site: Suggested conditions for teaching students do not exceed 1 foot
waves, 10 knot winds, and no more than 1/2 mile from shore
Equipment: Sea kayaks with flotation or bulkhead in order to do
efficient deep-water rescues
To certify as an Instructor for the Basic Coastal Kayaking course: (Basic Coastal Kayak Instructor)
-
Candidates must be competent in up to 2 foot
waves and 15 knot winds and able to perform the following skills
during a 3 day IDW and the first 2 days of the ICE:
* Strokes at the accepted standard in sea kayaks
* Deep water rescues
* Group management
* Overall teaching abilities - One roll is required for certification at the Basic instructor level.
OPEN WATER COASTAL KAYAKING COURSE
Information about the Open Water Coastal Kayaking course:
Content:
Building off the Basic Coastal curriculum above, Instructor Candidates
teach rescues, introductory surfing, and tidal currents courses,
on-water navigation, paddling in wind and waves.
Site: Suggested conditions for teaching students do not exceed 2
foot waves, 15 knot winds, and no more than 1 mile from shore. Desirable
conditions include a protected launch site with access to more open
water and variable conditions.
Equipment: Sea kayaks with flotation or bulkhead in order to do
efficient deep-water rescues
To certify as an
Instructor for the Open Water Coastal Kayaking course: (Open Water Kayak Instructor)
Open Water Instructor candidates should have a broad range of
experiences in coastal kayaking before attending the ICW. To certify,
candidates must be competent paddling up to 5-foot seas, winds up to 25
knots, surf up to 3 feet, and tidal currents up to 5 knots.
Environmental conditions at the IDW/ ICE sites will vary and may or may
not include all of the above.
The Instructor Trainers will conduct an Open Water Training Exercise in the IDW and the ICE. In the IDW there will be a three-hour minimum time allowance for the Instructor Candidates to take a leadership role in an open water setting. Typical leadership roles include group management while navigating from one spot to another, directing rescue practice, responding to unexpected scenarios, and dealing with short crossings where boat traffic is present. In an ICE less direction will be given to the Instructor Candidates as they are put in charge of various portions of the Open Water Training Exercise. Open Water Instructor Candidates must be able to perform the following skills in an open water setting no matter where the IDW and ICE are held:
. Advanced strokes at the accepted proficiency standard
. Three (3) consecutive rolls within one minute with at least one (1) from a non-set-up position to demonstrate the paddler is able to roll in variable conditions
. Advanced deep water rescues and towing off shore
. Paddling in wind and waves in an open water setting as part of a tour where leadership, group management, and navigation abilities are applied.
. Overall teaching abilities in classroom, dry land outdoors, and on-water settings.
. Demonstrate working knowledge and ability to teach a variety of topics listed in IDW and ICE outlines.
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
PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
. Must be a competent and effective instructor with both classroom and on-water skills
. Knowledgeable and adept at using logical learning progressions and a variety of teaching styles
. Show group awareness and control at all times
. Solid basic technical skills; strokes, braces, rescues, etc., and the ability to effectively model techniques
. Practice and demonstrate safe paddling practices
. Demonstrate leadership qualities and good instructor judgment
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
. Teach at least two courses that meet ACA standards within the four-year certification period and report the courses to the national office. Maintain active membership in both the ACA and SEIC
. Attend, within the tour year workshop period, at least one of the following:
- Instructor Methods Workshop
- Adaptive Paddling Workshop
- Instructor Development Workshop (assisting qualifies)
- Instructor Certification Exam (assisting qualifies)
PLEASE PRINT OUT AND BRING TO CLASS THE FOLLOWING FROM THE ACA WEB SITE AT: www.acanet.org
1.
Instructor Responsibilities
2. Policy Manual
3. Insurance Guidelines
4. Waivers
5. Incident Reporting Instructions/Emergency Procedures
6. Class Registration and Reporting Forms (on line version)
PLEASE REVIEW (OR PRINT OUT) THE FOLLOWING:
1. SEIC
roster
2. SEI News
3. ACA summary Board, EIC, staff
4. Division organization
5. SEI Bylaws
6. Certification Flow Chart for discipline
The above may be found at
www.acanet.org
Additional
information:
For details on course registration, logistics, equipment needs,
etc., please call me at 843-588-0041.
We’re excited about this course and look forward to a fun and productive workshop. Remember the goal of the IDW/ICE/ICW 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 Instructor Trainer (candidate)
American Canoe Association
Instructor Development Workshop: Open Water
Course Outline
Dates: October 2, 2006
ACA Instructor Trainer Educator:
ACA Instructor Trainer:
ACA Instructor Trainer (Tr): 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
___________________ How to give and receive accurate, meaningful feedback and evaluation techniques
___________________ Factors that effect the learning process
___________________ Characteristics of an effective instructor
___________________ Developing lesson plans and topic outlines
___________________ Certification requirements
___________________ About the ACA
___________________ Value of ACA Instructorship
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 & Braces (on-water)
___________________ sweep- forward
___________________ sweep- reverse
___________________ sweep- pivot
___________________ Forward (power vs. touring
___________________ Reverse propulsion
___________________ Emergency stopping
___________________ Draw - in-water recovery
___________________ Draw- sculling
___________________ High & Low braces
___________________ Side-Slip
___________________ Low Brace turns
___________________ Bow Rudder
___________________ 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
8:30am Candidate stroke presentations (on-water)
___________________ Sweeps
___________________ Forward (power vs. touring)
___________________ Reverse
___________________ Stopping
___________________ Draw
___________________ High & low braces
___________________ Braces underway
___________________ Stationary draw
___________________ Sculling applications
11:00am 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
___________________ 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
Videotape Candidate Strokes (on-water)
12:45pm Lunch break and review videotape of candidate strokes (classroom)
2:00pm Instructor Trainer Presentation (classroom)
__________________ ACA Coastal Kayak Curriculum
2:30pm Candidate Presentations: Individual topics (10-15 minutes each)
_________________History of coastal kayaking
_________________Trip planning & on-water organization
strategies
_________________On-water communication and signaling devices
_________________Warm water paddling
andhyperthermia
_________________Regional hazards and risk management strategies
_________________Kayak design and construction
_________________Rules of the nautical road and paddling in
traffic
______________Tides, currents and their effects on
paddlers
_________________Cold water paddling and hypothermia
_____________Wind, waves land masses and their effects on
paddlers
5:00pm Instructor Trainer Presentation (classroom)
__________________ Assessment and correction video
5:30pm Critique of the day
Day 3 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
___________________ Beach dynamics and surf tactics
___________________ Leadership exercises, etc.
5:00pm Critique of the day and overall workshop. Course evaluations given to participants
5:15-8:00pm Individual evaluations and review of preparation required for Instructor
Certification Exam.
Note: Participants are reminded that the above schedule is flexible and subject to change at any time
during the
course.
Instructor Certification Exam: Open Water
Course Outline
Dates: October 2,
2006
ACA Instructor
Trainer Educator:
ACA Instructor Trainer:
ACA Instructor Trainer (Tr): Tom Nickels
Day 1
8:00am 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
* Evaluation and feedback
9:30am Review of effective instructional techniques (on-water)
Candidate presentation: Strokes & Braces (on-water)
___________________Sweeps
___________________Forward (power vs. touring)
___________________Reverse
___________________Stopping
___________________Draw
___________________High & low braces
___________________Sculling applications
___________________Stationary strokes
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 safety talk
3:30 pm Videotape candidate strokes (on-water)
5:00pm Review stroke video (classroom)
Day 2
8:00am Candidate Presentations (classroom): Individual topics
___________________Kayak navigation (pt 1) 15 min.
___________________Kayak navigation (pt 2) 15 min.
___________________Boat design 10 min.
___________________Tides and currents 15 min.
___________________Rules of the nautical road 10 min.
___________________History of kayaking 10 min.
___________________Group paddling and communication 10 min.
___________________Dressing for paddling 10 min.
___________________Signaling and safety devices 15 min.
___________________Wind / waves and effect on paddlers 15 min.
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Candidate presentations: Rescues (on-water)
___________________Assisted T-rescue
___________________Re-enter and pump
___________________Solo paddle float re-entry
___________________Eskimo rescue
___________________Re-enter and roll
___________________Scoop rescue
___________________Stirrups
___________________HI rescue
___________________All-in
___________________Towing
Day 3
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