Instructor certification is broken down into two components:
The Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and the Instructor Certification Evaluation (ICE).
The IDW is taken first so that candidates can absorb, practice
and refine the lessons learned. Later the candidates can be evaluated in an ICE.
While an individual does not accomplish both simultaneously, the IDW and the ICE
occur as one group. Also, students from different levels will be
attending the workshop and evaluation at the same time.
The Instructor Development Workshop (IDW):
The Intro, Basic and Open Water Coastal
Kayak IDW is designed to be a stand-alone learning experience that will help
prepare you for the Instructor Certification Evaluation. Experienced paddlers
who do not desire certification are welcome to take advantage of this excellent
training opportunity. The focus of the workshop is on the refinement of teaching
and paddling skills and on expanding your knowledge of sea kayaking and paddle
sports in general. You will be given instruction on all strokes and maneuvers
that you later will be expected to teach if you elect to become certified. This
workshop (IDW) should provide you with a benchmark from which to evaluate the level of
your own skill and knowledge, and help you to identify those areas where you
need work before your certification evaluation.
Prerequisites (available
at Sweetwater Kayaks): - Candidates for Intro to Coastal Kayak should have
training equal to ACA Level 1 and 2 - Candidates for Basic Coastal Kayak should
have training equal to ACA Level 1 through 3 - Candidates for Open Water should
have training equal to ACA Level 1 through 4
The Instructor Certification Evaluation
The Intro, Basic and Open Water
Coastal Kayak ICE is designed to evaluate the instructor candidate regarding
their skills as an instructor at the level of their certification. Each
candidate must be proficient in:
1) a general knowledge of paddle
sport; to include the technical knowledge of coastal kayaking and equipment with
elements of history and safety
2) teaching ability; which includes
the appropriate application of interpersonal skills, task/group management,
modeling and feed-back skills, the use of standardized terminology, technical
understanding and the ability to break down skills and concepts into their
component parts;
3) on-water skills, to include demonstrated
proficiency in maneuvers, strokes, braces, rescues, towing and the Eskimo roll,
an acceptable level of comfort in variable conditions and an incorporation of
the skills you will teach into your own paddling style.
Prerequisites:
all levels must have taken an Instructor Development
Workshop
Although not required by the ACA, we recommend ACA Level 1
through 4 assessment.(offered at Sweetwater Kayaks)
Participant Responsibilities
You will need to do some academic
preparation. You will be assigned academic topics for classroom, on-water
and on-land presentations. A list of suggested reference sources for this
information will be provided in your course packet. Your greatest
challenge will be to sort through all the information available, decide what is
most relevant, then present it in an interesting, organized way within the given
time constraints. When possible, you should make your presentations
"experiential" in nature. Use activities, visual aids or other methods to engage
your audience through as many sensory channels as you can. It's true the old
proverb "What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I understand."
1) Research the topic using whatever resources
you have available.
2) Prepare an outline of your presentation. Fax
or e-mail your outlines a couple of weeks ahead of the course date just to
confirm that you are on track.
3) Practice giving your presentations
before you arrive. It is the only sure way to know if your 15-minute
presentation is really a 20 to 30 minute one that will carry over into someone
else's time.
4) Use the "intro, - three main points, -conclusion"
method. Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them
what you told them.
Finally, you might put some thought into
preparing yourself for the process of giving and receiving feedback. After
presentations, instructor candidates will be evaluated on the content
(information presented) and process (teaching technique, style, etc.) of their
lesson. This is designed to facilitate the growth of the candidate as an
instructor. You will be asked to provide accurate and meaningful feedback to
others, and to receive the same from them.
The Open Water IDW is not a course for beginners,
but you are NOT required to be a master sea kayaker to attend. You must possess
a reliable roll to complete the Open Water ICE, but a roll is not required to
attend the IDW. Do not spend excess time attempting to "get in shape" for the
workshop. Save your body for when it counts, and focus your energies later when
you know more about what you need to focus them on.
What To Bring
Sea Kayak w/ proper flotation (front and rear bulkheads are highly
recommended) Paddle float and bilge pump Primary paddle and a spare
Deck Compass (ICE) First Aid Kit Boat Repair Kit Spray
skirt PFD Dry suit and/or wet suit (cold water periods only)
Tow system Signal Devices Emergency Equipment: emergency shelter,
storm cag, whistle, bivvy bag, windproof lighter, thermos with a hot drink (or
the ability to make a hot drink), emergency food Water Bottle
Appropriate footwear Notebook and pen(s) Waterproof shell top and
rain/paddling pants Change of casual clothes for classroom time
Workshop Times, Costs, and
Other Considerations
The Course
will begin at 8:30 am at Ft DeSoto Park, Shelter #9. The course fee is $375 for the
three day Basic Coastal Kayak Instructor IDW and $375 for the three day Basic
Coastal Kayak Instructor ICE. . There will be boats available for
anyone flying. The fee does not include membership in the ACA, ($40) and
the Safety Education & Instruction Committee ‘s required ACA Instructor Manual
or materials for construction of your visual aids ($25.00) You are
responsible to complete the check list at the top of this web page.
Payment in
full is required to reserve a space in workshops and evaluations and is
non-refundable. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your
payment and reservation have been made we will send you a copy of the course
syllabus, topic assignments, etc.
