Participant's To Do List:

1) Read and download information from: http://www.americancanoe.org/instruction/instruction.lasso
2) Become a member of the ACA
3) Purchase Instructors Manual
4) Bring ACA wavier form

ACA Instructor Certification

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.
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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.

Click here for Class Registration Form