Instructional Offerings - ACA Instructor Training for Costal Kayak |
Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) helps students become acquainted with the American Canoe Association model of instruction, paddling and leadership necessary in kayaking. Experienced paddlers who do not desire certification are welcome to take advantage of this valuable training opportunity, as well as those desiring to become instructors. The teaching techniques, paddling skills, technical knowledge and rescue and safety competencies necessary for successful completion of the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) will be reviewed and modeled during this course. We will focus on fine-tuning each candidate’s paddling, rescue, group management and teaching skills, as well as expanding their knowledge in various aspects of kayaking and the marine environment. Each participant will be assigned and have an opportunity to present a 15-minute talk to the class during the IDW, as well as some other impromptu talks. This dress rehearsal allows the candidate to receive valuable feedback from their peers and the IT(s). The IDW provides students with a benchmark from which to evaluate their level of competency and identify those areas where they need work before attending the ICE. The IDW is a prerequisite for the Instructor Certification Exam.
Instructor Certification Examination(ICE) primarily serves as an opportunity to evaluate the Instructor Candidate for certification. Participation in this course does not guarantee certification. Candidates should be proficient in all skills on the appropriate ACA course outlines before attending the ICE. Throughout the certification process, candidates will be instructed and evaluated on the required proficiencies and must be able to consistently perform all of the skills. Please refer to the proficiency requirements document to review the requirements of each level of certification.
Each candidate in the ICE will be assigned a 15-minute teaching topic to present. This may include classroom, shore-side and on-water topics. These presentations should be concise talks geared to beginning students in an ACA Quickstart, Introduction to Paddling – Kayak, Essentials to Touring Kayak, Basic Coastal Kayaking and Open Water Coastal Kayaking class. This is not a chance for you to tell us how much you know, but rather to demonstrate how well you can sort through all the available information to give a beginner what they need to know in an efficient and effective manner. In addition, each candidate will be given an impromptu (3 to 5 minute) presentation on a topic, which should be familiar to all instructors (i.e. sizing PFD’s) and various strokes, maneuvers and rescues to present to the group.
There are four levels of certification offered in the Instructor Certification Exam for Coastal Kayaking: 1. Introduction to Kayak 3. Coastal Kayaking – Basic
How to Prepare for the Course:
What to Bring:
Instructor candidates come to the workshops with a wide range of prior paddling instruction and teaching experience. While certification is an eventual goal of many candidates, it should be emphasized that becoming certified as an ACA instructor is a learning process…a journey. If you concentrate more on the journey and a little less on the destination, you will come out ahead. To get the most out of the IDW/ICE we encourage candidates to try and keep the following in mind.
If you have any questions regarding the class please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to working with you.
Thanks – Karen Knight and Bob Foote |
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