Duration: 3 Days (24-Hours)
Prerequisite: 1-Day (8 Hours) Basic River Canoe course or equivalent
Certification Levels: Introduction to Canoe, Basic River Canoe (Tandem and/or Solo)
(This schedule is subject to change, the suggested times are minimum contact hours, actual times may vary to
maximize safety, logistics, class size and teaching conditions. Breaks are scheduled as needed.
You will receive an updated schedule on the first morning of the class).
IDW Portion - 2 Days (16 Hours)
DAY 1:
8:00 am-12:00 Welcome and Introductions
o Participant and instructor expectations, goals and objectives of course
o Review workshop schedule
o Certification requirements reviewed: Proficiency in technical knowledge, paddling skills,
teaching skills and safety.
o Registration requirements, fees due, Instructor’s Manual, liability waivers, health forms.
How to Teach -Principals and Teaching Theory – (IT Presentations)
o Learning and Teaching Theory
o Effective Presentation Strategies
o Evaluations and Feedback Techniques (purpose, types and how to give)
o Developing a critical eye and use of video
Concepts of Paddling (Boat, Paddle, Body) IT Presentation – On Water
? This is Newton’s Law, the paddlers box etc
? Basic Terminology: onside, offside, etc
? Types of strokes: power, turning & bracing
? Stroke components: catch, propulsion,
? Recovery, control and correction
? Effective Body Usage and Bio-Kinetics
? Use of larger torso muscles (Prevent injury)
Noon Lunch (Bring a bag lunch and plenty to drink. The lunch break might be a working lunch, so make
it simple and quick. Use this time also to prepare your canoe for the afternoon session).
1:00-5:00 pm Review of Stroke Mechanics – Presentation by IT’s on Current ACA Paddling Techniques
and Teaching Model
Bow: Forward, Cross Forward, Back, Draw, Cross Draw, Reverse J
Stern: Forward, Back, Stern Pry, Stern Draw, Rudder
Solo: Forward, Cross Forward, Back, Pry, Stern Pry, All Draws, Rudder, Sweeps,
Reverse J
Review of Maneuvers Presentation by IT’s
Spins (onside and offside): boat pivots in place
Forward: boat moves in reasonably straight line
Reverse: boat moves in a reasonably straight line
Stopping: boat stops within a reasonable distance
Turns: boat turns in broad arc made while underway
Veering and Carving (Solo -paddling the “inside circle”)
Abeam: boat moves sideways without headway
Sideslips: boat moves sideways with headway
Review and Practice of Rescue Theory and Practice - IT Presentations
A. Principles of Rescue
1. Priorities - People, Boats, Gear
2. Responsibilities of Victim
3. Responsibilities of Rescuers
4. Responsibilities of the Group
B. Types of Rescue
1. Self-Rescue in moving current
2. Boat-Assisted Rescue
Tired Swimmer
Towing
Bumping
3. Shoreline Rescue - Extension Rescues
Use of Throw Bags/Ropes
4. Pinned Craft (Review theory and optional dry land demo)
C. Rescues
1. Vaulting (getting out of an up-right canoe)
2. Self-Rescue in moving current
3. Boat-Assisted Rescue
Tired Swimmer
Towing
Bumping
4. Shoreline Rescue - Extension Rescues
Use of Throw Bags/Ropes
Optional Evening: Presentations, Videos, Presentation Preparation Time, Questions
DAY 2:
8:00 am-12:00 Prepared Talks
IT Presentation – ACA Basic River Canoe Curriculum Review
Review of the Paddling Environment - (IT Presentation)
Noon Lunch (Bring a bag lunch and plenty to drink. The lunch break might be a working lunch, so make
it simple and quick. Use this time also to prepare your canoe for the afternoon session).
1:00-5:00 On Moving Water Presentation of Strokes and Maneuvers (CANDIDATES)
Candidates should be prepared to teach one or more strokes or maneuvers if called upon. Critiques
focus on developing a candidates critical eye.
Candidates will also take the lead in trip/class scenario in which canoes will tip and they will be
coached on rescues and group management. Typical leadership roles include group management
while paddling from one spot to another, directing rescues, responding to unexpected scenarios and
dealing with mishaps on moving water.
Wrap–up
o Critique of the day
o Individual Conferences
Optional Evening: Presentations, Videos, Presentation Preparation Time, Questions
ACA BASIC RIVER CANOE ICE
(Instructor Certification Exam)
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
ICE Portion -1 Day (8 Hours)
DAY 3
8:00 am-12:00 ACA Overview
o Certification requirements reviewed: Proficiency in technical knowledge, paddling skills,
teaching skills and safety.
o History of ACA, what is the SEIC and overview of each
ACA paperwork and procedures
o How to register a course (paper forms, on line registration)
o Registration, insurance, liability waivers, course reporting
o Accident reports
Start Prepared Talk Presentations- Ones that lend themselves to a classroom or dry land setting
Noon Lunch (Bring a bag lunch and plenty to drink. The lunch break might be a working lunch, so make
it simple and quick. Use this time also to prepare your kayak for the afternoon session).
1:00 pm-5:00 Moving Water Leadership Scenarios and Impromptu Teaching Talks and Strokes,
Maneuvers and Rescues Instructor candidates will be judges and evaluated as they are asked to
presenting any topic on the ACA Basic River Canoe course and are assigned a leadership role in a
moving water setting. Typical leadership roles include group management while navigating from
one point to another, rescues, responding to unexpected scenarios and dealing capsizes.
Course Wrap-up and Individual Conferences
o Written and oral evaluations
o Critique of Workshop
o Summary and award of certification on individual basis
o Review of continuing education opportunities and endorsements
o Administrative wrap-up
Sample Topics for the Basic River IDW/ICE
Below are sample topics for the impromptu and prepared talks to be given by the Candidates. The IT is free to
modify these topic to best fit the need of their course.
Impromptu Dry Land Impromptu Presentations
They will take place at appropriate times during the course
o Canoe Nomenclature
o Canoe Outfitting
o The Parts of the Paddle/Using It
o Launching and Landing
o Warm up/Stretching
o Transporting Boats on Vehicles
o PFD’s
o Pre-trip Safety Talk
o Carrying a Canoe
o Securing Gear in Boats
o River Etiquette
Prepared Presentation Topics
They will take place at the appropriate times during the course
o Canoe Design and Construction
o Trip Planning & Organization
o Group Management on the Water
o Cold Weather Paddling & Hypothermia
o On Water Communication & Signaling Devices
o Weather and River Conditions
o Proper paddling clothing
o Canoesport history
o Useful knots
o First-Aid Kits, What to Include
REV: GW 01-20-03