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The American Canoe Association - ACA - Through it's "Instructor Trainers-ITs" and "Instructor Trainer Educators-ITEs" , certifies ACA Instructors in various Paddlesport disciplines. CKAPCO Instructors, ITs and ITEs teach ACA courses and certify ACA instructors and Instructor Trainers in Kayaking (both Touring and Whitewater) and Rescue, .
The process of ACA Certification involves an IDW, which is an "Instructor development workshop" followed by an ICE, an "Instructor certification exam" When done in one course this is called an Instructor Certification Workshop.
There are various Levels of Certification offered depending on which course, in which discipline is taken. They span variously from two to six days :
On the Kayak/Touring Kayak/Coastal Kayak Track : level 1-Introduction to Kayak (2 days) , level 2-Essentials of Kayak Touring (3 days), level 3- Coastal Kayaking (5 days); level 4 -,Open Water Coastal Kayaking (6 days), level 3 and 4 includes-Stroke and Maneuver Refinement. Level 4 includes all of 3 plus teaching Kayak Rolling, Surf zone, Navigation, etc.
On the River Kayak track: level 1-Introduction to Kayak, level 2 - Essentials of River Kayak (for any kayak , class 1 rapids), Level 3 - River Kayak ( for whitewater kayaks using spray skirts, class 1-2 rapids). Level 4 - Whitewater Kayak, for whitwater kayaks (class 2-3). Advanced WW for class 3-4.
On the Canoe track: level 1 Introduction to Canoe (2 days, [level 2-essentials splits canoe into flat water and moving water tracts ] essentials of touring canoe [flat], essentials of river canoe , level 3-Basic Canoe [flatwater], Basic River Canoe, level 4-Whitewater, level 5 advanced white water etc.
The following is pre course material for Instructor Certification. The information has been culled from an essentials of River Canoe IDW/ICE. It is appropriate for all disciplines. Additional Pre course information is here
A INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
We look forward to working with you in the up coming workshop. The following should help you understand the process and expectations.
Description
Instructor Development Workshops (IDW) help students become acquainted with the ACA model of effective instruction, paddling and leadership necessary in canoeing. The teaching techniques, paddling skills, technical knowledge and rescue and safety competencies necessary for successful completion of the Instructor Certification Exam 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 canoe sport. Each participant will be assigned a 5-10-minute presentation aimed at the beginner paddler, as well as mini dry land and on-water topics to present to the group. These dress rehearsals will allow candidates to receive valuable feedback from their peers and ITs. The IDW is a prerequisite for the Instructor Certification Exam.
The 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 arrive proficient in all skills on the appropriate ACA course outlines before attending the ICE. Throughout the certification process, candidates will be instructed and evaluated in the areas below. Candidates must be able to perform all of the related skills, competently on a consistent basis. For example – a candidate must demonstrate the ACA models of paddling strokes consistently, to be considered at a passing level.
Technical Knowledge - General knowledge of the ACA and canoeing
Paddling Skills - Technical proficiency at the desired certification level. Freestyle candidates must have the ability to perform all maneuvers in each of the four quadrants.
Teaching Ability – Good physical modeling, the ability to break down maneuvers and skills into their components, clear, concise, organized and thorough presentations aimed at the beginner paddler, people skills and general professionalism.
Safety Awareness and Technical Rescue Skills candidates must demonstrate comprehension and competency.
Each candidate will be assigned a 5- 10 minute teaching topic to prepare. The Instructor Trainers will pick topics for the candidate to present during the IDW/ICE. 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 Canoe or Basic River Canoe. This is not a chance for you to tell us how much you know, but rather to demonstrate how well you can prioritize the available information to give a beginner what they need to know, in an efficient and effective manner. In addition, each candidate will be assigned impromptu (3 to 5 minute) presentations on a very basic topics, which should be familiar to all instructors (i.e. sizing PFD’s) and various strokes and maneuvers to present to the group.
A2
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
How to Prepare for the Course:
§ Look over the enclosed materials. Be familiar with the ACA site www.americancanoe.org and print out and bring Canoe course outlines, Instructor Responsibilities, Policy Manual, Insurance Guidelines, Class registration Waivers, noting anything that you have questions on.
§ Be in good physical condition. The days are long and full.
§ Come with an open mind.
§ Bring any canoe books/materials that you feel will be helpful. We make available Canoe Basics for $15 each.
§ Make sure you have personal paddling gear and attire for any weather condition.
§ The class starts on schedule. Arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to unload and prepare your boat and equipment.
§ Write up your presentation outlines and be prepared to give a 5 to10 minute talk aimed at the beginner at anytime. Make extra copies of your outline (approximately 10) to distribute to the group. Prepare teaching and presentation aids.
What to Bring:
§ Bring all of your personal equipment, including appropriate boats and accessories (kneeling pads, hip pads, PFD’s, etc.) to be on and in the water. You are a professional from the Start of the course on; Look, act, dress like and be like a professional.
§ Bring a folding chair or something to sit on and a notebook and pencil.
§ Include lots of snacks and fluid. Lunches will be working lunches, so bring a bag lunch that is simple and quick.
§ While we will try to cover the material in 8 to 9 hours during the day, be prepared to spend evenings involved in classroom presentations, group study, video review, etc. as necessary. Therefore keep dinner plans flexible.
§ ACA membership number and appropriate paperwork (waivers, outlines, etc.). Students that are not ACA members will need to join the ACA ($30) before the course and the SEIC ($25) before certification. This can be done easily on line.
While certification is an eventual goal of most candidates, it should be emphasized that becoming certified as an ACA instructor is a learning process. Instructor candidates come to IDW’s and ICE’s with a wide range of prior paddling instruction and teaching experience. Candidates are encouraged to arrive at the IDW and/or ICE with an open mind and to look at this process as part of a journey.
We will do our best to make this course educational and fun. If you have any questions regarding the class please do not hesitate to contact me. There will be two or more Instructor Trainers and other assistant Instructors to help you learn.
Sincerely, Mike Aronoff ITE,River Kayak, Canoe and OW Coastal
Canoe, Kayak and Paddle Co. LLC.
703 264.8911
Mikearonoff@aol
http://www.ckapco.com/
AMERICAN CANOE ASSOCIATION
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT/CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR THE COURSE
Waivers must be signed before the course begins.
Must have joined the ACA before the beginning of the course or covered in course fee.
Must have paid CKAPCO all fees prior to the course
Non-swimmers and persons with special medical conditions, please make your situations known to the staff and on the Confidential Medical and Paddling Information form.
PFDs will be worn at all times on the water.
No smoking, food, candy or gum while on the water.
If a boat capsizes, immediately yell "Boat over!" and proceed to aid in the rescue. The preferred methods of rescue will be reviewed during the course.
If lightning is sighted, the class will immediately leave the water.
If you are asked to do anything with which you are uncomfortable, speak up! No one will be expected to perform any maneuver or procedure that feels unsafe; however, maneuvers and safety procedures are required for instructor certification.