To: ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Candidates
Subject: Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification
The single most important role of an Instructor Trainer (IT) is to maintain the appropriate standards for instructor certification. If these standards are not maintained, the integrity and reputation of the ACA instructional program will suffer serious consequences. If instructor certification is degraded to a "rubber stamp" process, the certification will be worthless and will be accorded little or no respect in the paddling community. All ACA instructors will suffer the consequences if this is allowed.
In order to avoid lowering standards, Instructor Trainers and Instructor candidates should familiarize themselves with the minimum proficiency requirements for certification (listed below) and make sure they understand these requirements before expecting certification.
Instructor candidates who meet most, but not all requirements do not necessarily have to repeat an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE), but can instead be invited to come back and demonstrate the required skill or knowledge that they lacked or at the Instructor Trainers discretion send a video for review. If they do this successfully, they can then be certified.
The requirements for Basic Level Certification and Open Water Certification for Coastal Kayak Instructors are listed below. Note that the primary difference between the two is that Open Water Instructors are expected to be competent paddlers in rough water and have a greater overall degree of experience, in a wider range of sea conditions. They also should have a good working knowledge of navigation in a variety of settings (fog, current, wind, etc.). Rough water skills must be assessed on the water in an Open Water ICE; otherwise the Basic Level is the highest certification that can be awarded.
The Basic Level of certification is geared primarily toward those who live and paddle in areas where calm, flat water is the predominate condition. Those who live and paddle in areas where strong currents, surf, and/or strong winds are common, are strongly recommended to seek Open Water Certification, since rough water is a primary factor when kayaking in such areas. Sea kayaking instructors must be knowledgeable and competent paddlers with regard to local conditions.
A third level of certification called Advanced Open Water Certification may be awarded to Open Water Instructors after a period of two years as an Open Water Instructor and the successful completion of an Advanced Open Water Instructor Certification Exam (there is no IDW). The primary difference between Open Water Instructors and Advanced Open Water Instructors, is that Advanced Open Water Instructors, will be allowed to teach additional courses, in more challenging conditions and must have the skills, knowledge, experience, and judgment to do so.
Coastal Instructor Trainers may award Intro to Kayaking Instructor certification , but this is a universal course for any kayak ,so requirements are not covered in this letter. Regardless of the level of certification, the instructor must be more skilled and have more knowledge, than included in the courses they will be certified to teach. They must be able to paddle competently, in conditions a good deal more challenging , than they will be teaching in.
Proficiency Requirements for Basic Coastal Kayak Instructor (BCK):
Fundamentally, we expect that paddlers should become experienced sea kayakers in mild to moderate conditions, before presenting themselves for assessment as instructor candidates at the Basic Level.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model the basic paddle strokes; forward, reverse, forward and reverse sweeps, draw and sculling draw, high and low braces.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model basic rescue techniques; T-rescue, Rafted-T, T-X Rescue, and Paddle Float Self Rescue both with and without a stirrup. Also have working knowledge of other rescues; Scramble, Reentry and Roll with and without Paddle Float, All-In, and Scoop.
Demonstrate ability to perform a reliable roll.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to teach, the following:
Safety issues and hazards of coastal kayaking
Basic chart reading and use
Weather conditions important to the kayaker
Hypothermia; prevention and treatment
Signaling devices and safety equipment
Boat traffic, rules of the road
Kayak design and equipment
Kayak towing techniques
Demonstrate ability to paddle comfortably with grace and style, and to perform rescues efficiently, in calm water.
Demonstrate leadership and group management skills, experience and judgment necessary to be a safe, effective instructor.
Certifying Conditions: Competent in up to 2 foot waves and 15 knot winds
Maximum BCK Teaching Conditions: Waves to 1 foot, winds to 10 knots, groups kept within ½ mile from shore.
Location: Ideal teaching areas are a protected lake or saltwater cove, preferably with a gently sloping, sandy bottom.
Duration: 16/24 hours for IDW, 16 hours for ICE
Proficiency Requirements for Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor (OW):
Fundamentally, we expect that paddlers should become experienced sea kayakers in a variety of conditions, including rough water, before presenting themselves for assessment as instructor candidates at the Open Water Level.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model the paddle strokes; forward, reverse, forward and reverse sweeps, draw and sculling draw, high and low braces as well as the Bow Rudder, Stationary or Hanging Draw, and Low Brace Turn.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model basic rescue techniques; T-rescue, Rafted-T, T-X Rescue, and Paddle Float Self Rescue both with and without a stirrup. Also have working knowledge of other rescues; Scramble, Reentry and Roll with and without Paddle Float, All-In, and Scoop.
Demonstrate ability to perform at least three reliable rolls , with one from a non set-up position.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to teach, the following, in addition to those above:
Wind, weather and waves
Tides and current
Chart reading, compass reading and basic navigation
Ferry Angles
Group formation and communication
Surf zone characteristics and hazards
Coastal features and hazards
Demonstrate ability to paddle comfortably with grace and style in surf, tide rips, and rough water.*
Demonstrate the ability to perform rescues efficiently in rough water.
Demonstrate leadership and group management skills, experience and judgment necessary to be a safe, effective instructor.
*Note: Solid rough water skill (paddling in rough conditions with "grace and style") must be demonstrated before Open Water Certification can be awarded. Ideally this skill will be demonstrated in a variety of conditions; including surf, tide rips, and wind waves. However, any one of these conditions will suffice, if the others aren’t available. In any case, Open Water Certification cannot take place unless the conditions necessary for rough water assessment are present during the workshop. If the conditions listed below are not available, the only option is to conduct a Basic IDW and ICE.
Certifying Conditions: Competent in 3-5-foot seas, 20-25 knot wind, 2 ½-3 ½ foot surf, 3-5 knot current with waves.
Maximum OW Teaching Conditions: Waves to 2 feet, winds to 15 knots, groups kept within 1 mile from shore.
Location: An Open Water assessment must be conducted in an area of open water with a potential fetch of 10 miles or greater. The area must have seas typically averaging at least 2 feet and/or surf zone with an average wave height of 2.5 feet, and/or tidal currents of at least 3-5 knots, and/or winds at 20-25 knots.
Duration: 24/32 hours for IDW, 24 hours for ICE
Proficiency Requirements for Advanced Open Water Instructor (AOW):
Fundamentally, we expect that paddlers should be very experienced Open Water Instructors (2 years minimum) in a variety of conditions, including rough water, surf, and tidal currents before presenting themselves for assessment as instructor candidates at the Advanced Open Water Level.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model launching and landing in mild surf.
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model strokes in rough water
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model rough water towing
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model rough water rescue techniques including; Back deck rescue, bow and paddle shaft rescue, self rescues, T-rescue variations, loaded boat rescues, etc.
Demonstrate ability to consistently roll in very rough water, wind and surf.
Demonstrate ability to paddle comfortably with grace and style in surf, tide rips, and rough water.
Demonstrate leadership and group management skills, experience and judgment necessary to be a safe, effective instructor.
Ideally these skills will be demonstrated in a variety of conditions, including surf, tide rips, and wind waves. However, any one of these conditions will suffice, if the others aren’t available. In any case, Advanced Open Water Certification cannot take place unless the conditions necessary for rough water assessment are present during the workshop
Certifying Conditions: Competent in 4-6-foot seas, 20-25 knot wind, 3-4 foot surf, 3-5 knot current with waves.
Maximum AOW Teaching Conditions: Seas to 5 feet, winds to 25 knots, surf to 4 foot, currents to 5 knots
Location: An Advanced Open Water assessment must be conducted in an area of open water with a potential fetch of 10 miles or greater. The area should be one of a dynamic nature with a variety of conditions. Areas of escape from rough conditions should be reasonably accessible.
Duration:
12/16 hour ICE.
General Requirements for all Certifications:
1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Successfully complete an Instructor Development Workshop and an Instructor Certification Exam (IDW/ICE)
3. Be an A.C.A. member ($30/yr), plus pay the Safety, Education, & Instruction Committee (S.E.I.C) fee ($25/yr.) if awarded certification. Call 703-451-0141 to become a member or join online at www.acanet.org. Try to do this prior to the workshop!
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the American Canoe Association as an organization, the ACA Policy Manual and paddle sport in general.
Instructor Maintenance Requirements:
Teach at least two courses that meet A.C.A. standards which you are qualified to teach , within the four-year certification period and report the results to the National Office.
Attend at the appropriate level (within the four-year certification period) at least one of the following: Instructor Update, Instructor Development Workshop, Instructor Certification Exam (assisting in either of the last two qualifies).
Maintain A.C.A. membership and S.E.I.C. dues.
Instructor Trainer Maintenance Requirements:
Teach at least four courses including one IDW/ICE and one update that meet A.C.A. standards which you are qualified to teach within the four-year certification period and report the results to the National Office.
Attend at the appropriate level (within the four-year certification period) at least one of the following: Instructor Trainer Update, Assist teaching an Instructor Trainer Development Workshop (ITDW), Co-teach IDW/ICE with a named IT once (details available from the office).
Maintain A.C.A. membership and S.E.I.C. dues.
Instructor Trainer Educator Maintenance Requirements:
Teach at least four certification workshops or updates within the four-year certification period and report the results to the National Office.
Mentor IT Candidates as requested within four years.
Maintain A.C.A. membership and S.E.I.C. dues