The Essentials of Canoe Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably canoe on lakes and other calm protected flatwater setting.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants should have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills commensurate with this level of certification prior to presenting themselves for evaluation as Instructor Candidates.

This workshop may also be used as an instructor update and will be conducted with Co-Lead Instructor Steven Henkind. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or by email at mike@ckapco.com if you have any questions.

The Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills commensurate with this level of certification prior to presenting themselves for evaluation as Instructor Candidates .

This workshop is available for new certifications and updates.

This is a progressive instructor certification workshop to supplement the L1/L2 Canoe Touring ICW scheduled for May 21-23, 2023.

L3 River Canoeing Course Overview: The River Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class I rapids by catching smaller eddies, making sharp peel outs and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a high level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted versatile or whitewater tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.

L4 Whitewater Canoeing Course Overview: The Whitewater Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class II to III rapids by catching smaller eddies, making sharp peel outs, and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a higher level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted whitewater tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.

Participants must meet the eligibility requirements to obtain certification as an ACA instructor. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 with interest or questions. Camping may be available.

The River Kayaking course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants should have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills commensurate with this level of certification prior to presenting themselves for evaluation as Instructor Candidates at an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).

Please email Mike at mike@ckapco.com or call (703)850-1257 for more information . Camping may be available for those interested.

The ACA L3/L4 River Kayak Instructor Update is for instructors who are already certified and experienced as ACA L3 River Kayak instructors. It is intended for those who want to meet the requirements to maintain their certification.

The update will be conducted from Riley’s Lock and Violette’s Lock on the Potomac River.

RIVER CANOE AND WHITEWATER CANOEING INSTRUCTOR AND INSTRUCTOR TRAINER UPDATE

L2 Essentials of River Canoeing Overview: This course is designed as an introduction to paddling rivers. Participants learn to catch large eddies and perform simple peel outs and ferries, recognize and avoid hazards, perform rescues and respond to emergencies on moving water rivers. This course is appropriate for all types of tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.

L3 River Canoeing Course Overview: The River Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class I rapids by catching smaller eddies, making sharp peel outs and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a high level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted versatile or whitewater tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.

L4 Whitewater Canoeing Course Overview: The Whitewater Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class II to III rapids by catching smaller eddies, making sharp peel outs, and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a higher level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted whitewater tandem and/or solo canoes. It can be taught tandem, solo, or both.

Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or email mike@ckapco.com with any questions.

The River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed at whitewater boaters interested in learning fundamental river rescue skills.

This workshop is being conducted to provide ACA certified instructor updates for L2 Essentials of River Safety and Rescue or L3 River Safety and Rescue.

This will be an update workshop for ACA L2, Essentials of Kayak Touring and ACA L3 Coastal Kayak instructors and instructor trainers. Day 1 will be for the L2 participants. L3 participants will remain for Day 2.

Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or email mike@ckapco.com for more information.