The American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Training Courses are designed to provide experienced paddlers with the tools needed to share their skills with others. ACA Certification is a two-part process: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) which is an interactive learning/teaching exercise and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) which is the formal evaluation of skills. Certification is based upon both paddling and teaching skills and is not guaranteed.

The IDW focuses on modeling effective instruction of the skills, knowledge, and techniques necessary for successful completion of the ICE (which is primarily an evaluation process). In other words, this first portion is designed to "teach you how to teach coastal kayaking". Each candidate will be assigned basic teaching topics and instruction methods. Each person will then be critiqued on the basis of his or her presentation skills as well as the knowledge and skills necessary for certification.

ACA "Basic" Instructor Certification IDW/ICE

Basic Coastal Certification is for the candidate that will be teaching students the basic strokes and rescues course and having groups up to a 1/2 mile off shore in mild conditions. A Basic Coastal Instructor can also get endorsements to teach Traditional Kayak and Kayak Rolling. Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to safely paddle sea/coastal kayaks and execute trips on rivers and coastal environments. This course will include instruction in, but not limited to, boat handling, terminology, kayak design, trip planning, marine hazards and safety, rules of the Nautical Road, weather and tides and environmental ethics.

2008 Dates: May 8-11, July 24-27
Location: Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay
Time: 8:00 AM
Duration: 4 Days
Prerequisites: PPS Starter Lesson Package (or equivalent experience)
Cost: $400

Note: Registration deadline for all ACA instructor courses is 15 days prior to start date.

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ACA "Open Water" Certification IDW/ICE

Building off the Basic Coastal curriculum above, Instructor Candidates teach rescues, introductory surfing, and tidal currents courses, on-water navigation, paddling in wind and waves. Site: Suggested conditions for teaching students do not exceed 2 foot waves, 15 knot winds, and no more than 1 mile from shore. Desirable conditions include a protected launch site with access to more open water and variable conditions.

Equipment: Sea kayaks with flotation or bulkhead in order to do efficient deep-water rescues To certify as an Instructor for the Open Water Coastal Kayaking course: (Open Water Kayak Instructor) Open Water Instructor candidates should have a broad range of experiences in coastal kayaking before attending the ICW. To certify, candidates must be competent paddling up to 5-foot seas, winds up to 25 knots, surf up to 3 feet, and tidal currents up to 5 knots. Environmental conditions at the IDW/ ICE sites will vary and may or may not include all of the above. The Instructor Trainers will conduct an Open Water Training Exercise in the IDW and the ICE.

In the IDW there will be a three-hour minimum time allowance for the Instructor Candidates to take a leadership role in an open water setting. Typical leadership roles include group management while navigating from one spot to another, directing rescue practice, responding to unexpected scenarios, and dealing with short crossings where boat traffic is present.

In an ICE less direction will be given to the Instructor Candidates as they are put in charge of various portions of the Open Water Training Exercise. Open Water Instructor Candidates must be able to perform the following skills in an open water setting no matter where the IDW and ICE is held: Advanced strokes at the accepted proficiency standard; three (3) consecutive rolls within one minute with at least one (1) from a non-set-up position to demonstrate the paddler is able to roll in variable conditions; advanced deep water rescues and towing off shore; paddling in wind and waves in an open water setting as part of a tour where leadership group management and navigation abilities are applied. Candidates must also demonstrate teaching abilities in classroom, on dry land outdoors and on-water settings. They must also demonstrate working knowledge and ability to teach a variety of topics listed in IDW and ICE.

2008 Dates: October 2-7
Location: Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay & Atlantic Ocean
Time: 8:00 AM
Duration: 6 Days
Prerequisites: PPS Complete Lesson Package (or equivalent experience)
Cost: $600

Note: Registration deadline for all ACA instructor courses is 15 days prior to start date.

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