ACA Kayak Instructor Course – September 23-25 / October 7-9, 2011

An ACA whitewater kayak instructor course is being sponsored byThe Carolina Canoe Club over two weekends this fall: September 23-25 and October 7-9, 2011. Larry Ausley (pending IT certification) and John Zadrozny are the ITs (Instructor Trainers) who will present the course. The exact location(s) for the two weekends will be determined based on water and weather, but it is expected that both weekends will take place in western North Carolina.

The course will cover beginner and intermediate teaching progressions, strokes, river maneuvers, rolling, class organization and risk management. The first weekend will emphasize flatwater skills and teaching techniques, whereas the second weekend will focus on river skills and risk management. ACA certification is recognized as the baseline for paddling instructors, and provides instructors with a number of benefits, including insurance and several pro-deals.

Instructor candidates, at least 18 years old, should have solid class III whitewater kayaking skills and a desire to effectively teach others those skills. Candidates will be evaluated based on their kayaking skills, their ability to teach effectively, and their ability to model paddling skills on flatwater and up to class III whitewater. To receive certification, participants will need to attend both weekends, and will need to successfully complete a number of teaching and performance requirements. Candidates must have current CPR and First Aid certification before receiving ACA certification.Participation in the class does not guarantee certification.Participants may receive instructor certification from Level 1 to Level 4 or none at all. Participants who do not receive certification will be given a written list of areas to work on, and will have up to four years to complete the list. Part of the class will focus on polishing and developing the candidate's skills, and many paddlers find that both their teaching and their paddling skills improve after taking the course.

Our goals are to help you succeed, learn a great deal about paddling and to have fun.

Course costs are broken down into three areas:

A) room and board – each participant is responsible for their own. We'll likely base in western NC for both weekends. We will probably stay at a campground both weekends, but participants are welcome to stay elsewhere.

B) Mandatory ACA costs – ACA costs include ACA membership and SEIC registration (see the ACA website for current membership and SEIC registration fees). Each participant will be responsible for these costs.

C) Course tuition – Tuition cost is $275.00 per candidate.

(Tuition cost includes the cost of the required ACA instructor  manual and student packet)

 

Signup deadline (including full tuition payment) is August 26, 2011.

A minimum of 4 candidates is needed for the course to be held and the maximum will be limited to 8 candidates.

Candidates from other paddling clubs or non-affiliated paddlers are welcome to sign up.The CCC offers a schedule of reimbursement of costs for instructors who teach a specified number of classes for the club. Many other clubs offer similar reimbursement options. If you would like more information about the course or the CCC's policy of instructor reimbursments, you can reach us at the email addresses below:

John Zadrozny at zdr_j@yahoo.com

 

Larry Ausley at lausley@gmail.com

 

Sharon Myers, CCC's Education Chairperson at education.chair@carolinacanoeclub.org

 

Click here to review ACA Instructor Criteria