The ACA Instructor Development Workshop (IDW)

Course Description:  The American Canoe Association (ACA) has one of the best established paddlesport instruction programs anywhere in the world. The courses are comprehensive, but allow enough flexibility for individual teaching and paddling styles. The main benefit to taking the course is improving your understanding of paddling technique and theory, so you can paddle more efficiently and teach more effectively. A secondary benefit is the development process which can give you structured feedback on becoming an effective instructor. A third benefit are the significant insurance, liability, and networking benefits of ACA certification. Instructor development workshops are very rewarding and enjoyable, because of the opportunity for idea exchange.

 

Instructors:  L4 ACA IT,  Heather Herbeck, has over 18 years of whitewater kayaking under her belt, with over 12 years of coaching.  Heather has her original roots in Mankato.  The Midwest community of paddlers was her first and her and her husband try to come back frequently to paddle the MW "goods'.

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Personally, Heather enjoys a variety of kayaking disciplines. She competes in extreme kayaking races both in the US and internationally, races slalom, explores new rivers all over the world and ‘lives and breathes’ whitewater. Her home sits right along the White Salmon River, which is her favorite river to paddle. Her coaching background specializes in ‘women’s specific’ courses, but enjoys sharing her passion with everyone. More information can be found on Heather here.

 

Essential Eligibility Criteria:

*  Open to male and female instructors, club boaters or anyone wanting to step up their own paddling game.

*  Be 18 years or older

*  Be a current ACA member in good standing

*  Be able to independently complete all skills, activities and rescues listed in the ACA Instructor Criteria documents that you will be sent.

*  Be able to effectively communicate, including effective verbal communication.

*  Be able to manage all personal care and mobility independently.

You do not need to be a class 5 kayaker to take this class. There are 4 levels of certification, ranging from level 1 (Ability to teach intro-level kayaking on class1) to Level 4 (Ability to teach whitewater kayaking on class 2-3).

 

Levels of ACA Kayak Certification:

PLEASE NOTE:  There is no guarantee that you will earn the level of certification that you came into the course hoping for. Not everyone will receive “Full” whitewater instructor certification, especially if this is their first exposure to formal paddling instruction. No worries! There are means for upgrading within a year.  And we promise you will ALL leave with some great tools for your teaching and for your personal paddling progression.

 

Level One - Introduction of Kayaking

3 Days - Course #1 August 14, 15 and 16, 2020

This course is designed as a short program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition and targeted for entry level individuals in public, private and commercial settings.  This course is appropriate for all kayak craft, including traditional decked kayaks, inflatables and sit on tops. 

So, if you are an instructor, business owner, guide, club boater or want this knoweldge for your personal paddling or paddling with your family and friends on flatwater, this course is designed to give you the knowledge to safely and competently do that.

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Level Two - Essentials of River Kayaking

3 Days - Course #1 August 14, 15 and 16, 2020

This course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on gentle rivers.  So, if you are an instructor, business owner,  guide, club boater or you want this knowledge for your personal paddling or paddling with family or friends on flatwater or Class I, this course is designed to give you that knowledge to safely and competently do that.

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Level Three - River Kayaking

5 Days - August 14, 15, 16, 22 and 23, 2020

This course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry level through intermediate individuals in a public, private or commercial setting.  So, if you are an instructor, business owner, guide, club boater or you want this knowledge for your personal paddling with family or friends on flatwater, Class I or Class II, this course is designed to give you that knowledge to safely and compentently do that.

 

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Level Four - Whitewater Kayaking

5 Days - August 14, 15, 16, 22 and 23, 2020

This course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry level through intermediate individuals in a public, private or commercial setting.So, if you are an instructor, business owner, guide, club boater or you want this knowledge for your personal paddling with family or friends on flatwater, Class I, Class II or Class III, this course is designed to give you that knowledge to safely and competently do that.

 

 

 

 

 

Instructor Updates:
Current ACA instructors may join the first two (and on approval last two) days of the class to fulfill every 4 year update requirements. (on space available basis).  

 

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Pre-course Assignment:
Important: Join ACA online at www.americancanoe.org ($40 for ACA individual membership plus $25 for Instructor Membership of Safety Education Instruction Committee). Bring your current ACA membership number to class. Review the instruction section of the ACA website, including course registration and reporting, course outlines, and insurance information.

 

Overall Health:
Participants should be in good physical health and should be in condition to paddle for long hours.   Class days are long yet invigorating.

 

Overall Schedule:
The first full day will focus on introductions, paddle sports background, ACA overview and certification rubric, strokework, followed by video analysis. The following days we will be in the classroom initially, then on the river midday, and back to the classroom for video review every afternoon. Generally our class will run from 8:30 am to 5 pm (possibly later), and then you will be free for the remainder of the evening. The last day we typically finish around 6 pm. These are rewarding but long days, so arriving rested is recommended.

 

Payment:

PIF is required for Level 1-2 certification courses.  A deposit of $225 is required for Level 3-4 courses.  Payment in full is needed by May 7th.  No refunds on deposits.

 

Additional Costs:
Typically students provide their own local transportation during class. Participants are expected to provide their own boats and gear, unless they make special arrangements in advance.

 

Meals:
You will be responsible for all of your own meals. Please pack a lunch for each day plus any snacks you need to get you through the day and after the river. We often eat lunch on the river, so if you can pack your food in a small dry bag please do so. Also, don’t forget a water bottle.

 

Lodging:
Closer to date, camping/hotel suggestions will be sent.  Minimizing travel time will improve the class considerably for all of us.

 

Questions:

Heather Herbeck 541-981-9634 or hherbeck@yahoo.com

 

For More Information on becoming an ACA kayak instructor:

http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=Become_an_Instructor

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READ ABOUT PAST ACA COURSES:

Midwest Course 2016

Iowa Course 2016