aca

Thank you for your interest in the American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop. This workshop is a great way
to build your skills and become certified to teach by one of the world's most respected paddlesports organizations. A bonus to
joining the ranks of the ACA instructor team is that you can teach anywhere in the world, be advertised, and be insured!

Even if you are not planning to teach paddling, the development workshop is a great opportunity. Participants are in general highly
motivated and want to develop their skills and the workshop offers.

About the Instructor
Greg Weiss is an ACA Advanced open water instructor and an instructor for whitewater kayak and canoe. He's spent months on
the Pacific paddling & teaching in British Columbia, as well as Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Florida. Greg spent a year
instructing skin boat building in Washington state. He has taught for Outward Bound throughout the USA and currently teaches for
and coordinates a college outing program.

About the Course
The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW),
and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents Instructor Candidates (that would be you) the skills and knowledge
that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the
presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, knowledge necessary for certification.
Candidates go through a 3 day IDW, then another 1, 2 or 3 days of the ICE depending upon desired certification level.
Certification levels for coastal kayaking in order of expertise are;

Introduction to kayak
Essentials of kayak touring
Coastal kayak
Open water coastal kayak
Advanced open water coastal kayak

There are also addendum certifications available for coastal kayaking such as "traditional skills" and "kayak rolling instructor". All
of these certification levels correspond to the ACA's courses which you are then able to teach.

RECOMMENDED FOR ENTERING THE COASTAL KAYAK INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM
Anyone can take the Development Workshop, which is the first step in the process of obtaining instructor certification, though not
everyone should. The following is a list of basic attributes for an eligible candidate entering the program:

Have a passionate interest in coastal kayaking and interest in paddlesports
Have some experience leading/assisting novices in kayaks. (professionally or not)
At least 18 years old at the time of the course. (you must be)
Have overnight tripping experience AND extensive day trip experience on open waters in sea kayaks.
An active paddler on your own
Can roll a kayak on flat water
Have paddled 15 miles in a day
Own or are beginning the process of owning all of your own equipment
Have a working understanding of marine navigation
Have a basic understanding of tides and currents

The above pre-requisites are highly suggested for a well-rounded candidate. Without having this experience you are less likely to
play a constructive part on the course or be able to make best use of the training. If you are unsure of your skill levels we suggest
taking a coastal kayak specific advanced skills course with an ACA instructor or coastal kayak assessment course through an
ACA instructor trainer. All candidates MUST be a member of the ACA to take the workshop and exam.

PRE-REQUISITES FOR COASTAL KAYAK INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
The Instructor Certification Exam can be taken directly following the Instructor Development Workshop if the candidate
successfully completed the workshop and meets the following pre-requisites:
*You have successfully completed an ACA Instructor Development Workshop or the equivalent.
*You MEET or EXCEED all of the attributes suggested for entering the instructor program. If you are not able to demonstrate all
of those listed you will not pass the exam at the "coastal kayak" level, though you may pass at an introductory level. This is not a
comprehensive list though it does highlight a few of the major points of the assessment.

Candidates are judged on their paddling AND teaching ability as well as general paddlesport knowledge (i.e. depth & breath &
prior experience) This means that you could be a stellar paddler but have limited teaching skills so you would be certified at your
teaching ability level until that ability has developed to match your paddling skills. This ensures that instructors are well-rounded
and able to meet the requirements of a diverse student population.

COURSE SPECIFICS FOR FALL 2009 COURSES
This is an open enrollment (anyone welcome) series of courses being held this fall.
IDW- This 3 day workshop will be held dates coming soon. Cost is $270 (plus $25 for required manual)
50% Deposit due 15 days prior.
ICE- This 2 day exam will be held dates coming soon. Cost is $180
50% Deposit due to hold your space.

There is no guarantee that taking the exam will result in the desired certification level. Fees are not refundable if you do not pass at
the level you were hoping for, so you should have a good idea as to what your level of instructor expertise is prior to registering for
the exam. Candidates sometimes put off taking the exam a week, a month, or even a year depending upon personal skill
development needs shown through the IDW process.

Pricing Policy & other costs
1. REFUNDS: Registration amount for either or both IDW/ICE is fully refundable prior to 30 days before the course, 50%
refundable (price minus deposit) up to 15 days prior to course and non-refundable thereafter. Texts are non-refundable as they
will be purchased for you when you register.
2. TEXTS: ACA instructors manual is $25, payable with course registration.
3. REGISTRATION: To register send registration and textbook payment payable to;

Greg Weiss
ACA courses
1411 Ellis Ave
Ashland WI 54806

4. MEMBERSHIP: To take this course you must be a member of the ACA which is $40 for an annual membership. Register
online now and retrieve your member number. Once you have passed the exam you must join the ACA SEIC (Safety, Education
and Instruction Committee) which is $25 for an annual membership and allows you to teach ACA curriculum with ACA insurance.
You will need to give this to your trainer who will send it in with the paperwork post exam.
5. EQUIPMENT: You must also have your own boat and equipment or be able to rent/borrow what you need. During early
season courses a drysuit or thick farmer-john style wetsuit is highly recommended. You may rent most equipment in Ashland from
the Northland College Outpost. reserve early! Call 715-682-1265.
6. LODGING is not provided. I will send you information on camping and area lodging upon registration. There are many
inexpensive options.

To reserve your spot I must receive at least 50% deposit plus $25 for your manual (unless you already own it). I will then send
you your course packet. Please contact me with any other questions you may have.

Greg Weiss
ACA Instructor Trainer for Coastal kayaking

September 2008 Course Cover letter & details
Course Sylabus- coming soon!
Lesson Plan Outline
ACA website