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ACA Instruction
Coastal Kayak Courses
We offer American Canoe Association Certified Instruction
courses in
Coastal Kayaking.
ACA skill level awards are designed to take the beginner paddler through
a logical progression to become an advanced paddler. We offer both skills
training and assessments. If you start out paddling by taking instruction, it will make
your learning curve steeper, safer and more efficient. If you have been
paddling for awhile join an intermediate course and fine tune and build
upon your foundation.
Level 1 Kayaking Introduction
Introduction to Kayaking is a six-hour course focusing on skills needed for any type of kayak including but not limited to sit on tops, recreational, folding and inflatable. Presentations include dressing to paddle safely and potential paddling hazards. Simple rescues are demonstrated by the instructor combined with the paddling skills practiced by students to maneuver safely and comfortably on still water. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to Level 2 or 3 courses to continue the learning and refinement process, as one progresses forward, the track to follows depends on interest and kayak type.
Level 2 Coastal Kayak
Essentials of Kayak Touring is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by kayak of the types designated as sit on top, folding, inflatable and "recreational." There is more emphasis on practicing a simple rescue sequence, understanding the very basics of tides and currents, use of a compass (safety bearing), rules for paddling in channels with and without boat traffic, use of VHF radio and weather radio and other emergency equipment. The graduates should stay within swimming distance of shore in areas with no conditions such as wind, waves, or current.
Level 3 Coastal Kayak
Coastal Kayak Basic Strokes & Rescues is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by kayak of the type designated as a sea kayak with bulkheads or flotation. There is more emphasis on self-rescue and assisted-rescue techniques and the stability strokes are introduced. Also, Rules of the Navigable Road, tides and currents, wind and waves, emergency equipment, use of VHF radios and weather radios, understanding charts and basic use of a compass are covered in more depth. Graduates should be capable of paddling up to half mile off shore with mild conditions such as light and variable winds, up to one foot of wind chop, and current speeds up to 1 knot.
Kayak Rolling is a 2-6-hour course that is designed to by used with river and sea kayak hard shell, closed-deck designs. Students will learn the fundamental components of the roll and improve their bracing skills.
Coastal Kayak Strokes & Maneuvers Refinement is a 7-8-hour course to assist students at all levels in refining their strokes and maneuvers in a sea kayak with bulk heads or flotation. Graduates of this course may desire to re-take the course at any time to further refine techniques such as style, bracing, low/high brace turns, bow rudder, side slips and stern rudder.
Level 4 Coastal Kayak
Coastal Kayak Open Water Skills is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by kayak of the type designated as a sea kayak with bulkheads or flotation, including some introductory navigation, boat lean and edging, introduction to kayak maneuvers and open water rescues. Graduates of this course should be capable of paddling up to one mile off shore with some moderate conditions but not white caps or current speeds beyond 2 knots. (prerequisite required)
Coastal Kayak Surf Zone is a 7-8-hour course designed to help students learn to launch and land safely through waves up to 3 feet high in sea kayaks with bulk heads or flotation. Graduates of this course will be introduced to the nomenclature and personal experience of the surf zone, timing, and side-surfing techniques. (prerequisite required)
Coastal Kayak Tidal Currents is a 7-8-hour course that focuses on estimating, reading, and maneuvering in currents up to 4 knots caused by tidal exchange around coastal contours in sea kayaks with bulk heads or flotation. Students will be introduced to the process of reading tide prediction charts, studying the water, and controlling the kayak in strong flow. (prerequisite required)
Level 5 Coastal Kayak
Coastal Kayak Rough Water Maneuvering & Towing is an eight-hour course focused on helping the student learn to handle a kayak of the type designated as a sea kayak with bulkheads or flotation in challenging conditions. Skills will include but not be limited to a variety of rescue techniques and towing, maneuvering the sea kayak in the wind. Graduates of this class may be capable of handling sea conditions including white caps, waves to three feet, and currents to 5 knots. (prerequisite required)
Coastal Kayak Advanced Surf Zone is a 7-8-hour course designed to introduce the concepts of reading and surfing waves up to 4 feet high in sea kayaks with bulk heads or flotation or kayaks of the kind called whitewater or surf kayaks or even sit on tops with thigh straps. Students will be introduced to surf etiquette, wave selection, positioning and maneuvers in the surf. (prerequiste required)
Trip Leader
Coastal Kayaking Day-Trip Leading Assessment is intended to provide the minimum skills and training necessary for an adult leader possessing basic paddling skills (see prerequisite below) to lead a trip for participants with beginner level paddling skills, in gentle conditions, with apparent wind not exceeding 10 knots, waves not exceeding 1 foot and currents to 2 knots. The emphasis of this course is trip leading, safety education and rescue, not paddling instruction. The content is relevant for clubs, camps, scouts and other entities providing trips. This is an Assessment Course with a written Examination, administered by a CK Instructor Trainer. Those desiring certification to teach kayak paddling should get ACA Instructor Certifications.
ACA Instructor Development and Certification
Those who have had skills training and feel they own
the strokes and maneuvers often find themselves ready to share their knowledge
with others.
We offer Instructor Development Workshops (IDW) and Instructor
Certification Evaluations (ICE) for those interested in instructing ACA courses.
Please click on the links below for more information about each Instructor
course.
ACA Instructor Coastal Kayaking Certifications are awarded at five levels:
Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Instructor Development and Certification
Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Development and Certification
Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor Development and Certification
Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Development and Certification
Level 5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Development and Certification
Each level requires a more advanced understanding of:
safety awareness
general technical knowledge
paddling skills
teaching skills
Each level requires:
Completion of a course of instruction at the same skill level or higher
Successful completion of an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW)
Successful completion of an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE)
The purpose of the IDW is to help instructor candidates learn how to effectively teach.
The purpose of the ICE is to evaluate the candidate in each of the above areas.
Please call us for more details regarding instructor development and certification.
If you have any questions about our instructional offerings,
please contact us a 1-888-KAYAKGA.
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