ACA L4 Kayak Instructor Cert. Workshop ○ TN ○ 8.13.16–8.15.16 & 8.27.16–8.28.16 (5 days)

Becoming an ACA Instructor is a tremendously rewarding accomplishment that affords endless opportunities to give back to the sport. This course is taught by an Instructor Trainer Educator in both River Kayaking and Swift Water Rescue and fueled by fun. It will set you on the path of teaching your own classes or making your current instruction more effective (go HERE for evals of prior courses). Although mere completion of this course is not a guarantee of Certification, it will improve your boating and is one of the biggest steps towards earning ACA Instructor Certification. Other benefits of ACA Certification include access to inexpensive liability insurance and numerous pro deals.

Additionally, this course will have a concentration in Swift Water Rescue and will help prepare those Candidates who earn L4 Kayaking Certification for a separate one day bridge course to become an L3 Swift Water Rescue Instructor.

If already certified in River Kayaking, a portion of this class may be attended as an L4 Update or to Upgrade your Certification to L4.

Location: Ducktown, TN / Hiawassee & Middle Ocoee River

Format: 5 days of on water course work and several evening classroom sessions

When: 8.13.16–8.15.16 & 8.27.16–8.28.16 (All 5 days must be attended for new Instructors) For the next course go HERE

L4 ACA Instructor Requirements and Topics Covered:
Listed HERE*. If not all requirements are met, Certification at a lower level is possible.

Course Requirements: (In addition to those listed in the above link)
* A reasonable level of comfort on the Middle Ocoee (or equivalent)
* Whitewater kayak with adequate volume and hull speed to tow a swimmer
* Flotation bags, paddle, helmet, pfd, and skirt
* Throw rope (5/16” diameter or larger is suggested – length and material is up to you.)
* Appropriate clothing to comfortably paddle/swim in the course venue this time of year.
* ACA Instructor Manual

Although not a course requirement, a first aid kit and basic Un-Pin Kit are recommended for any whitewater boater. [Suggested Un-Pin Kit: (3) locking carabiners (“Keylock nose” preferred-make sure these do not have any steel components); (2) pieces of 5 or 6 mm accessory cord 72” long with the ends melted to prevent fraying (It’s OK if these are already tied in to prussik loops.); (1) piece of 1” tubular webbing 20 ft. long with the ends melted to prevent fraying]

Costs:
* Course Tuition:
$490 / student if taken in an effort to earn initial L4 Certification – $20 discount available if deposit received 60 days prior to start of course
$270 / student if taken in an effort to Upgrade to L4 (3 days required)
* ACA annual membership: $40 / year (approximate – depends on membership type)
* ACA Instructor’s Manual: $25 hard copy or $15 for CD
* Upon earning Certification – SEIC dues: $25 / year
* Current certifications in First Aid and CPR (requirements of Instructor Certification but can be completed after ACA Certification is earned). If you need help finding a course, go HERE.

Many paddling clubs offer reimbursement for Certification courses like this as well as the required First Aid and CPR courses in exchange for instruction for their members. Contact your Club’s Safety and Education Chair direct for information and requirements.

To Register:
Go HERE. You will need your ACA number prior to starting the registration process. If not an ACA member, you can join (and get your member number) HERE.

For More Info:
Email me (Dave Kessmann) at:
dkessmann (at) gmail (period) com
Please put “2016 ACA L4 RK ICW August” in the subject line

Looking forward to it.

Thanks.

This class is conducted under a Commercial Use Permit, is insured through the American Canoe Association, and made possible in part by the Coastal Canoeists.