ACA L2: Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor Certification Prep Course

Blues City Kayaks' certified instructors are excited to offer a prep class to help ACA Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking instructor candidates hone their skills prior to taking an instructor course to become certified.

Many ACA Instructor Trainers (IT) are requiring a skills assessment prior to taking their Instructor Certification Workshops. As an instructor candidate you are expected to know the L2 river maneuvers before arriving at the workshop. This class will prepare you for your ICW and you'll leave with a skills assessment that will let your IT know you are serious about becoming an instructor.

We'lll start promptly at 8:30AM on day 1 and go until 4:30PM. You are responsible for bringing your own kayak. Blues City Kayaks will not have kayaks available to rent for this class. This course will be 100% outside so please prepare to dress appropriately, bring plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of water. Additional items you will want to bring:

• Folding chair
• Nose clip
• You'll want to dress with the 3 Ws of Layering in mind
• 10 Outdoor Essentials
• Lunch
• Snacks (That won't melt)

Day 2 will begin promptly at 8:30AM and go until all assessments are complete.

ACA L2: Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor Certification Prep Course, Day 1

This day is for ACA L2 instructor candidates to hone their current skills and learn any new skills they will be expected to know for their ICW.

Planning

• The Paddling Environment
• Personal ability & judgment
• Personal equipment (reviewed by Instructor)
• Water comfort and confidence
• Kayaks: types, materials, parts (including safety features such as flotation)
• Paddles: types, materials, parts, length, blade size & shape, hand position.
• Personal equipment: The 10 outdoor essentials, kayak gear, etc
• River gauges (Current (cfs), volume, direction)
• River obstacles Importance of First Aid & CPR

Participation

• Safe paddle and boat handling
• Appropriate personal behavior
• River etiquette
• Safety and rescue considerations
• Warm-up and stretching
• Boarding the kayaks
• Posture, safety, comfort, effectiveness, rocking, balance
• Strokes, Sweeps, Draws
• Wet exits/How to empty a kayak
• Principles of Rescue
• Priorities: first people, then boats, finally other gear
• Responsibilities of the victim/Responsibilities of the rescuers/Responsibilities of the group
• Types of Rescue/Self Rescue
• Boat assisted rescue, towing or bulldozing a tired swimmer, towing or bulldozing a capsized boat
• Shoreline Rescue: Extension rescues, use of throw ropes/bags
• Swimming in current
• Self Rescue/Assisted Rescue/ Boat Emptying
• From shore: Extension, Rescue ropes/From boat: Bulldozing

Putting Away

• How to properly load a kayak on a vehicle (loading and unloading, racks, strap)
• Group debrief / Individual feedback

ACA L2: Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor Certification Prep Course, Day 2

This day is for ACA L2 instructor candidates to show what they know and receive and assessment from a certified L2 instructor. This will show the IT who is leading the ICW that the instructor candidate is serious about becoming an instructor.