Mar 1-3 Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring
Mar 11-15 Level 3: Coastal Kayaking
Mar 24-29 Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Apr 7-11 Level 3: Coastal Kayaking
Apr 21-26 Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking
May 3-5 Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring
May 7-11 Level 3: Coastal Kayaking
May 10-24 Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking
June 4-8 Level 3: Coastal Kayaking
Aug 4-9 Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Aug 23-25 Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring
Sept 30-Oct 5 Level 5: Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Oct 13-18 Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Oct 28-Nov 2 Level 5: Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Sea Kayak Georgia offers American Canoe Association Instructor Development Workshops (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exams (ICE) for those interested in instructing ACA courses. Those who have taken ACA instruction often find themselves with the desire to share their knowledge with others.SKG offers certification for ACA Levels 1-5 and ACA SUP Instructor Yoga Certification.
Click on the links below for more information about each Instructor Certification Course.
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
ACA SUP Instructor Yoga endorsement.
Each level requires a more advanced understanding of: safety awareness, general technical knowledge, paddling skills, teaching skills.
With the ACA Instructor Certification you will be recognized at a set standard backed by the American Canoe Association and recognized everywhere. You should come with proficient paddling ability so that you may learn to teach. Sea Kayak Georgia offers ACA training courses in all skill levels to fine tune your paddling ability so that you will be confident and skilled. It is possible that you may want to schedule some training sessions prior to the IDW and ICE to make sure your skills are properly refined, please call us and we can design the program that will effectively utilize your time and energy.
The purpose of the IDW is to help instructor candidates learn how to effectively teach. The IDW is designed to be a stand-alone learning experience that will help prepare you for the ICE. Experienced paddlers who do not desire certification and want to deepen their knowledge of paddling are welcome to take advantage of this excellent training opportunity. The focus of the workshop is on the refinement of teaching and paddling skills and on expanding your knowledge of sea kayaking and paddle sports in general. You will be given instruction on instructing all strokes and maneuvers that you later will be expected to teach if you elect to attend the ICE. We will use videotape review and critique to assist you in your learning process. This process should provide you with a benchmark from which to evaluate the level of your own skill and knowledge, and help you to identify those areas where you need work before attending the ICE.
The purpose of the ICE is to evaluate the candidate in each of the areas covered in the IDW. This process is an exam and you should come with proficient paddling ability and teaching ability. Sea Kayak Georgia offers pre exam training to get you to the level you wish to certify. Participation in the ICE does not guarantee certification.
The ICE is designed to evaluate the instructor candidate regarding their skills as an instructor at the level of their certification. Each candidate must be proficient in:
1) a general knowledge of paddle sport; to include the technical knowledge of coastal kayaking and equipment with elements of history and safety
2) teaching ability; which includes the appropriate application of interpersonal skills, task/group management, modeling and feed-back skills, the use of standardized terminology, technical understanding and the ability to break down skills and concepts into their component parts;
3) on-water skills, to include demonstrated proficiency in maneuvers, strokes, braces, rescues, towing and the Eskimo roll, an acceptable level of comfort in variable conditions and an incorporation of the skills you will teach into your own paddling style.
Prerequisites:
All levels must have taken an Instructor Development Workshop
The road to becoming an Instructor takes a lot of practice and planning. We are here to assist you in every step of your process. Please call us so that we can help guide you to success.
Why take and IDW or ICE at Sea Kayak Georgia? We have many years of paddling experience under our kayaks. Our facility on Tybee Island offers an unparelled experience in kayak outfitting, boat and gear selection and paddling waters. We have two classrooms on site, boat and gear storage and rental, showers and offer transportation to and from the launch sites. If you have a group we can work with local rental companies to help find an economical lodging solution, we can also assist individuals with lodging opportunities. Our local tide range of six to nine feet offers world class tide, current, surf and estuary paddling opportunities. We are out there every day and know and understand the best places to go and when. This local knowledge along with our level of training within the American Canoe Association offers you the advantage of having the best training possible. Ronnie Kemp is an ACA Level 5 Instructor Trainer and will illuminate the path to your best teaching self.
Mentorships and Long Term Development
ACA SUP Instructor YOGA Endorsement: For those of you who are already ACA SUP Instructors and certified Yoga Instructors we offer the ACA SUP Instructor Yoga endorsement. This one day course reviews ACA syllabus for beginner yoga students, safety issues, anchoring systems and best practices. The course can also be spread over two days at four hours each, followed by a practice yoga session each day.
Information for Instructor Candidates
Workshop Times, Costs, and Other Considerations
The Course will begin at 8:30 am at Sea Kayak Georgia, 1102 Hwy 80 Tybee Island, GA 31328.
Students should be present with notes and materials and ready to begin promptly at 8:30 am.
Please call us for pricing.
A number of reference materials and charts of the local area will be available for your use. Rental boats will be available for those unable to bring their own.The fee does not include membership in the ACA, and the Safety Education & Instruction Committee, the required ACA Instructor Manual or materials for construction of your visual aids.
Payment in full is required to reserve a space in workshops and evaluations and is non-refundable. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your payment and reservation have been made we will send you a copy of the course syllabus and topic assignments.
We do travel to other destinations to run courses when invited by a host organization. Please contact us regarding pricing and details.
Participant Responsibilities
You will need to do some academic preparation. You will be assigned topics for classroom, on-water and on-land presentations. Your greatest challenge will be to sort through all the information available, decide what is most relevant, then present it in an interesting, organized way within the given time constraints.
When possible, you should make your presentations “experiential” in nature. Use activities, visual aids or other methods to engage your audience through as many sensory channels as you can. It’s true the old proverb “What I hear I forget. What I see I remember. What I do I understand.”
1) Research the topic using whatever resources you have available.
2) Prepare an outline of your presentation. Email your outlines ahead of the course date just to confirm that you are on track.
3) Practice giving your presentations before you arrive. It is the only sure way to know if your 10 minute presentation is really a 20 minute one that will carry over into someone else’s time.
4) Use the “intro, three main points, conclusion” method. Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.
Candidates should put some thought into preparing yourself for the process of giving and receiving feedback. After presentations, instructor candidates will be evaluated on the content (information presented) and process (teaching technique, style, etc.) of their lesson. This is designed to facilitate the growth of the candidate as an instructor. You will be asked to provide accurate and meaningful feedback to others, and to receive the same from them.
The Open Water IDW is not a course for beginners, but you are NOT required to be a master sea kayaker to attend. You must possess a reliable roll to complete the Level 4 ICE, but a roll is not required to attend the IDW.
When considering becoming an instructor candidate recognize the process. The process includes candidates who value instruction and have taken the appropriate training and assessment courses to prepare them to gain the maximum amount from the IDW & ICE. Sea Kayak Georgia offers training at all levels and also offers customized instruction to fine tune your skills and specifically prepare you for succeeding at the IDW & ICE. Mere participation does not guarantee certification.
What To Bring
Sea Kayak w/ proper flotation (front and rear bulkheads are highly recommended)
Paddle float and bilge pump
Primary paddle and a spare
Deck Compass (ICE)
First Aid Kit
Boat Repair Kit
Spray skirt
PFD
Dry suit and/or wet suit (cold water periods only)
Tow system
Signal Devices
Emergency Equipment: emergency shelter, storm cag, whistle, bivvy bag, windproof lighter, thermos with a hot drink (or the ability to make a hot drink), emergency food
Water Bottle
Appropriate footwear
Notebook and pen(s)
Waterproof shell top and rain/paddling pants
Change of casual clothes for classroom time
We our amazing customers
Sea Kayak Georgia
1102 Hwy 80
Tybee Island, GA 31328
ph: 912 786 8732
