ACA Canoe Instructor Certification Workshops

Level 3-4 Whitewater Canoeing (solo and tandem)
Golden, CO

QUESTIONS:  Contact Jeff Oxenford, (303) 917-5382, joxenford@comcast.net

DATE AND COST

Cost: $550 (or see options below)

May 3-7, 2024

Classes will be 8 AM to approximately 5 PM each day. There will be one or two evening sessions, until 7 PM. 

Options

• Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) – May 3-5, $375 – Participate in the first three days of the class.

• Instructor Update (depending on availability) – Three days (May 3-4, and third day based on level of certification), $375

TENATIVE LOCATIONS:  To be determined (depending on water levels).

May 3-4 – Bear Creek/ Soda Lakes, Morrison

May 5 – Location TBD (preferably S. Platte by Deckers)

May 6-7 – Clear Creek in Golden

May 4 and 6 – Golden, CO – Tentative evening sessions

Course Description:  The American Canoe Association (ACA) has one of the best established paddlesport instruction programs anywhere in the world.   The courses are comprehensive, but allow enough flexibility for individual teaching and paddling styles.  The main benefit to taking the course is improving your understanding of paddling technique and theory, so you can paddle more efficiently and teach more effectively.  A secondary benefit is the development process which can give you structured feedback on becoming an effective instructor.  A third benefit are the significant insurance, liability, and networking benefits of ACA certification.  Instructor development workshops are very rewarding and enjoyable, because of the opportunity for idea exchange. 

This is an instructor development workshop and an instructor certification exam (IDW/ICE) for up to Level 4 Whitewater Canoeing. ACA courses are structured for several levels of certification for instance: Level 1 Introduction to Canoeing, Level 2 Essentials of River Paddling, Level 3 River Canoe, and L4 Whitewater.  However, this is no guarantee that you will earn certification.  Not everyone will receive “Full” instructor certification, especially if this is their first exposure to formal paddling instruction.   No worries!  There are means for upgrading within about a year

INSTRUCTOR TRAINERS

Jeff Oxenford: Jeff is an ACA Level 4 Whitewater Open Canoe Instructor Trainer and L2 ACA River Canoe Instructor Trainer Educator. He has been paddling and teaching canoeing for 40 years. He has worked with all level of paddlers from recreational to racers, adults, and children.

R.J. Forth – RJ is the chair of the ACA Canoe Discipline Committee. He is an ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue and Level 4 Whitewater Canoe Instructor Trainer. He is based out of Joplin, Missouri.

PRE-COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

1. Join ACA online Membership  ($40 for ACA individual membership and $30 for instructor membership in the Safety Education Instruction Committee, SEIC).  Bring ACA number to class. Review the instruction section of the ACA website, including course registration and reporting, educational resources, and insurance information.

• Review Course Outline and Instructor Criteria documents for L1, L2, L3 and L4 River Canoeing. 

• ACA Instructors Manual:    Student must purchase – Required by ACA.  $15 from http://www.americancanoe.org.

• Paddling equipment. Bring a boat and equipment you will use for teaching.  Equipment is not provided.

• CPR/First Aid Certification. You must have current CPR and First Aid certification to be an instructor. Proof of certification will be asked for at the first class. If you cannot obtain certification in time for the class, you will receive a continuation. You will then have up to 1 year to correct this deficiency to receive your certification.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The first day will focus on strokes and maneuvers, safety and rescue, and teaching. The first day will be in tandem canoes on flatwater. The second day will start with you teaching back what you’ve learned Day 1 and then shift into solo canoes on flatwater. Days 3 – 5 we will move to a moving water/ whitewater site.  We will have an evening classroom session (most likely May 4 and 6) where we will review videos and cover additional classroom topics.

Each day you will be assigned teaching topics to deliver to the group. These assignments help you assimilate paddling information so that you are prepared to teach, plus they are a big part of our development and exam. These are rewarding but long days, so arriving rested is recommended.

Camping. There is camping available at Bear Creek Lake Park. Reservations are required.

Weather.  Water temperatures of 40 to 60 degrees (it will be cold!) and air temps of 40 to 80 degrees (As always, be prepared for cold, rainy weather). You will be asked to get in the water most days, so be prepared. Drysuits are strongly encouraged! Wet suits at a minimum for in water portions.

Overall Health:  Participants should be in good physical health and should be in condition to paddle for long hours.   Class days are long yet invigorating.

Additional Costs:  Students provide their own meals and transportation during class. Participants are expected to provide their own boat and gear, unless they make special arrangements in advance.

• There is a $10/day fee for Bear Creek Park
• There is a parking fee at the S. Platte River
• There is a possible $10 fee for pool usage (TBD)

Meals: You will be responsible for all of your own meals.  Please pack a lunch for each day plus any snacks you need to get you through the day and after the river. We often eat lunch on the river, so pack your food in a small dry bag please do so.  Also, don’t forget a water bottle.

What to bring with you?

To be certified

Certification requires instructors to:

• Be able to independently complete all skills, activities, and rescues listed in the appropriate ACA Certification Course Outline and Instructor Criteria documents
• Be able to effectively communicate, including effective verbal communication
• Be able to manage all personal care and mobility independently
• You must be certified in First Aid and CPR
• You must be 18 years of age
• Be or become a voting member of the ACA
• Must become an member of the SEIC

To have the best chance in receiving certification, candidates should arrive proficient in most of the skills on the course outlines before attending. Throughout the certification process, candidates will be instructed and evaluated in the areas below.

• Technical Knowledge – General knowledge of the ACA, canoeing and the river environment.
• Paddling Skills – Technical proficiency, including personal paddling skills and comfort in a variety of moving water conditions.
• Teaching Ability – Good physical modeling, the ability to break down maneuvers and skills into their components, clear, concise, organized and thorough presentations aimed at the beginner paddler, people skills and general professionalism
• Safety Awareness and Technical Rescue Skills- Due to the fact that water safety is one of the ACA primary goals this section is weighted very heavily.

Please bear in mind that just because you have paid your class fees and attended the class, you are not guaranteed certification. You do have one year after the class to work on any skills and be retested by me or another instructor trainer.

QUESTIONS:  Contact Jeff Oxenford, (303) 917-5382, joxenford@comcast.net