Kayaking is a sport that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and abilities. But some instruction is needed before entering into the sport recreationally or competitively. Kayak instructors work across the United States to educate people on the skills and safety necessary to participate in the sport.
American Canoe Association
The American Canoe Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1880 that serves as the governing body for all paddling sports in the United States. The ACA focuses on educating individuals about the various paddling sports such as canoeing and kayaking, preserving waterways to ensure safe paddling environments and promoting both the recreational and competitive areas of the sport. The ACA is the top certification organization for kayak instructors. It offers workshops and examinations to ensure that instructors grasp the concepts and skills necessary to be effective teachers.
Instructor Development Workshops
Instructor development workshops focus on orienting participants to the teaching styles and skills of the American Canoe Association. Workshop topics include technical knowledge, paddling skills, teaching techniques and rescue and safety skills. Attention is given to each individual participant by workshop instructors to advance both their paddling and teaching skills. Students must also participate in mock teaching lessons on both dry land and open-water settings. Successful completion of an instructor development workshop is required by the ACA to sit for an instructor certification examination.
Instructor Certification Examination
Instructor certification examinations are required to become an ACA-certified kayaking instructor. The examination is the last evaluation of the candidate before achieving instructor status. The ACA sets a standard that successful candidates must be able to "perform all skills at 100 percent competency 70 percent of the time" to pass the certification exam. The examination can be administered on its own or combined with an instructor development workshop. Combination of the two components is considered an instructor certification workshop.
Certification Requirements and Process
ACA workshops and certification examinations are offered across the United States by ACA-certified instructor trainers. There are minimum eligibility requirements to participate in these programs. Candidates must be at least age 18 and members of both the American Canoe Association and the Safety Education and Instruction Council. Candidates must participate in an instructor development workshop and an instructor certification examination either individually or in a combined format. Additionally, the ACA requires that instructors obtain and maintain current certification in either first aid/CPR or wilderness first aid for the age group they will be instructing.
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