Course Description
This Paddle Canada Certified Basic Kayak Instructor course is a 3-day coverage of the demonstration quality paddling skills, appropriate teaching techniques and administration required to deliver a high quality basic kayaking course to new paddlers. It’s your starting point in Paddle Canada’s SK Instructor stream and as a foundation for those wishing to be an effective novice kayak paddling instructor.
The course is based from Naturally Superior Adventures/Rock Island Lodge with theory sessions provided from the comfort of the lodge. Course accommodations are comfy tent sites on our beach or alternatively, rooms are available (at an additional cost) at Rock Island Lodge. Course includes our fleet of fully equipped sea kayaks to try out, paddling tops and wetsuits.
A detailed Instructor’s manual is provided prior to course commencement.
Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions.
Course Includes
- Certified Paddle Canada Instructors
- All Meals and Snacks
- Fully Outfitted Coast Guard Approved Kayak (We have a variety of styles of kayaks and canoes that you may try out during your course.)
- Beach Camping Accommodations
- Course Materials
Extra Course Options
- Meal Adjustment (contact us if you wish to bring your own meals)
- Certification Fee
Certification Notes
As a successful candidate you will be certified to conduct Paddle Canada Introduction to Kayaking Skills courses and certify paddlers at that level. You will also be certified to assist a Level-1 Instructor on a Level-1 Skills course.
Candidates wishing to be certified as Paddle Canada Instructors will have to register with Paddle Canada (and pay their fee) in advance of the course.
Prerequisites
- At least 16 years of age.
- Sea Kayak Level-1 Skills certification.
- Current certification in first aid (14 hours) with CPR.
- Teaching experience: none.
- Significant paddling experience in a wide variety of conditions and locations.
- Candidates are expected to be able to perform all safety and skill items to a level and confidence superior to that of a student taking the Basic Kayak skill course.
Conditions
Course Content
General Content Information
This course focuses on:
- Strong on-water review of basic paddling skills to ensure technical understanding and demonstration quality.
- Learning and applying the Paddle Canada IDEAS approach to “teach” on/off water course criteria.
- Plenty of practice teaching of course skills and theory (with feedback).
Safety Topics
- Wet Exit
- Retrieving a swamped kayak
- Assisted Rescue
- Rafting
- Hand of God
Theory Topics
- Boat design
- Boat outfitting
- Clothing
- Safety equipment
- Injury prevention
- Equipment care
- Kayaking resources
- Paddles
Paddling Skills
- Lifting and carrying a kayak
- Forward and reverse paddling
- Draw stroke
- Forward and reverse sweep strokes
- Low brace
Teaching and Learning
The Instructor candidate will develop a good understanding of:
- How one learns.
- Conditions that encourage & promote learning.
- Skill, knowledge and attitude areas of learning.
- Goals and objectives.
- Lesson planning and organization.
- Class management.
- Group dynamics.
- Evaluation techniques.
- Instructor behaviour and attitudes.
- How to plan and organize a course.
- Paddling activities and games.
- Teaching strategies.
Course Administration
The Instructor Candidate will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics:
- Paddle Canada policies, programs, accreditation and re-certification.
- Organization and management of a course.
- Other germane institutions and programs available in Canada.
- Overview of resources available in Canada.
- Legal and liability issues affecting the instructor.
- Safety procedures, hazard recognition, waterfront regulations and safety equipment.
- Equipment choice, teaching sites and areas, and scheduling.
- Development of appropriate teaching progression.
- Kayaking activities, games and events.
- Staffing and staff management.
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