Adaptive Paddling Workshop (APW) Instructor Endorsement Criteria

Course Outline

Designed for instructors, outfitters, recreation program managers, trip leaders, rehabilitation specialists, and those who want to include people with physical disabilities in paddlesport programs, Adaptive Paddling Workshops teach how to compensate for a paddler’s loss of function due to disability and how to adapt equipment and instruction, focusing on the paddler’s ability. Adaptive Paddling Workshops include hands-on learning in both a classroom and in calm, protected waters.

Course Prerequisites

Acknowledgement of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Competent Level 1 skills in paddlecraft used for the course.
To obtain a certificate of completion, you must be a current ACA member.
To obtain the endorsement, you must be currently certified in an ACA paddlesport discipline.

Course Duration

Minimum 2 days 16 (hours).

Course Location / Accessible Venues

A swimming pool is preferred. Otherwise L1 conditions: flat water, protected from wind, waves, and outside boat traffic, with a current less than 0.5 knots, and within swimming distance of shore. Final venue selection is determined by the Instructor Trainer.

Course Size

Maximum of 5 Candidates per 1 Instructor Trainer; with an additional Instructor Trainer or Endorsed Instructor, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of Candidates permitted is 10.
For Tandem Craft: maximum of 6 Candidates per 1 Instructor Trainer; with an additional Instructor Trainer or Endorsed Instructor, the ratio can be 12 : 2. The maximum number of Candidates permitted is 12.
Minimum of 1 Endorsement / Certificate Candidate present for each paddlesports student with a disability.
Maximum of 3 Endorsement / Certification Candidates present for each paddlesports student with a disability.

Complementary Courses

ACA skills, assessment, certification, and other endorsement courses, including the Advanced Communications Workshop (ACW).

Instructor Trainer

This endorsement may be offered by an Adaptive Paddling Instructor Trainer or Educator.