Assessment Course Overview

This ACA Assessment Course is designed to evaluate your ability to perform all of the skills listed and demonstrate an appropriate level of paddling knowledge. This assessment course provides the opportunity for you to receive documentation of having achieved this level of paddling ability.

Assessment Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Be a current ACA Member
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• Completion of an ACA Level 2: Essentials of Coastal Kayak Fishing Skills Course, or posses equivalent skills.

Course Location / Accessible Venues

A location that offers calm and protected waters with constant access to landing areas within 0.5 nautical miles of shore. Conditions during the assessment shall be:

• Winds less than 10 knots
• Waves less than 1 foot (0.3 meters)
• Shore break less than 1 foot (0.3 meters)
• Current less than 1 knot

Course Size

5 Participants: 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 10.

Instructor

This assessment course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators with the ACA Paddlesports Fishing Endorsement.

Course Outline

The sequence of assessment should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location, time allowance, and kayak being used. Participants must be able to perform all strokes, maneuvers, rescues, and skills in the appropriate venue. In addition, the participant must demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge for this level of skill assessment.

Introduction, Expectations, and Logistics

• Welcome, introductions, paperwork
• Student and Instructor course expectations and limitations
• Explain assessment procedure
• Course itinerary and site logistics
• Review waiver, assumption of risk, challenge by choice, medical disclosure
• About the ACA
• PFD policy (always wear on water)
• Appropriate personal behavior
  • No alcohol / substance abuse
  • Proper etiquette on and off the water
  • Respect private property
  • Practice Leave No Trace ethics

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

• Group debrief/individual feedback
• Course limitations
• Importance of First Aid and CPR
• Importance of additional instruction, practice, experience
• Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
• Life sport / paddling options
• Local paddling groups / clubs
• Handouts / reference materials
• ACA membership
• Course evaluations
• Assessment cards (If applicable)

Assessment Criteria Checklist

Participant Name: ________________________________

Participant ACA Membership #: __________________

Course Venue: _____________________________________

Course Date(s): ____________________________________

Y = Meets Standard, N = Below Standard, DNO = Did Not Observe

Participant must be able to perform all strokes and maneuvers, rescues, and skills in the appropriate venue. In addition, the participant must demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge for this skill assessment level.