Level 2: Essentials of Sit-On-Top River Kayaking Instructor Criteria

Course Overview

Participants should have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills commensurate with this level of certification prior to presenting themselves for evaluation as Instructor Candidates at an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). This course prepares the instructor to teach students using sit-on-top (SOT) kayaks only and the curriculum should highlight this limitation. Students should understand that rescuing decked kayaks requires additional and separate instruction.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach across the full curriculum; during the development workshop and certification exam this will be assessed through at least two presentations in each category (one prepared, one impromptu), from which overall teaching competence will be evaluated.

Candidates are highly encouraged to use the Skills Assessment and Guide document for preparation and clarification on all required skills necessary for successful completion of a certification course. All candidates must be able to perform, role model, teach and troubleshoot all skills in the document to pass the certification exam.

Note: **This certification does not encompass all the criteria of Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking and thus does not by itself, qualify the instructor to teach that level nor the Kayak Flatwater Safety and Rescue skills courses/assessments. ****

Course Prerequisites

Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Be a current ACA member
Understands and acts in accordance with ACA's Code of Conduct
Completion of the appropriate level skills course, assessment course, or possess equivalent skills

Course Duration

Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - minimum 3 days (24 hours).

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Moving water on rivers rated up to and including class I.

A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+” respectively.

Course Size

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

For additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 7.

Instructor Trainer

This certification course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking (or higher) ACA Instructor Trainers or Instructor Trainer Educators.

Succeeding Courses

Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor
Level 3: River Kayaking
Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking
Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking
Note: The use of non-spray skirted kayaks in conditions above Level 2 is not appropriate.

General Requirements for all ACA Certification Candidates

Be at least 18 years old
Demonstrate a general knowledge of paddlesports and the ACA
Obtain a copy of the ACA Instructor’s Manual
Demonstrate a general knowledge and purpose of the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC), ACA Code of Conduct, and ACA’s Equity and Access Initiatives
Successfully complete an Instructor Certification Workshop (combined ICW or IDW and ICE)
Upon successful completion, register with the Safety Education and Instruction Council
Have and maintain venue-appropriate first aid and age-appropriate CPR
Demonstrate the ability to appropriately perform, model, and teach all of the following material, unassisted, in the appropriate venue
Demonstrate the ability to appropriately perform, model, and teach all of the material contained within the official ACA skills course and assessment course outlines corresponding to their level of certification and all levels below, if applicable

Certification Maintenance Requirements

Teach a minimum of two courses that meet ACA standards within the four-year certification period and properly report the courses using the ACA Course Management System (CMS). At least one course must be at their highest level of certification
Complete an Instructor Update, at the highest level of certification, during the four-year certification period
Maintain ACA membership and SEIC registration annually
Maintain appropriate CPR and first aid certification for the duration of certification