Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking is a high level in the ACA Coastal Kayak discipline where coastal kayakers refine and apply their skills and knowledge to a more exposed paddling environment. The Open Water Coastal Kayaking instructor certification program is an upgrade opportunity for currently certified Level 3: Coastal Kayak Instructors. As continuing education for certified instructors, the focus is the development of teaching methods and working in more challenging conditions. The Level 4 Instructor Criteria is cumulative, building upon the Level 3 Instructor Criteria.
Passing an Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment is required before the start of instructor development. By the time of evaluation, candidates are expected to exceed the Level 4 skills and technical knowledge, including the “developing skills,” as identified in the Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment.
Instructor Candidates will focus on the coaching aspect of developing kayaking skills and knowledge for those who wish to learn to kayak in conditions up to and including Level 4. In general, Level 4 instructors incorporate a wide range of instructional frameworks and create learning progressions based on student readiness and environment. Increased awareness enhances the Level instructor’s ability to observe and analyze student performance and provide feedback to optimize various techniques. Successful candidates will teach, lead, and manage groups in open water environments where the conditions may limit verbal communication. Level 4 certification workshops focus on planning, designing, and delivering of continued learning experiences and multi-day programs, as well as the roles and responsibilities of an ACA instructor.
Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) - Minimum 4 days (32 hours).
Instructor candidates must demonstrate proficiency in 3 of the following 4 conditions at some time during the certification workshop to receive certification. The selected venue is to have regular access to a safe landing and be within 2 nautical miles from shore:
Conditions do not need to be simultaneously present, and areas of escape from conditions must be available. The training venue shall provide a variety of leadership environments, such as regions with boat traffic, surf zones, tidal races, and rocky headlands.
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 6.