In collaboration with the ACA National Office, the SEIC Board and the RAC are excited to offer Multi-Craft Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Updates in 2024.

These instructor updates will be formatted:

• 1 day for current updating instructors

• 2 days for expired instructors to be re-certified via an ICE (this is a special circumstance approved by SEIC)

Mike Aronoff, along with several other Instructor Trainer and Instructor Trainer Educators have been selected to provide these multi-craft updates. This is an opportunity for current instructors as well as those whose certifications have expired to be updated. Visit www.americancanoe.org for more information or email MIke at mike@ckapco.com.

This progressive Instructor Certification Workshop will consist of five days of specific training in River Canoe strokes, maneuvers, rescues, safety and on water management.

L1 Introduction to Canoeing and Essentials of River Canoeing: We will also focus on forward stroke techniques to paddle farther and faster with less effort; edging and turning techniques for efficiency, and the latest rescue methods for yourself and others.

L2 River Canoeing Course Overview: The River Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class I rapids by catching seddies, making peel outs and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a base level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted river or whitewater tandem / solo canoes. You may certify as tandem, solo, or both.

L3/L4 Whitewater Canoeing Course Overview: The Whitewater Canoeing course is for canoeists interested in learning the skills required to efficiently paddle on rivers with Class II to III rapids by catching smaller eddies, making sharp peel outs, and effective ferries. Participants at this level aspire to attain a higher level of canoeing skills, improve the quality of their strokes and maneuvers, and increase their river rescue knowledge. This course is appropriate for properly outfitted whitewater tandem and/or solo canoes. Certification can be tandem, solo, or both.

Students who participate for all 3 days and who meet ALL ACA criteria, may be awarded the ACA L1 River Canoe Instructor certificate. Those who participate in all 4 days and who meet all ACA criteria, may be awarded the ACA L2 River Canoe Instructor certificate. Those who participate in all days and meet all ACA criteria may be awarded the ACA L3 or L4 certificate. This workshop will be co-led by Brendan Fitzpatrick, ACA L4 Instructor Trainer. Enrollment is also open for people who are focused primarily on skills development and/or updates. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or email mike@ckapco.com for details.

The Essentials of Canoe Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably canoe on lakes and other calm protected flatwater setting.

Fundamentally, we expect that 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.

This workshop may also be used as an instructor update and will be conducted with Co-Lead Instructor Steven Henkind. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or by email at mike@ckapco.com if you have any questions.

This progressive workshop is aimed at providing instruction techniques for skills at the Level 1, “Introduction to Kayak”, Level 2, “Essentials of Kayak Touring” and Level 3, “Coastal Kayaking”. We will also provide the training for you to be able to teach the curriculum with strokes, maneuvers, and rescues. In addition to the paddling skills and instruction techniques, we will also cover trip leading, basic navigation, tides, tidal currents, and other topic specific to the respective certifications in this discipline.

Although we expect to improve your skills and coach you for better performance, our primary purpose is to help you learn to teach others while having fun and being safe on the water.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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. Mike at (703)850-1257 to register or if you have any questions.

The River Kayaking course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings. Goals are:

• Safety: To safely paddle on whitewater, perform self rescue and respond to emergencies that arise. 

• Enjoyment: To become aware of paddling opportunities and the rewards of lifetime participation in paddling. 

• Skills: To acquire the skills to safely and enjoyably paddle a kayak on whitewater.

Fundamentally, we expect that 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.

The Essentials of River Kayaking course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on gentle rivers.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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

Note that this workshop is conducted over two consecutive weekends. May 14-15 and May 21-22.

Please contact Mike at (703) 850-1257 or by email at mike@ckapco.com. for additional information.

This progressive workshop is aimed at providing instruction techniques for skills at the Level 1, “Introduction to Kayak”, Level 2, “Essentials of Kayak Touring” and Level 3, “Coastal Kayaking”. We will also provide the training for you to be able to teach the curriculum with strokes, maneuvers, and rescues. In addition to the paddling skills and instruction techniques, we will also cover trip leading, basic navigation, tides, tidal currents, and other topic specific to the respective certifications in this discipline.

Although we expect to improve your skills and coach you for better performance, our primary purpose is to help you learn to teach others while having fun and being safe on the water.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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. Mike at (703)850-1257 to register or if you have any questions.

This course is being conducted in collaboration with Paddlesports of Naples and Jay Rose, Owner.

This progressive workshop is aimed at providing instruction techniques for skills at the Level 1, “Introduction to Kayak”, Level 2, “Essentials of Kayak Touring” and Level 3, “Coastal Kayaking”. We will also provide the training for you to be able to teach the curriculum with strokes, maneuvers, and rescues. In addition to the paddling skills and instruction techniques, we will also cover trip leading, basic navigation, tides, tidal currents, and other topic specific to the respective certifications in this discipline.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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.

Although we expect to improve your skills and coach you for better performance, our primary purpose is to help you learn to teach others while having fun and being safe on the water. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 to register or if you have any questions.

The Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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 .

This course is being conducted in collaboration with Gulf Coast Kayak, Matlacha, Florida.

The Essentials of River Kayaking course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on gentle rivers.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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

Please contact Mike at (703) 850-1257 or by email at mike@ckapco.com. for additional information.

The Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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 .

Essentials of River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress. Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who anticipate paddling in moving water but not whitewater.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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.

The Essentials of Kayak Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably kayak on lakes, calm protected ocean environments, and other flatwater settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that participants will 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 .

The Essentials of Canoe Touring course is designed to teach beginner paddlers to safely and enjoyably canoe on lakes and other calm protected flatwater settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that 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.

The River Kayaking course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings.

Fundamentally, we expect that 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).

Please email Mike at mike@ckapco.com or call (703)850-1257 for more information .

This is Part II of a course which will be conducted over four days. Part I will be conducted on May 8-9, 2021. This instructor certification course covers Level 1 Introduction to Canoe and Level 2 Essentials of River Canoe.

Refer to the ACA website for a more detail overview and instructor criteria.

ACA Instructor Certification Workshops (ICWs) are the next step for individuals wishing to teach paddling technique and skill refinement to students. : The River Kayaking course is a program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings. Skills taught include safe paddling in white water , self rescue and responding to certain emergency situations that may arise.