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. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or by email at mike@ckapco.com if you have any questions.

The L2 River Canoe Skills Workshop will consist of two days of specific training in River Canoe strokes, maneuvers, rescues, safety and on water management. 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.

The course venue will be on moving water on rivers up to and including class I sections.

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

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.

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

The course venue will be on moving water on rivers up to and including class I sections.

Students who participate for all 4 days and who meet ALL ACA criteria, will be awarded the ACA L2 River Canoe Instructor certificate. Enrollment is also open for people who are focused primarily on skills development. This course will be co-instructed with Tom Buckley. Please contact Mike at (703)850-1257 or email mike@ckapco.com for details.