Wave Paddler - Charleston, SC

ACA Level 2 Essentials of SUP Instructor Certification Workshop
2023-07-20 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | St Augustine
Based in St Augustine Florida in conjunction with St Johns County Recreation Department

Oceans '23
2023-05-19 08:00 - 2023-05-21 17:00
Oceans ’23 will take place from Fort Caswell, Southport, NC. We will be staying at Fort Caswell in climate-controlled Sandpiper Cottage. Whatever your current comfort level, a regular ocean sea kayak surfer, or if you are simply aspiring to become a more competent sea kayaker able to handle a wider range of conditions, this event is for you. We will have the ability to keep you in protected flatwater to match your development level, introduce folks to smaller waves inside the mouth of the Cape Fear River, or venture out onto the Atlantic Ocean. As always, the weather controls the ocean’s moods, so we don’t know exactly what that will look like until we’re standing on the beach. Groups will be divided, and go out with instructors based upon their skill levels and interests.

Bay Area Rough Water Rodeo
2023-05-12 - 2023-05-15 | Fort Baker, CA, United States
We’re bringing back the Rough Water Rodeo in 2023 as an East Coast meets West Coast extravaganza!
The Cali Collective team is excited to welcome guest coaches Ashley Brown (Wavepaddler), Jeff Atkins (Wavepaddler), and Jeff Laxier (Liquid Fusion Kayaking) at this year’s Rough Water Rodeo in addition to the core Saltwater Crew.
We’ll spend four glorious days adventuring and honing skills in the best venues the Bay Area has to offer. Every day, students will have the opportunity to choose either a spicy intermediate/advanced environment or a more mild, yet complementary, advanced beginner environment based on their comfort, the conditions of the day, and individual goals.
Potential Schedule (Final Based on Conditions):

Day 1: Surf Zone and/or Performance Surfing
Day 2: Intro to Rock Gardening and/or Rock Gardening Skills & Safety
Day 3: Blending Strokes and/or Intermediate Tide Race Play, Rocks and/or Surf
Day 4: Open Coastal Journey or Grand Surf Safari (Can be adapted as a half day)

This 4-day long-weekend aims to meet your goals and needs at a variety of levels, taking advantage of a strong coaching team to challenge yourself and achieve new breakthroughs.
Whether you’re from out of town and have always wanted to paddle in the Bay Area or you’re a local excited to work with new coaches and fresh techniques, this clinic is designed for you.
Prerequisites: Previous surf zone and rough water experience strongly recommended (Intro to Surf Zone, Intro to Tides & Currents, Intro to Rock Gardening). Students should have good bracing skills and be comfortable with wet exits, as well as self and assisted rescues. A roll is encouraged but NOT required. Students who have successfully completed an ACA L3 skills assessment or higher will get the most out of this event (and probably have the most fun)
Location & Timing: Day 1 will likely take place in Bolinas, Half Moon Bay, or Dillon Beach, with Days 2 and 3 launching from Horseshoe Cove. Day 4, we will adjust location based on the needs of each group and the day’s conditions.
Pricing: $680 for all 4 days (max students 20) (There is no two- day option this year)
Please Note: Cost does not include lodging, meals, or kayak and gear rental. We offer boat and gear rentals for students and can recommend lodging options.
Please make sure you review our cancellation policy before registering.
Lodging: Lodging is not included. We’re happy to help recommend lodging options and also connect participants who are interested in sharing lodging.
Please Note: Cost does not include kayak and gear rental. We offer boat and gear rentals for students.
Questions? Email Laura at laura@cwwcollective.com.
Your Coaches
Jeff Atkins
Jeff is an ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor, L3 Instructor Trainer Educator, and an L2 Canoe Essentials Instructor Trainer. After a successful career as a Park Ranger, Jeff is now retired from public service, but continues to work as an outdoor industry professional. He loves coaching and leading trips. As an Instructor for the NC Outward Bound School, he leads expeditions around several parts of the USA. Jeff also holds several certifications including Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and Coastal Master Naturalist for SC. Paddlesports is his passion and he loves to spread the “infectious” recreation activity to others. He believes in having fun and helping others to expand their confidence and skills by while learning. “There is nothing like the feeling of seeing a person smile because they just did something they didn’t think they could do.”
Ashley Brown
Ashley Brown is the recipient of the ACA 2019 Excellence in Instruction Award! She lives in Charleston SC, a beautiful place to paddle. She is passionate about teaching kayaking at all levels and challenging people to test their limits while learning and having a ton of fun. She holds the prestigious Level 5 American Canoe Association Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification and is also an ACA L2 Kayak IT, and L4 Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer, Canoe Instructor, SUP Instructor. She is an Instructor at many symposiums, mostly on the east coast. She loves to travel, learn from her students, and enjoys welcoming guests from all over the world to paddle in beautiful Charleston waterways, especially the “edge of America”, the Atlantic Ocean off Folly Beach. As much as she loves to paddle, Ashley loves to teach. Her dedication to teaching brought her to the College of Charleston, where she has been developing a university-level curriculum in Kayaking and SUP. Ashley serves as an Adjunct Professor of Coastal Kayaking, Instructor Development, and Stand Up Paddleboard in the Health Education and Human Performance Dept.
Amber Champion
Amber Champion has been adventuring since the day she was born, but has been heavily involved with Sea Kayaking since 2015 & Paddleboarding since 2016. She began her sea kayaking career working as a guide on the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays, Australia. From there she decided the recreation was a great way to access remote locations away from big vessels and to find hidden gems that most people wouldn’t know existed. In 2016 she started working for Blue Dog Kayaking ltd. This is where her life of instruction began, she was drawn to the world of teaching when she realized that it gave individuals the potential to paddle away with the skills and abilities to go and explore without a guide. Facilitating learning environments that empowers and builds confidence in individuals became a new passion, and the desire to get more highly trained became a priority. In the past few years Amber has taught at numerous national and international symposiums, gained her Paddle Canada L4 Instructors & L2 Instructor Trainers certification and become the youngest and the only female to hold that certification.
This past year, Amber ran the first ever all women’s L4 skills course for Paddle Canada in history, something she dreamt about since she joined the organization! She is driven to get to the top and offer more opportunities for learning for everyone. When Amber isn’t instructing she spends her time surfing her paddleboard or working as a multi-day sea kayak guide in the Abel Tasman National Park, in New Zealand.
Jeff Laxier
In 1996, Jeff started teaching kayaking. A lifelong waterman and nature lover – teaching kayaking has become a way for Jeff to share his passion for water and nature with others. In 2005, Jeff founded Liquid Fusion Kayaking. Liquid Fusion Kayaking is an instructional kayak company based on the North Coast of California. From dry and mild to wet and wild, Jeff and his partner Cate Hawthorne instruct and guide sea kayaking, whitewater river kayaking, surf kayaking, rock gardening/rock hopping, and nature history tours. With 20 plus years of experience teaching multiple disciplines of kayaking, Jeff has honed his instructional skills for all levels and is a master at skill refinement and application and fun. When not teaching, Jeff is likely to be messing about in kayaks on the sea, running down rivers, or carving waves in the surf.
Jeff is certified by the ACA in Advanced Whitewater Kayaking, Coastal Kayaking, and Surf Kayaking. He is certified with the British Canoe Union (BCU) as a Level 3 Sea Coach and holds a 4 Star award in both surf kayaking and sea kayaking, and a 3 Star award in Canoeing. He is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguarding. A former member of the San Diego Mountain Rescue Team and the U.S. Marine Corps, Jeff has a dedication to exhilarating outdoor activities that know no boundaries.
Mary Ann King
Mary Ann exudes pure joy every time she’s on the water. She is a three-time US kayak polo national champion, and—before she fell in love with sea kayaking—represented the US on the Women’s National Kayak Polo Team at the World Games, Canoe Polo World Championships, and Pan American Kayak Polo Championships. Mary Ann is no stranger to hard work, performance kayaking, and disciplined coaching. She applies her keen sense of observation to provide students with feedback that leads to breakthroughs big and small – all while laughing so hard you forget you’re learning. Mary Ann is an ACA L4 Coastal Kayaking Instructor.
Suzy Matsubara
Suzy loves being on the water whether it’s a mindful paddle through Elkhorn Slough, surfing long and consistent waves in Bolinas, or navigating through rock gardens along Monterey Bay and Big Sur. She started her kayaking career guiding at Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing about four years ago and tenaciously pursued instructor certification, and is currently certified as an L4 Coastal Kayaking Instructor.
She loves kayaking for fun around Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay. Her heart is in guiding, coaching, and instructing in the outdoors. She views kayaking as a spiritual practice, finding great purpose and meaning on the water. During the school year she is an outdoor education teacher for a K-8 school in Monterey. In the summer you can find her guiding and instructing at Elkhorn Slough or on the river whitewater rafting or kayaking.
Laura Zulliger
With over 17 years of coaching experience, Laura is an ACA-certified Level 5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor – the youngest woman to earn this level of certification – and an L4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor.
In addition to sea kayaking, she teaches whitewater kayaking, and surf kayaking. As a coach, Laura draws upon this multidisciplinary approach to give students the skills and confidence needed to experience the waves, rocks and swell of California’s energetic coastline as a playground rather than a battleground. To that end, she is grateful for the opportunity to work with paddlers at every stage of their development. She’s the Saltwater Program Director for California Watersport Collective. When she’s not on the water playing in waves and around rocks, she leads marketing and partnerships for an educational travel company. She’s honored to be on the P&H Kayaks Team and serve as a global ambassador for Kokatat in addition to being on the Mega Surf Kayaks team.

American Canoe Association Level 1/2 Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop
2023-03-16 09:00 - 2023-03-19 17:00 | Galveston, TX
Become a Certified Paddle Instructor
Register
March 16-19, 2023
Artist Boat will be hosting an American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop in Galveston, TX. This is a great course for anyone who leads any type of group on kayaks. You can help them to be better paddlers or teach new paddlers, rescue stranded paddlers, and help them feel more comfortable so they can spend more time enjoying the water. Taught by a highly skilled American Canoe Instructor, Jeff D. Atkins.
Level 1 or Level 2 certifications may be acquired in this course based on skill level. To learn more about these levels, visit the American Canoe Association website at https://americancanoe.org/education/types-of-courses/.
Following successful completion of the course, participants will have professional kayak training and be certified instructors with the American Canoe Association. Yay you!
Learn to:
* Perform paddling skills consistently with demonstration quality
* Demonstrate effective teaching skills
* Demonstrate technical knowledge of paddlesport
* Demonstrate appropriate safety & rescue ability
* Demonstrate effective group/course management and positive interpersonal skills
Questions? Call Artist Boat at (409) 632-0388 or email Kelsey Malan
Held on Galveston Island at Artist Boat’s Kayak Pavilion at the Coastal Heritage Preserve.

Matanzas Inlet Rough Water Workshop
2023-02-26 08:00 - 2023-03-04 17:00 | Matanzas Inlet, FL
Annual Rough Water Workshop in Matanzas, FL.
Instructors Include: Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, James Kesterson, Chris Rezac, and Dale Williams

Bahamas Exploration - Trip is Full
2023-01-23 08:00 - 2023-01-29 17:00 | Eleuthera, Bahamas
Where: Eleuthera, Bahamas Trip 2023
Dates: Arrive January 23, 2023 – Depart: January 29, 2023
Capacity 6 minimum – 10 Maximum
Leader: Jeff Atkins
Costs: = $2250 per person + flights + meals and drinks not eaten at the Island School
50% Deposit due ASAP to lock in place. Final Balance due by December 1, 2022
Cost covers: Airport shuttle to and from The Island School. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner eaten on Campus. Kayaking and snorkeling gear. Boat ride to snorkeling location(s). Shuttle around Eleuthera for a tour.
Not covered: Flights, shuttles outside of the below mentioned, any meals not eaten on Campus, DAN insurance for snorkeling/diving
Cancellation Policy (Events and Classes)
Our event holds limited seating, and many of our [Events/Classes] sell out. For this reason, we request that you cancel by November 1, 2022. There will be a $200 cancellation fee prior to November 1, 2023. After November 1, there are no refunds This will allow us to offer your spot to another [Student/Customer]. You may call us at 843-441-0328 or email between the hours of 8a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time to cancel.
Location: – Eleuthera, Bahamas
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Rock Sound, Eleuthera (RSD) Airport by 4:30 p.m.
Travel to (NAS) Lynden Pindling International Airport and catch a flight from there to (RSD) Rock Sound International using Bahamas Air or Pineapple Air to arrive at 4:15 p.m. I have found it cheaper to book directly through Bahamas Air.
Shuttle will pick us up at the Airport between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: Kayaking trip from exploring the local waterways. Plenty of swimming and beautiful water.
Day 3: Island Tour – Tour around the Island to see local beaches, caves, restaurants, bakery’s etc
Day 4: Kayaking tour
Day 5: Island Tour or kayaking tour
Day6: Snorkeling
Day 7: Depart campus early AM (Estimated departure time of 6:30 a.m.) to catch flights from RSD to NAS.
*** Itinerary is subject to change due to weather and logistics needs.

The Gathering at Rehoboth Bay/Cape Henlopen
2022-08-26 08:00 - 2022-08-28 17:00 | Camp Arrowhead, 35268 Homestead Way, Lewes, DE, 19958, United States
Instructors: Jeff Atkins, Mike Hamilton, Rick Wiebush
The idea behind the series of “Gatherings” is simply for paddlers to come together for a long weekend of learning, community, and fun. We’ve held gatherings in multiple locations (Tangier, Chincoteague, Onancock, etc.), but this will be the first time we’ve done it at Rehoboth Bay near Cape Henlopen. We’ve reserved Camp Arrowhead as a base. (That’s where the Delmarva Paddler’s Retreat is always held). It’s a pretty place, with easy access to a variety of venues, and very affordable housing options.

There will be flat water and rough water trips and classes offered each day so this event is appropriate for everyone. You can do a trip one day, take a skills class the next day or mix and match any way you want. Paddling venues include Cape Henlopen, the Delaware and Rehoboth bays, Ocean City, MD, Little Assawoman Bay, Trap Pond State Park, and more. There will be classes in rolling, rough water skills, intermediate skills, Greenland skills, etc.

There will be a mix of housing options including tenting, 6 – 8 person bunk cottages, and a small 3 BR house. The cost is $295 + housing (housing at Camp Arrowhead is $35/night. Off-site rental houses and motels are really expensive at that time of year.

Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
2022-08-02 08:00 - 2022-08-05 17:00 | Metompkin Inlet
Is it time for you to challenge yourself to become an ACA L4 Coastal Kayak Instructor? Join me on Virginia’s Eastern Shore for this unique opportunity sponsored by Cross Currents! Crosscurrentsseakayaking.com email me wavepaddlerashley@gmail.com with questions about the program and email Rick Wiebush at Crosscurrentsseakayaking@gmail.com to register! Happy Paddling!

Women's Adventure Weekend
2022-07-29 08:00 - 2022-07-31 17:00 | Metompkin Inlet
A weekend of classes led by Ashley is spelled F-U-N! And L-E-A-R-N-A-L-O-T!
There will be plenty of adventure this weekend as you learn how to deal with somewhat bouncier water (for some in the groups) and very bouncy water (for others in the group). Metompkin Inlet provides the best possible venue along the DelMarVa coastline for learning. It has a variety of conditions for a safe and exciting learning environment.
For the less-experienced members of the group, this three-day course will expose you to paddling in surf, current and open water. You’ll get acclimated to rougher water by practicing skills in smaller waves, including those skills that will keep you upright in current, waves and surf. You will learn a variety of techniques to launch and land through surf and to play safely in the surf zone. When you are ready, we’ll gradually increase the challenges by venturing into more challenging conditions. Rescue drills will be intermixed and, if conditions permit, we will try our hand at surfing our kayaks.
The more experienced participants will have an opportunity to learn advanced skills and practice them in the bigger conditions that are available at Metompkin (like that beautiful surf break off the northern part of the inlet.) The class will include strategies for dealing with the various confused water features found in the area and ways of grappling with issues that arise as a result of things going awry. Figure on some incident management in rough water, including rescues, towing, back-deck carries, etc. Time will also be spent on reading the water, risk assessment and some leadership skills.
This is always a fun and exciting weekend. You will come away with a new skill set and greater confidence. Part of what makes this a fun weekend is that we will be staying together at the Wachapreague Inn. You will have a choice of staying in a group house or one of the motel rooms. Housing is not included in the course fee, but is usually only about $60/night.

Oceans '22
2022-05-20 08:00 - 2022-05-22 17:00 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
This event started as a forum discussion among sea kayakers with a desire to have more opportunity to advance their skills. The gist of it was that you’re never advised to go out in conditions beyond your current ability, and you’re supposed to go out and push your own skills around paddlers who are comfortable in the conditions that you aspire to paddle in. So it can be difficult for many to find opportunities to expand their skill set and gain experience and comfort in more dynamic environments, and do all that in a safe and controlled way. So a few of us decided that a discussion is just a discussion – let’s make something happen. With great help from a terrific group of ACA instructors, this event was born. – See the website for more details!

ACA L3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor Development Workshop/Certification Exam
2022-03-30 08:00 - 2022-04-04 17:00 | San Francisco, CA, United States
Thursday, March 31, 20229:00 AM
Monday, April 4, 20224:00 PM

California Watersport CollectiveHorseshoe Bay Marin, CAUnited States (map)

Interested in becoming an American Canoe Association L3 Instructor or stepping up your leadership and teaching skills? The Bay Area is one of the best classrooms for leveling up and building confidence as an instructor. You’ll have the chance to assess in an exciting environment with quick-changing conditions. You can take the course as just or workshop, just an evaluation/certification, or both.

You can either participate as a candidate developing your skills or participate as a candidate seeking certification. This IDW/ICE is offered ed by Jeff Atkins (ACA L3 IT/ L5 AOWCK Instructor) and Laura Zulliger (ACA L5 AOWCK Instructor, L4 OWCK ITC).
We’ll dive into L3 conditions, techniques, and maneuvers all while learning and testing new pedagogical approaches both on and off the water. We will be paddling and teaching in tidal current up to 2 knots, wind up to 15 knots and surf up to 2 feet. We will be learning how to teach navigation, mitigate risk and manage incidents and provide effective coaching in technique.
Please review the ACA’s update L3 Instructor Criteria.
Pre-requisites: In order to participate as a candidate, you will need to:

Complete an L3 Skills Assessment prior to the IDW/ICE

Please Note: Existing L3 OWCK Instructors may take this course as an Update to meet the ACA’s Instructor Maintenance Requirements.
COST:

Full IDW/ICE (Thursday – Monday): $600

IDW (Thursday – Saturday) Only: $399

ICE (Sunday – Monday) Only: $399

IDW (Thursday – Saturday) Update: $300

REGISTER NOW

L3 Coastal Kayak IDW/ICE | Marin, CA | Thursday, March 31 – Mon. April 4, 2022
Please CONTACT Jeff Atkins if you have any questions or would like to reserve space.
Please note: Cost does not include food, accommodation, kayak and gear rental. We have a fleet of kayaks available for candidates flying to the Bay Area for our instructor programs. Kayaks must be reserved well in advance. Please contact us to reserve a kayak.

American Canoe Association Level 2/3 Coastal Kayaking Update
2022-03-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Charleston, SC
ACA Instructors are required to complete an Instructor Update before the expiration of their certification. This course will review curriculum, teaching concepts, skills, and administrative procedures to help instructors continue to offer top quality, FUN programs.

This course will be a great opportunity for folks who are attending Oceans 22 May 20-22.
Who: Instructor Trainers Ashley Brown and Jeff Atkins
What: American Canoe Association Level 2 and/or Level 3 Instructor Update
Cost: $275 per participant. *Lodging and food are on your own
When: May 18-19, 2022
Where: Charleston, SC
How to Register or questions: Contact Jeff Atkins – wavepaddlerjeff@gmail.com or 843-410-9696

Matanzas Rough Water Workshop
2022-02-06 08:00 - 2022-02-11 17:00 | Matanzas Inlet, FL
9th Annual Rough Water Workshop in Matanzas, FL.
Instructors Include: Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, James Kesterson, Tom Noffsinger, and Dale Williams

L1/L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring INSTRUCTOR UPDATE & L3 Coastal Kayak INSTRUCTOR UPDATE
2021-12-04 08:30 - 2021-12-05 17:00 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
Attention Kayak Instructors who need an instructor certification UPDATE:
L1/L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring INSTRUCTOR UPDATE & L3 Coastal Kayak INSTRUCTOR UPDATE
This class is for existing ACA L1/L2/L3 coastal kayak instructors who need an update.
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, December 4-5, 2021
WHERE: Charleston, SC Area (venue details available later)
INSTRUCTORS: Ashley Brown, L4 IT, Jeff Atkins L3 IT, and Bev Cosslett L4 Instructor. Jeff will be leading the L3 Update. Ashley and Bev will be leading the L2 Update
PRICE: $250
PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Existing L1/L2/L3 Instructors who need an Update to maintain their Certification.
Valid CPR & First Aid certification documents uploaded to CMS
RSVP and Questions: bevcosslett4@gmail.com

ACA Rolling Endorsement
2021-10-04 08:00 - 2021-10-05 17:00 | Camp Arrowhead, 35268 Homestead Way, Lewes, DE, 19958, United States
Course Overview: The Kayak Rolling Endorsement course is designed to endorse ACA Level 2 or 3 certified kayaking instructors that they have the technique of teaching rolling.
Objectives: Participants will be introduced to:
 Learning proper boat fit and adjustment for effective rolling
 Learning safe and effective wet-exit technique
 Learning the bow rescue
 Learning techniques for effectively rolling the kayak
 Learning proper body positioning and head placement for executing a roll
 Learning the mechanics of a roll
Candidates who pass this course are eligible to teach the ACA kayak rolling course
Practice students can also attend this class to be acquire rolling instruction. Practice students pay $75 per day.
Primitive camping is available on site for a small fee per night.

ACA Level 3 Instructor Certification Workshop- Coastal Kayaking
2021-08-30 08:30 - 2021-09-03 17:30 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
Join Jeff in Charleston, South Carolina for this 5 day instructor training course.
Please see the ACA Level 3 Instructor Criteria for the content we will be working on. This class is focused on making you become a better instructor, leader, and paddler. This is a very interactive course where the instructor candidates will be teaching and performing at a high level of competence.
Participants must have completed an ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment prior to attending as a candidate.
The price covers your course fee only.
Accommodations and equipment are on your own. I will be glad to assist with advice on rental locations as much as possible. Feel free to send me an email.

Surf and Rough Water Weekend - Cape Charles, VA
2021-08-20 08:00 - 2021-08-22 17:00 | Cape Charles, VA, United States
Details
Surf and Rough Water Weekend
August 20 – 22 (Fri – Sun)
Location: Cape Charles, VA
Instructor: Jeff Atkins
Cost: $295 + housing
Join Jeff for three days of fun and skill development on the Virginia Eastern Shore. This class will involve one day of
rough/open water training and two days of surfing.
The rough water day will be at Smith Island off Wise Point (near Kiptopeke). We’ll deal with the outrageous current that
whips around the tip of Smith and the incredible bouncy water that it generates right at the tip. And, the wave train
beckons! The class will include strategies for dealing with the various confused water features found in the area and ways
of grappling with issues that arise as a result of things going awry. Figure on some incident management in rough water,
including rescues, towing, back-deck carries, etc.
The two days of surfing will include at least one at Metompkin Inlet and maybe one at Smith Island. If it seems like the
surf at Smith isn’t working, both surfing days will be at Metompkin.

ACA Level 4 Instructor Certification Workshop - Coastal Kayaking
2021-08-08 08:30 - 2021-08-11 17:30 | Jamaica Bay, New York
L4 ICW August 8 – 11 2021
Breezy Point, and Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn
Together Ashley Brown, and Dov Neimand will run an L4 coastal kayak instructor certification workshop (ICW) in Jamaica Bay and off Breezy Point. The focus of the ICW will revolve around four central goals.
Train and certify instructor candidates at their paddling levels, up to L4.
Help instructor candidates to develop a solid individual kayaking pedagogy.
Sharpen and develop candidates personal paddling and group management skills in L4 conditions.
Have fun, make friends, network, and sing kumbaya.
If you are an L4 assessed paddler, an L3 instructor, and ready to up your game, then this course is for you.
The price is $150/day for instructor candidates and $75/day for practice students. Spaces are limited and available on a first come first serve basis.
Spaces can be reserved with a non refundable deposit of $100. All final payments must be made before the course starts.
The option also exists to take this course as an instructor update, an ICE, or an IDW, so please reach out if interested.
Contact KayakDov@gmail.com or 201 281 1530 with any questions.
For course criteria, check out the ACA website.
Can’t wait to see you on the water!

Level 2: Essentials of SUP – Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW)
2021-06-18 08:00 - 2021-06-20 17:00 | Charleston, SC
We are excited to join forces with renowned paddler and Instructor Trainer Educator Anna Levesque for this fun and educational course! To find out more about Anna, visit MindBodyPaddle.com

Level 2: Essentials of SUP – Instructor Certification Workshop
This 3-day workshop is intended to train instructors who will prepare paddlers to venture safely into more exposed venues, such as lakes, protected ocean environments, and other nearshore waters.
(L2 Conditions: Wind to 10 kts., waves to 1 ft., currents 1-2 kts.)
This 3-day workshop (2 days training + 1 assessment for certification) includes a variety of more-advanced skills and teaching concepts.

Advanced maneuvering strokes, racing strokes and pivot turns
Footwork to prepare for SUP surfing, river running and racing
Safety, group management and navigation in more exposed waters

Prerequisites: Successful completion of an L2 Skills Assessment (or possess equivalent skills and knowledge), and an ACA Membership.
See complete list of L2 Instructor Criteria on the ACA website
General Information About Instructor Certification
ACA Reputation for Excellence: As the nation’s oldest and largest paddlesport organization, the American Canoe Association has a long-standing tradition of granting instructor certification to paddlers of all disciplines, ranging from freestyle canoe, whitewater kayaking, and Swiftwater rescue to coastal kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboarding. ACA instructors are recognized worldwide as safe, knowledgeable paddlers and effective teachers. Wavepaddler’s ACA instructor workshops are your chance to spend several days on the water (and in the classroom) with other skilled paddlers and instructors. Within the framework of the class there is a tremendous opportunity to exchange ideas about paddling and teaching techniques.
Paddling Skills: We’ll spend time fine tuning paddling skills using both verbal feedback and video tape. You don’t need to be a hotshot SUP surfer, but you should be comfortable maneuvering your SUP and performing rescues efficiently using a variety of strokes in both calm and choppy water.
Teaching Skills: We’ll cover modern learning/teaching theory and technique, and you’ll be asked to complete a lesson plan and give this prepared lesson, as well as several impromptu lessons of various strokes, techniques or trip planning strategies. There will be ample opportunity to practice teaching on each other and to experiment with a variety of teaching styles.
What About Certification? The Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) is is composed of two parts–an Instructor Development Workshop and an Instructor Certification Exam–which are often offered together in the same course at Levels 1 and 2, and typically separated into two separate courses at Levels 3 and above.

The Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) is the first half of the process. The IDW is designed to improve your paddling and teaching skills and to introduce you to the ACA format which is a comprehensive overview of contemporary sea kayaking technique. At the end of the IDW, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation of your progress toward certification.
The Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) as the name suggests is the assessment portion of the certification process. By working with, and receiving feedback from, both peers and practice students, you will be given the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to meet certification requirements. Please note: Participation alone does not guarantee certification.

Certification Outcomes: Upon completion of the ICW, there are various possible outcomes

Pass – an Instructor Candidate can become certified at the highest level of the ICE or ICW
Pass – an Instructor Candidate may become certified at a lower level (aka receiving a Level 1 certification even though it was a Level 2 certification course)
Continued – most, but not all of the requirements are met to certify at a specific level. They do not have to retake the entire ICE or ICW, but they must be ‘checked off’ by an Instructor Trainer at a later date before certification is awarded. Note that a candidate could pass at Level 1 and be continued at L2
Failed – the Instructor Candidate did not pass at a desired level and the deficiencies were such that they may need to retake either the ICE or both the IDW and the ICE.

For more information, see How to Become an ACA Instructor on the ACA website.
ACA Membership Requirement: For insurance reasons, ACA Membership is required to take the IDW. The $40 annual membership goes to a good cause: in addition to its safety and instructional programs, the ACA lobbies for waterway conservation and to protect paddlers’ access rights, and a subscription to a paddling magazine is included.
To receive certification upon successful completion of an ICE or ICW, the new Instructor must also pay their SEIC dues ($30) and show proof of appropriate First Aid and CPR certification.
Payment Info: Price is $425. We must receive your payment prior to the start of the class. Again, this price does not include ACA membership. Reminder: since space is limited, payment is considered non-refundable within three weeks, and partial credit may be given only if we can fill your spot off the waiting list.
Logistics: Schedules, presentation topics, etc. will be sent with registration.
Questions???—Feel free to email or call Jeff: wavepaddlerjeff@gmail.com, 843.410.9696.
(Above descriptions were written by Roger Schuman of ESKAPE Sea Kayaking. Thanks for sharing this content Roger!)

Bay Area Rough Water Rodeo - Currents, Open Water, Surf, & Rocks! | Marin, CA
2021-05-21 08:00 - 2021-05-24 17:00 | Fort Baker, CA, United States
It’s an East meets West Coast collaboration featuring guest coaches Ashley Brown (L5 AOWCK Instructor and L4 IT) and Jeff Atkins (L5 AOWCK Instructor and L3 IT) of WavePaddler instructing alongside the Cali Collective team of Gennifer Gatan and Laura Zulliger.

We’ll spend 4 glorious days adventuring and honing skills with each day featuring one of the best venues the Bay Area has to offer. Every day, students will have the opportunity to choose either the spicy intermediate/advanced version of that environment or the more mild advanced beginner version based on their comfort, the conditions of the day, and individual goals.
Day 1: Surf Zone or Performance Surfing
Day 2: Intro to Rock Gardening or Rock Gardening Skills & Safety
Day 3: Blending Strokes or Intermediate Tide Race Play
Day 4: Open Coastal Journey
This 4-day long-weekend aims to meet students’ needs at a variety of levels, taking advantage of a strong coaching team to challenge yourself and achieve new breakthroughs.
Whether you’re from out of town and have always wanted to paddle in the Bay Area or you’re a local excited to work with new coaches and fresh techniques, this clinic is designed for you.
Prerequisites: Previous surf zone and rough water experience strongly recommended (Intro to Surf Zone, Intro to Tides & Currents, Intro to Rock Gardening). Students should have good bracing skills and be comfortable with wet exits, as well as self and assisted rescues. A roll is encouraged but NOT required.
Location & Timing: Day 1 will most likely take place in Bolinas, Half Moon Bay, or Dillon Beach, with Days 2 and 3 launching from Horseshoe Cove. Day 4 will include launching most likely from Rodeo Beach or another location along the coast.
Minimum 6 students / Maximum 12 students
Pricing: $529 for all 4 days (Friday-Monday) and $279 for the 2-day weekend (Saturday-Sunday)

REGISTER FOR THE FULL 4-DAY CLINIC

REGISTER FOR THE WEEKEND (2-DAY OPTION)

Please make sure you review our cancellation policy before registering.

Lodging: Ideally, if safe and available, we hope to lodge out of town participants at the Marin Headlands Hostel.
Please Note: Cost does not include kayak and gear rental. We offer boat and gear rentals for students.

Your Coaches
Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown is the recipient of the ACA 2019 Excellence in Instruction Award! She lives in Charleston SC, a beautiful place to paddle. She is passionate about teaching kayaking at all levels and challenging people to test their limits while learning and having a ton of fun. She holds the prestigious Level 5 American Canoe Association Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification and is also an ACA L2 Kayak IT, and L4 Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer, Canoe Instructor, SUP Instructor. She is an Instructor at many symposiums, mostly on the east coast. She loves to travel, learn from her students, and enjoys welcoming guests from all over the world to paddle in beautiful Charleston waterways, especially the “edge of America”, the Atlantic Ocean off Folly Beach. As much as she loves to paddle, Ashley loves to teach. Her dedication to teaching brought her to the College of Charleston, where she has been developing a university-level curriculum in Kayaking and SUP. Ashley serves as an Adjunct Professor of Coastal Kayaking, Instructor Development, and Stand Up Paddleboard in the Health Education and Human Performance Dept.
Jeff Atkins

Jeff is an ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor, L3 Instructor Trainer, and an L2 Canoe Essentials Instructor Trainer. After a successful career as a Park Ranger, Jeff is now retired from public service, but continues to work as an outdoor industry professional. He loves coaching and leading trips. As an Instructor for the NC Outward Bound School, he leads expeditions around several parts of the USA. Jeff also holds several certifications including Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and Coastal Master Naturalist for SC. Paddlesports is his passion and he loves to spread the “infectious” recreation activity to others. He believes in having fun and helping others to expand their confidence and skills by while learning. “There is nothing like the feeling of seeing a person smile because they just did something they didn’t think they could do”.
Gennifer Gatan

Whether it be the warm waters of the Philippines where she was born and raised, or the sunny, coastal surf of southern California where she now lives, Gennifer Gatan finds herself completely at home on the water.
Sea kayaking since 2008, Gennifer hasn’t looked back since, enjoying all its facets – day touring, expedition-style trips, rock gardening, surfing. She has combined this passion with a love for world travel; the views from the seat of a kayak are some of the best, after all.
Gennifer works in the local outdoor recreation industry as an instructor and guide, both on water and hiking trails. She’s a British Canoe ASKL aspirant, and holds an ACA-L3 certification.
Laura Zulliger

With over 15 years of coaching experience, Laura is an ACA-certified Level 5 Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor – the youngest woman to earn this level of certification – and an L4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor.
In addition to sea kayaking, she teaches whitewater kayaking, canoeing, and surf kayaking. As a coach, Laura draws upon this multidisciplinary approach to give students the skills and confidence needed to experience the waves, rocks and swell of California’s energetic coastline as a playground rather than a battleground. To that end, she is grateful for the opportunity to work with paddlers at every stage of their development. She’s the Saltwater Program Director for California Watersport Collective. When she’s not on the water playing in waves and around rocks, she leads marketing and partnerships for an educational travel company. She’s honored to be on the P&H Kayaks Team and serve as a regional ambassador for Kōkatat.

March 28 – Apr 3 (Sun – Sat): Jacksonville Journeys
2021-03-28 - 2021-04-03 | Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
Location: Jacksonville, FL area
Instructor/Guide: Rick Wiebush and Ashley Brown (if seven or more participants)
Cost: $795

This trip is my favorite due to the variety of venues available to us: everything from Cumberland Is. National Seashore with its wild horses and abandoned mansions, to paddling the serene St. Mary’s river with Georgia on one side and Florida on the other, to the Okefenokee Swamp, and to (once again) the stunning Silver Springs. As a bonus, we sometimes do an urban paddle, right down through the middle of Jacksonville!

So join Rick and Ashley for a fabulous trip at a great time of the year!

The Okefenokee baby gator

Silver Springs

Like the other trips, staying in a group house is optional. Feel free to arrange your own type of housing (motel? airBNB?)
However, I gotta tell you, we usually get an oceanfront house on Amelia Island that is perfect for about 8 people.

The $795 course cost includes lunches each day, pick up/drop off at the airport (if flying), and guiding. If needed, we can transport your kayak (from/to Baltimore) for an additional $100.Trip cost does not include transportation to/from Jacksonville, most meals, any park entrance fees, your beer/wine/liquor, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Cumberland Island

Southwest Florida Exploration
2021-03-14 - 2021-03-20 | Ft Meyers Area, Florida, FL, United States
Location: Ft. Myers, FL area Instructors/Guides: Rick Wiebush and Jeff Atkins (if seven or more people)
Cost: $795
This is the first of three Cross Currents Florida adventures this year. The rationale is pretty straight-forward: In south Florida in mid-March, the average air temperatures are 80 degrees (high) and 55 degrees (low). The average water temperature for that time period is 70 degrees. That’s roughly 40 degrees warmer than here in the north!
Join Rick and Jeff for this fun-filled adventure that will involve a week of day trips in southwest Florida during the dead of winter up here. This is an extra special trip because we’ll be paddling in several places that only one of the previous Florida trips have visited. The paddling will be mostly flat water, about 10 – 12 NM each day, and will include a wide range of environments and wildlife. The trips will include:
• winding our way along the East River, which takes us through a series of mangrove tunnels and lakes in the 10,000 Islands/Everglades area.
• riding the current out and back across Chokoloskee Bay to one of the outer islands in 10,000 Islands area of Everglades National Park.
• a journey to Cape Romano with its’ mysterious “dome homes” that are being swallowed by the sea.
• a circumnavigation along the sandy beaches of Cayo Costo.
Due to the pandemic, people will be choosing and arranging their own housing this year. One of the options will be a group house that will be limited to 6 – 8 people (if anyone wants to do that). Other options are motels or local airBnBs. The rental house will be centrally located for all our paddling destinations. If you don’t want to stay in the house, we’ll tell you the location before you make your independent reservations. The cost of housing is not included in the fee.
The $795 course cost includes lunches each day, pick up/drop off at the airport (if flying), and guiding. If needed, we can transport your kayak (from/to Baltimore) for an additional $100.Trip cost does not include transportation to/from south Florida, most meals, any park entrance fees, your beer/wine/liquor, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Matanzas Rough Water Workshop
2021-02-23 08:00 - 2021-02-25 17:00 | Matanzas Inlet, FL
8th Annual Rough Water Workshop in Matanzas, FL.
Instructors Include: Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, Tom Noffsinger, James Kesterson, Dale Williams

Ten Thousand Islands Expedition - Trip is full
2021-02-06 - 2021-02-13 | Everglades City, FL, FL, United States
Guided Kayak Camping Expedition into the Florida Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands.

ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor Update
2021-01-16 08:00 - 2021-01-17 17:00 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
Need your ACA update before the end of the year, well come complete it early. Want to shake the rust off of your skills and teaching, then this can be the catalyst. We will have fun as well as learn from each other in order to be the best instructors we can be!
Water temperature is typically in the low 50’s. Air temperature can vary. We know we will be cold at times, but let’s be cold in the number one tourist destination – Charleston, SC.
You will be responsible for finding your own lodging and providing your own equipment. If you need to rent equipment, then let us know ahead of time and we may be able to help.

The (Re)Gathering at Chincoteague
2020-10-02 - 2020-10-04 | Chincoteague Island, VA, VA, United States
Location: Chincoteague Island, VA
Instructors: Ashley Brown, Jeff Atkins, Rick Wiebush
We had to cancel the originally-planned “Gathering at Chincoteague” due to the Coronavirus. The 60 people that were supposed to come were extremely disappointed! But we aren’t giving up, because this paddling destination is just too good to miss. The big difference this time is that instead of 60 people, we are limiting attendance to 15.

The paddling plan is fabulous! The paddling will be suitable for people at the intermediate and more advanced skill levels. The exact courses and trips will depend in part on who goes but this is what we envision:

A circumnavigation of Chincoteague Island on the Friday. We’ll have to time the currents carefully so that we get a strong boost to cover the 14 nm easily. It will be near a full moon so the current will be cranking!

Friday night will see the opportunity for a full-moon paddle for those who didn’t get enough during the day.

On Saturday, people who want to surf will head down to Metompkin Inlet. Those who want a great paddle will head over to the Bay and paddle out to Great Fox Island, where the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has a facility. This is a 14 nm round trip in open water.

On Sunday, you can choose between a class focused on learning and refining intermediate skills, or take another trip, or head out to the Chincoteague Inlet to play in current, then paddle along the oceanside of Assateague Island and play in surf.

We have rented one really nice house that can hold eight people. Depending on what everyone wants to do for housing, we can get another house or people can stay in one of the local motels, where off-season prices will be in effect

ACA Coastal Kayak IDW or ICE (Level 3)
2020-09-25 08:00 - 2020-11-02 19:00 | Galveston, TX
Description: Join Jeff Atkins and RiverCoast for an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) for ACA Level 3 Instruction. Folks that have previously completed a Level 3 IDW may achieve their L3 Instructor Certification with this course serving as their Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
NOTE: COVID-19 is a viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets. It can cause a wide range of serious effects, including death. The disease can be transmitted by individuals who are not experiencing any symptoms, making it particularly difficult to control. Any contact among people introduces the risk of transmission including RiverCoast courses and events. As ACA Trip Leader or Instructor candidates, please understand ACA’s guidelines on COVID-19. RiverCoast will adhere to these guidelines. However, each participant must take responsibility for choices regarding participation in any and all activities.

ACA L-4 Coastal Kayak ICW
2020-09-24 - 2020-09-27 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
Join Ashley Brown and Dale Williams for an ACA L-4 Instructor Certification Workshop. More details coming soon….

Rough Water Skills and/or ACA Trip Leader Training
2020-09-19 08:00 - 2020-09-21 19:00
Join Jeff Atkins and RiverCoast for a fun and convenient weekend to improve your rough water skills at San Luis Pass. Come play in the waves!
NOTE: COVID-19 is a viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets. It can cause a wide range of serious effects, including death. The disease can be transmitted by individuals who are not experiencing any symptoms, making it particularly difficult to control. Any contact among people introduces the risk of transmission including RiverCoast courses and events. As ACA Trip Leader or Instructor candidates, please understand ACA’s guidelines on COVID-19. RiverCoast will adhere to these guidelines. However, each participant must take responsibility for choices regarding participation in any and all activities.
Description: The two day Level 3 (L3) Coastal Kayak Skills Course with possibility of earning optional ACA assessment during this course or later check-off. Using on-water practice, classroom discussion and/or video analysis, participants will practice strokes/maneuvers (including rescues) to increase efficiency, fluidity and control in level 3 conditions. Add optional Monday for $100 to train as an ACA Trip Leader (up to Level 3) during this three day course (with possibility of earning assessment this weekend or later check-off). Maximum of 8.

Surf and Rough Water Weekend
2020-08-28 - 2020-08-30
Join Jeff for three days of fun and skill development on the Virginia Eastern Shore. This class will involve one day of rough/open water training and two days of surfing.

The rough water day will be at Smith Island off Wise Point (near Kiptopeke). We’ll deal with the outrageous current that whips around the tip of Smith and the incredible bouncy water that it generates right at the tip. And, the wave train beckons! The class will include strategies for dealing with the various confused water features found in the area and ways of grappling with issues that arise as a result of things going awry. Figure on some incident management in rough water, including rescues, towing, back-deck carries, etc.

The two days of surfing will include at least one at Metompkin Inlet and maybe one at Smith island. If it seems like the surf at Smith isn’t working, both surfing days will be at Metompkin.
