Wave Paddler - Charleston, SC

ACA Level 3 Instructor Certification Workshop- Coastal Kayaking
2021-08-30 08:30 - 2021-09-03 17:30 (America/New_York) | 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 | VA
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 | VA
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.

Kayak Trip Leader Training
2020-06-24 - 2020-06-25 | VA
Seabirds International are pleased to announce that Ashley Brown, recipient of the ACA 2019 Excellence in Instruction Award will be leading Kayak Trip Leader Training for the first time ever in Buffalo NY!
Training will take place at the Buffalo Harbor State Park, https://parks.ny.gov/parks/191/details.aspx
Cost: $175 if you register before 2.14.20 $200 after, register with three friends $150 each
Contact: Andrea on seabird.ava@gmail.com for more information and to register

The Gathering at Chincoteague
2020-06-05 08:00 - 2020-06-07 17:00 | VA
The Gathering at Chincoteague: with James Kesterson, Jeff Atkins, Ashley Brown, Paula Hubbard and Mike Hamilton
Where and with whom
The Gathering this year will be at Chincoteague with a new set of fabulous instructors and trip leaders including James, Jeff, Ashley, Paula. Mike, Rick and others.
What
There will be opportunities for:
1) surfing at Assateague for all skill levels; 2) current play; 3) intermediate skills classes; 4) rolling 5) a circumnavigation of Chincoteague Island; 6) flat water day trips; and 7) a trip on the Chesapeake Bay side to the now-abandoned Chesapeake Bay Foundation facility on Great Fox Island.
See attached charts.
When: Fri – Sun., June 5 – 7. It will be house-based. I have three wonderful old houses lined up. If some people want to stay over Sunday night, we can do that.
Cost: $395 includes housing and instruction/guiding. Sunday night stay would be an additional $55.
Min/max: we need a minimum of 20 people to make this happen. Max is 35.

Carolina Kayak Club Symposium at Jordan Lake, NC
2020-05-29 08:00 - 2020-05-31 17:00 | VA
This is an amazingly affordable symposium offered through the Carolina Kayak Club in North Carolina.

ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Trip Leader Training and Assessment
2020-04-24 08:00 - 2020-04-26 17:00 | Huntington Beach State Park, SC, 16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC, 29576, United States
Purpose: The purpose of the Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Trip Leader (L3: CKTL) assessment is to
prepare individuals who intend to lead other paddlers, either recreationally or professionally, in
coastal environments. The emphasis of the assessment is on leadership and group management.
Successful completion of the assessment will provide evidence of the participant’s technical skills
and confirm their knowledge, understanding and ability to plan and implement trips appropriate for a
group’s abilities, in environments up to and including L3: CKTL conditions.
Assessment Overview: For successful completion of The L3: CKTL assessment an individual must
demonstrate technical proficiency, trip planning, group management and leadership skills in the L3:
CKTL venue. While this is not a teaching award, an L3: CKTL must also be able to provide basic
tips to paddlers, as appropriate, to help them through the environment.

Sea Kayak Surfing with Laura Zulliger
2020-04-17 08:00 - 2020-04-19 17:00 | SC
We welcome ACA L5 Instructor and awesome paddler Laura Zulliger to the East Coast. Laura lives in the San Francisco Bay area and is so much fun to spend time on the water with. For more information on Laura check out her website laurazulliger.com

Rolling When You Need It
2020-04-11 08:00 - 17:00 | VA
We will start your paddling season off right by getting you more comfortable with rolling when you need to instead of just the calm water practice. We will move through a progression to make you feel better prepared to take on more challenging conditions.

Level 3 Coastal Kayaking IDW/ICE
2020-04-03 08:00 - 2020-04-05 17:00 | VA
Details
Ever wondered how Coastal Instructors are trained? Participate in a formal Coastal Skills Workshop and Assessment during an Instructor Development Exam and find out!
Please join Jeff Atkins, American Canoe Association L3 Instructor Trainer L5 Instructor, as well as Randi Kruger L4 Instructor L3 Instructor Trainer Candidate, and Brian Stevens L5 Instructor, for a formal Coastal Kayak Level 3 Skills Workshop as well as L3 IDE.
The Skills training will occur though out the three day training. The instructors will take lead with the students who attend for skills, with the Candidates from the Level 3 Instructor Development/Exam also participating in training students. Students who come for skills will therefore receive an enormous amount of hands-on training from a variety of instructors.
Any Skills student that is an ACA member will receive a Skills Assessment at Level 2 or 3, as appropriate. The Skills Assessment will be logged with the ACA.
Running at the same time will be a Coastal Level 3 Instructor Development Workshop that may also serve as an Instructor Certification Exam. Candidates must be able to show evidence of ACA membership, as well as a Coastal Level 3 Skills Assessment. Candidates wishing to take the exam must also show that they have attended an Instructor Development Workshop in the past.
Thursday night is check in. Class runs three days starting Friday morning. We will have academics in the Host House. Topics such as navigation, and ACA requirements will be covered. Skills students are encouraged to participate.
The event will end around 5 pm on the third day. Lodging will extend to Monday morning.
Students and Candidates will be billed via E-invoice, payable with credit, debit, or checking. Cost- Skills Students, 3 days $225, with Assessment. IDW Candidates, $325.
4 nights housing, shared bedrooms, $225.
Some loaner boats and equipment are available, but must be arranged prior to event.
Contact Randi for more info on classes, packages, and available discounts.

ACA Level 2 Canoe Instructor Workshop
2020-03-24 08:00 - 2020-03-26 17:00 | VA
American Canoe Association Level 2 Essentials of Canoe Touring Instructor Workshop
Jeff Atkins – Instructor Trainer
This course will be ran through Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission. Venue will be James Island County Park and neighboring creeks and bays.

ACA L4-Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Development Workshop/Instructor Certification Exam (IDW/ICE)
2020-03-19 08:30 - 2020-03-22 17:00 | James Island County Park, off site location
The ACA Instructor Certification program will refine and increase the open water skills of current Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructors. Certification is based upon successful demonstration of technical competency and teaching skills. This workshop (IDW) with the certification exam (ICE) is for ACA L-4 Open Water Instructors. This certification is for those teaching students in open water with wind, waves, and current. It emphasizes safety, efficiency, and self-reliance. Students must successfully complete a Level 4 Skills assessment. For more information, visit: http://www.americancanoe.org.

ACA Level 4 - Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop
2020-03-19 08:00 - 2020-03-22 17:00 | VA
Activity #7351 – Details up soon
Instructor Trainer Candidate – Ashley Brown
Instructor Trainer Educator – Steve Hutton

ACA L4-Open Water Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment
2020-03-18 | James Island County Park, off site location
The ACA Instructor Certification program polishes the paddling and teaching skills of already competent paddlers aspiring to become instructors or trip leaders. This course is a prerequisite for ACA L-4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor candidates and assesses the participants’ demonstration of technical competency, leadership, and overall skills. It emphasizes safety, efficiency, self-reliance, and the ability to support others. This is an assessment to be recognized for L4 paddling skills and open to all, whether an understanding and recognition of L4 skills alone, or a paddler looking to progress to attain the L4 Instructor award as their next goal.

ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayaking - Skills Training and Assessment Weekend
2020-03-14 08:00 - 2020-03-15 17:00 | Charleston, SC
We will spend the weekend reviewing the strokes, maneuvers, rescues, and knowledge required to receive the American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Skills Assessment. This course is designed for those on the path to becoming an Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Trip Leader and/or Instructor.

ACA Level 2 Essentials of Kayak Touring ICW at Artist Boat in Galveston TX
2020-03-06 08:00 - 2020-03-09 17:00 | Galveston, TX
Instructor Trainer: Ashley Brown

Paddle 2 the People
2020-02-21 08:00 - 2020-02-25 17:00 | Wekiva State Park
Come join us for our second year!
@ Wekiwa Springs State Park
We’re going to have a lot of fun. SUP camaraderie, paddling trips, classes, Instructor Certification opportunities, and more.
The weather is going to be great. The average daily high is 74 degrees and low of 53 during February.
Wekiwa is a 2nd magnitude spring that is 72-74 degrees crystal clear water year round. It feeds a beautiful basin/pond that is the headwaters to the Wekiva River. Rock Springs run is another spring fed tributary that joins the Wekiva river about a mile downstream. We’ll be staying in a private camp within the 7,000 acres of Wekiva Springs State park with cabins, a rec hall, kitchen, dining area, fire pits, outdoor classrooms, etc.

L2 Instructor Update - Essentials of Kayak Touring, Canoe Touring, River Kayak
2020-01-17 08:00 - 2020-01-20 17:00 | VA
This is a joint venture with RiverCoast in Austin,Texas.
ACA Instructor Trainers/Educators – Kent Ford, Dale Williams, Jeff Atkins
