Paddle Canada Manuals

Advanced River Kayak Instructor Trainer

This mentorship process provides national certification in the instruction and administration of the Paddle Canada Advanced River Kayak Instructor course.

Discipline: River Kayaking Stream: Instructor Trainer Development

Mandate of the Advanced River Kayak Instructor Trainer

The Advanced River Kayak instructor trainer is certified to:

  • conduct Paddle Canada Advanced River Kayak Instructor courses and certify Instructors at that level and,
  • mentor Paddle Canada B Level River Kayak IT Candidates on up to Advanced Instructor courses.

This is the highest level of Instructor trainer, and as such individuals certified at this level are expected to have a high degree of competency in all areas of the River Kayak program. All prerequisite skills must be performed at a high level.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites must be completed before the assessment process.

Age

At least 18 years of age.

Membership

Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial/Territory membership (as required).

Skills Certification

Advanced River Kayak Skills

Instructor Certification

Advanced River Kayak Instructor

Instructor Trainer Certification

Successful completion of Intermediate River Kayak Instructor Trainer mentorship and the general Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer requirements.

Teaching Experience

Teach three or more Advanced River Kayak Skills courses with at least three participants in each course, at least one of which they were the leading instructor. One Advanced River Kayak Skills course must be within the last certification maintenance window.

Taught at least two or more Paddle Canada Instructor courses in any discipline within IT Level B, which includes Intermediate River Kayak Skills

Minimum Staff and Certification

Two, B River Kayak Instructor Trainers, who are also Advanced River Kayak Instructor Trainers are required to complete this certification.

Candidate Assessment

Assessment occurs on an ongoing basis throughout the mentorship process. The Instructor Trainer (IT) apprentice must assist on at least two Advanced River Kayak Instructor courses. After each course, the IT mentors must provide timely feedback to the apprentice IT. An Advanced River Kayak Instructor Trainer is required to assess an Advanced River Kayak IT apprentice. The IT apprentice must work with at least two (2) different IT mentors during their apprenticeship. All involved IT mentors are responsible to provide timely feedback to the apprentice.

Published: October 23, 1998 Last updated: April 30, 2026