Basic Kayak Instructor

Mandate of the Basic Kayak Instructor

A Basic Kayak Skills instructor is certified to:

• conduct Paddle Canada Waterfront Kayak and Basic Kayak skills courses and certify paddlers at those levels,
• assist a Level-1 Instructor on a Level-1 Sea Kayak Skills course, and
• assist a Kayak Rolling Instructor on a Kayak Rolling clinic.

Course Details

Prerequisites

Age

At least 16 years of age.

Membership

Current Paddle Canada membership and Provincial/Territorial membership (where required).

Skills Certification

Level-1 Sea Kayak Skills.

Instructor Certification

None.

Teaching Experience

None.

Paddling Experience

Significant paddling experience in a wide variety of conditions and locations.

Candidates are expected to be able to perform all safety and skill items to a level and confidence superior to that of a participant taking the Basic Kayak skill course.

Minimum Course Length

20 hours of instruction (2.5 days), minimum eight hours instruction on the water.

Class Ratio

1 Instructor Trainer:6 candidates

1 Instructor Trainer with 1 assistant:8 candidates

1 Instructor Trainer with 2 assistants:10 candidates

Minimum Staff and Certification Level

A minimum of one Instructor Trainer is required to teach this course.

Instruction staff must consist of at least one Basic Kayak Instructor Trainer.

A maximum of two assistants are allowed.

Minimum Number of Registered Candidates

This instructor course must have a minimum of three registered candidates, each with the required prerequisites completed, to qualify. This is to ensure the candidate experiences an appropriate level of group dynamics and can demonstrate competence in managing those dynamics. This policy will be strictly enforced.

If there are fewer than three registered candidates, the instructor trainer can certify them via the instructor mentorship process.

Course Location

Appropriate to a Basic Kayak skills course.

Environmental Conditions and Sea State

Environmental conditions must match those outlined in the Basic Kayak Skills course syllabus.

Instructor Candidate Assessment

The Basic Kayak Instructor candidate will be assessed by the following methods:

1. Continuous assessment (by observation) of skills throughout the course.
2. Written and/or oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content.
3. Ongoing assessment (by observation) of the candidate’s performance in the areas of safety, self-care, care of equipment, group dynamics and leadership.
4. A minimum of two demonstrations of teaching ability by each candidate, at least one of which shall be an “on water” session in which the candidate teaches a Basic Kayak skill.
5. Successful completion of a written test of approximately one hour in length (developed by the course director).

The Instructor Candidate will demonstrate all skills at a high level of proficiency with Level-1 Sea Kayak Skills suitable for instructional demonstration purposes. Re-entry and general paddling skills will exceed minimum skills and be suitable to the instructional environment.

Paddle Canada instructors are leaders in the paddling community and must demonstrate above-average judgment in all matters relating to safety, group management and the health and welfare of all participants. While the Basic Instructor is just developing these skills, the demands of the paddling environment make demonstration of good judgment an important skill for the completion of this course.

For each category of paddling skills, theory and teaching, candidates will be graded Pass, Weak, or Fail. To achieve this certification, a pass is required in all categories, but one weak may be accepted at the discretion of the instructor. Up to two weak evaluation items may be eligible for a conditional pass at the discretion of the instructor. A fail in any one category will result in a fail in the overall course. The head instructor will outline as clearly as possible the criteria, which determines a pass, weak or fail grading of each test to the candidates prior to assessment.

Reassessment or retesting may be conducted by the course instructor or a designated instructor at the appropriate level, according to the guidelines.

Course Outcomes

Across the broad expanse of Canadian waterways, consistency of course content and assessment are important considerations. However, variations in regional geography and environmental conditions require instructor trainers to be flexible in their delivery of course content and the assessment of skills and knowledge.

Knowledge and Paddling Skills Review

The candidate will:

• demonstrate understanding of all knowledge and theory topics as outlined in the Basic Kayak Skills course, and
• perform a “demonstration quality” review of all paddling skills as outlined in the Basic Kayak Skills course.

Teaching Notes

It is expected that the instructor candidate is able to demonstrate the required skills with ease and confidence, clearly showing the key components of each stroke at a level appropriate to the syllabus.

Instructor Ethics

The candidate will:

• summarize the Paddle Canada Instructor’s Code of Conduct,
• discuss what it means to be a professional instructor, and
• outline the roles and responsibilities of a Paddle Canada sea kayaking instructor.

Teaching Theory and Knowledge

Learning Styles

The candidate will:

• explain the concept of learning styles and different ways participants can receive and acquire information including verbal, aural, visual, and physical,
• explain how to use different learning styles, and
• be encouraged to cater to a variety of different learning styles in their lessons.

Teaching Styles

The candidate will:

• explain the concept of teaching styles,
• outline the advantages and challenges of some common teaching styles (for example, command versus participant-centred), and
• give examples of scenarios where different teaching styles are appropriately applied.

Teaching Strategies

The candidate will:

• review different ways of presenting information to participants,
• outline advantages and challenges of some common teaching strategies (for example, lectures, scenarios, discussions, questions, games, and activities), and
• learn and apply a simple teaching strategy suitable for skill development at the Basic Skills level, such as IDEAS, Whole-Part-Whole, etc.

Program Design and Delivery

The candidate will:

• prepare progressions and sequencing of material (when to teach what and why) that are appropriate for the Basic Skills level,
• explain the characteristics of specific novice populations (for example age, culture, existing knowledge) and how to alter course delivery for those specific characteristics,
• select effective teaching locations for working with Basic Skill level participants both on the water and on the shore, and
• discuss things to consider when teaching novice paddlers in the outdoors (for example keeping participants comfortable and safe, minimizing distractions, situating the group to minimize effects of wind, current and sun etc.).

Adaptive Paddling and Inclusive Instruction

The candidate will:

• discuss what is meant by adaptive paddling and inclusive instruction, and
• discuss which disabilities can easily be accommodated for in a typical Basic Skills level course.

Teaching Notes

Adaptive paddling and inclusive instruction means being able to meet the needs of any population the instructor is working with by modifying the program or implementing creative solutions. Example populations include teaching kids, youth, adults, seniors, and people with physical or learning disabilities.

Instructor Trainers should use this as an opportunity to discuss being participant centered as well as some simple delivery adaptations (less talk, more play when working with youth, ensuring someone who needs to read lips can always see your face, etc.).

Learn more about adaptive paddling and inclusive instruction.

Leadership and Group Management Skills

The candidate will:

• demonstrate leadership skills in a variety of situations including games and activities or the daily routine of running a Basic Kayak Skills program,
• organize the group according to the environment or needs of the participants to enhance learning,
• speak clearly and effectively with participants using a variety of verbal and nonverbal communication tools in a variety of conditions, both on and off the water, and
• set and manage appropriate boundaries.

Safety Skills

The candidate will:

• respond effectively and quickly to a participant unable to exit from their capsized kayak,
• recognize common signs of a capsized and entrapped participant in distress,
• demonstrate and understand proper wet exit protocol,
• demonstrate all re-entry skills with a high degree of proficiency as outlined in the Basic Kayak Skills course,
• demonstrate basic safety management including:
  • ensuring equipment is in good repair,
  • site orientation,
  • ensuring pre-course paperwork is complete including waivers, medical forms, etc.,
  • select an appropriate teaching location for the participant’s needs, skill level and environmental conditions, and
  • identify potential hazards in a variety of situations and state appropriate preventative safety procedures.
• demonstrate an understanding of the Transport Canada vessel regulations for guided excursions and the extra safety gear required to comply, and
• lead the group through a guided excursion safety briefing.

Games and Activities

The candidate will be aware of a wide variety of games and activities for use during lessons that are appropriate for their target audience. Please see Paddling Games and Activities for a list of activities.

Evaluation and Assessment

The candidate will:

• explain the concept of learning outcomes, and how to use them to determine a participant’s performance,
• outline the Paddle Canada learning outcomes for Basic Skills,
• explain the concept of a benchmark (performance standards below which a participant cannot pass) and what the benchmarks are at the Basic Skills level,
• demonstrate ways of giving feedback to participants that are supportive and positive,
• demonstrate the ability to assess a variety of technical and soft skills in relation to clearly defined objectives,
• provide timely, accurate and appropriate feedback to participants,
• describe the administrative steps for reporting on the level of achievement of the participants (pass, fail, conditional pass), and
• give examples of when it is appropriate to use a Conditional Pass at the Basic Skills level.

Course Administration and Paddle Canada Knowledge

The candidate will:

• demonstrate knowledge of Paddle Canada policies and programs,
• discuss insurance and liability issues affecting the instructor,
• review course registering and reporting, and
• review certification maintenance policies and procedures.

Teaching Notes

Some of the administrative topics can be covered in pre-course reading assignments and then reviewed during course time.

Assignments and Tasks

Course Plan Development

The candidate will individually develop a detailed course plan for a Paddle Canada Basic Kayak Skills course. This assignment may be completed after the instructor course; however, certification will not be issued until the assignment and all other criteria have been satisfied.

The course plan will include:

• a list of course objectives,
• a clear and logical progression of skills and theory topics taught,
• estimated timelines for each activity or skill, and
• teaching location for each activity or skill.

Teaching Skills Demonstration

The candidate will:

• develop and present a minimum of two formal demonstrations of their teaching ability by teaching both a paddling skill (on-water) and a knowledge topic (on-land) based on the Basic Kayak Skills syllabus,
• develop and demonstrate an appropriate teaching progression for the skills taught,
• provide a detailed teaching outline or lesson plan for each topic assigned,
• foster a rewarding learning environment by using positive language,
• use a range of appropriate teaching aids and techniques including on-water activities and games,
• model ethics and values consistent with the Paddle Canada with the Paddle Canada code of conduct,
• offer relevant, constructive feedback to participants during debriefing sessions, phrased in a non-threatening/demeaning manner,
• select a teaching location appropriate to the skill being taught and to the skill level of the participants, and
• clearly communicate all teaching location boundaries for practice sessions.

Teaching Notes

Presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length depending on the assigned topic.

Each presentation should be organized with:

• a clear introduction,
• a middle that provides opportunity for feedback to participants,
• guides to identifying and fixing common errors, and
• a defined end.

All strokes will be of demonstration quality and demonstrated in a manner consistent with any explanation.

Candidates should be given at least 24 hours’ notice of their formal teaching topic(s). Other practice teaching session topics throughout the course may be assigned at short notice from a previously issued list.

It is expected that the depth of knowledge for any presentation is appropriate to the syllabus and the needs of the participant and local paddling environment.

Basic Kayak Instructor Certification through Mentorship

As an alternative to an instructor course, instructor candidates can earn certification through mentorship. The mentorship process entails working as an apprentice instructor under direct supervision of a mentor who is a qualified instructor trainer on a minimum of two appropriate courses.

Refer to the page, Instructor Certification through Mentorship for specific information on the mentorship process.

Basic Kayak Instructor Mentorship Specific Policies

Prerequisites

Instructor Candidates must complete all prerequisite skills, before commencing a mentorship.

The Instructor Candidate must have Level-1 Skills certification before starting this mentorship.

Refer to the syllabus for other prerequisites.

Assessment Process

The Instructor Candidate must mentor on a minimum of two Basic Kayak Skills courses as part of the assessment process though the Candidate may be required to mentor on more at the discretion of the Mentor.

Minimum Staff Numbers and Certification Levels

Only one assessing mentor is required, and the same mentor can assess the instructor candidate on both courses.

The mentor must be at least a Basic Kayak Instructor Trainer to be qualified to assess an instructor candidate at this level.

A maximum of two Instructor Candidates may be assessed on a course.

Both the Instructor Candidate and Mentor must be present throughout the entire course.

General Policies

To ensure that the Instructor Candidate experiences an appropriate level of group dynamics, and shows competence in managing those dynamics, a minimum of 3 participants must be enrolled in all skills courses where a mentorship is taking place.

Mentors may require the instructor candidate to teach additional courses between mentorships at their discretion.

The instructor candidate must complete all assessment tasks as outlined in the Basic Kayak Instructor course syllabus, including requirements for written examinations and submission of course lesson plans.