How to Prepare for the Course:

• Look over all of the material on the web site. Be sure to review the ACA course outlines and note anything that you have questions on. Be familiar with and read all the information on, About the ACA and the ACA Instructor web page (www.acanet.org) content. Familiarize yourself with the Safety Information on the ACA web site. Print out and bring the following: New Comers Overview, Course outlines, Instructor Responsibilities,  Insurance Guidelines, Waivers, Incident Report and on line Class Registration and Reporting forms. 
• Be in good physical condition. The days are long and full.
• Come with an open mind.
• Bring any kayak books/materials that you feel will be helpful in preparing your presentations.
• Prepare teaching and presentation aids.
• Write up your two presentation outlines and be ready to give a 12-minute talk on any one or both of them.
• Make sure your personal paddling gear and attire is in proper working condition.
• The class starts on time, whether you are there or not. Arrive ahead of time to give yourself plenty of time to unload and prepare your boat and equipment.

What to Bring:

• Bring all of your personal equipment, including appropriate boats and accessories to be on land and in the water. It is assumed that Instructor Candidates will own, or have access to, all necessary equipment, including signaling devices, helmets, tow systems, etc. If you have any equipment concerns, please contact me. We will have some top quality gear available for loan or rent.
• Bring a folding chair, or something to sit on and a notebook and pencils.
• Lunches will be working lunches, so bring a bag lunch that is simple and quick.
• Include lots of snacks and drinks.
• While we will try cover the course material during the day, be prepared to spend early evenings involved in classroom presentations, video review, etc. as necessary.
• ACA membership number and appropriate paperwork need to be complete before the class.
• You will need to purchase and bring the ACA Instructors Manual $22.50. This can be purchassed on the ACA website and is required. Get this book as early as possible as it has a great deal of information in it and will be very useful.

While certification is the goal of most candidates, it should be emphasized that becoming certified as an ACA instructor is a learning process. Instructor candidates come to IDW’s and ICE’s with a wide range of prior paddling instruction and teaching experience. We hope this course will be educational and fun for participants at either end of the spectrum. Candidates are encouraged to arrive at this IDW and or ICE with an open mind and to look at this process as part of a journey. If certification is your desired destination, pay attention to the journey and don’t get discouraged if it takes you longer. Certification is just as valuable, whether it takes you two months or two years to complete the requirements. 

If you have any questions regarding the class, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or phone.