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River Kayak Instructor Introduction to Kayaking

Aim
The River Kayak Instructor Introduction to Kayaking course is designed to provide a national certification in the instruction and administration of the National Kayaking Program.

Upon Successful Completion
The River Kayak Instructor Introduction to Kayaking is certified to:

Teach the following courses:
River Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking


Assist and/or Apprentice (Mentorship) on the following courses:
Not Applicable

Prerequisites
At least 16 years of age
River Kayak Skills Level 1 certification
Current Certification in Standard First Aid and CPR

Course Length
Two (2) days minimum

Class Ratio
1 Instructor : 6 Participants

Location
Enclosed and sheltered with easy landing options immediately present.
Appropriate portions of this course may be conducted in a pool.

Conditions
Wind calm (<8 knots) Sea state calm to rippled.

Program Overview

It is expected that candidates have kayaking experience beyond that of the
River Kayak Introduction to Kayaking skills course. Candidates are expected
to perform all safety and skill items to a level that is superior to that of
a participant taking the River Kayak Introduction to Kayaking skill course.

Safety

Candidates must demonstrate all safety procedures outlined in the River Kayak
Skills Introduction to Kayaking course. Candidates must also identify potential
hazards in a variety of kayaking situations and state appropriate preventative
safety procedures.

Skills

River Kayak Introduction to Kayaking Instructor candidates must consistently
show demonstration quality skills as outlined in the River Kayak Skills Introduction
to Kayaking Level course on flatwater in slightly windy or wavy conditions.
As such, a skills demonstration by the candidate will be required. Advanced
and novelty skills may be introduced at the River Kayak Introduction to Kayaking
Instructor course for purposes of enrichment, as time and resources allow.

Teaching and Evaluation

Candidates will demonstrate a knowledge of the following topics and areas, especially
as applied to the teaching of psychomotor skills in general and recreational
kayaking specifically.

1. How one learns.


2. Conditions of learning.


3. Skill, knowledge and attitude areas of learning.


4. Goals and objectives.


5. Teaching strategies.


6. Lesson planning and organization.


7. Class management.


8. Group dynamics.


9. Evaluation techniques.


10. Instructor behaviour and attitudes.


11. How to plan and organize a River Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking
    course.


12. Games theory.

Assignment

Candidates will remit to the Course Director a lesson plan for a River Kayak
Skills Introduction to Kayaking course. This assignment may be handed in after
the instructor course, however, no certification will be issued until the assignment
and all other criteria have been satisfied.

Theory

Candidates must demonstrate a thorough understanding of all theory presented
in the River Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking course.

Programming and Program Development

Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics as they relate
to the initiation,

management and operation of a recreational kayaking program in Canada.

1. Paddle Canada policies, programs, accreditation and recertification.


2. Organization and management of a River Kayak Skills Introduction to Kayaking
   course.


3. Other germane institutions and programs, such as national organizations,
   regional members, provincial associations, clubs, etc, available in Canada.


4. Overview of resources (publications, manufacturers, retailers, repair persons,
   etc.) available in
   
   Canada.


5. Legal and liability issues affecting the instructor.


6. Safety procedures, hazard recognition, waterfront regulations and safety
   equipment.


7. Equipment choice, teaching sites and areas, and scheduling.


8. Development of appropriate teaching progression.


9. Knowledge of kayaking activities, games and events


10. Staffing and staff management

Instructors
The following instructors are accredited to offer this course:
River Kayak Instructor Trainer


The following instructors may assist/apprentice (Mentorship) on this course:
Not Applicable

Assessment
The Flatwater Kayaking Instructor will be evaluated by the following methods:
1. Continuous evaluation (by observation) of skills throughout the course.
2. Written test of knowledge of course content of approximately one hour in length. Candidates
must achieve a mark of at least 80% to pass.
3. Written and/or oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content.
4. Ongoing evaluation (by observation) of the candidate’s performance in the areas of safety, care
of equipment, group dynamics and leadership.
5. A minimum of 2 demonstrations of teaching ability by each candidate, 1 of which shall be an “on
water” session in which the candidate teaches a Flatwater Kayaking skill. The candidate must
select a site appropriate to the skill being taught and to the skill level of the students. In addition,
development of appropriate teaching progression and strategies must be demonstrated. Teaching
topics may be previously assigned or chosen, or may be assigned at short notice from a
previously issued list. The course staff will determine the methods and number of tests in each
content area.
Retesting may occur at the Director’s discretion, but must be made available to all candidates if instituted
for one, in which case the second grade shall stand as the grade of record for that test. Retesting or
fulfillment of incomplete test items may occur after the Course and results at that time are final, unless the
Course Director decides to utilize the option of post Course retesting or evaluation subject to these
conditions:
• Post Course evaluation may be undertaken only be the Course Director or designate.
• It must occur within the same paddling season in which the course took place.
• There shall be no fee for the post course evaluation from the candidate, nor may the course
director ask any remuneration for this service except for payment of reasonable expenses.
The following grades will be used for the evaluation of each test item:
P - Pass
W - Weak
F - Fail, skill is very weak and needs major improvement to pass
The course staff will outline as clearly as possible the criteria, which determine P, W or F grading of each
test to the candidates prior to the test. To achieve Flatwater Kayaking Instructor status the candidate
must achieve a P in all tests. One W may be accepted at the discretion of the course staff.