Outdoors with Grace and KayakPower are announcing our North Texas / Oklahoma Spring ACA Instruction Training schedule. We are offering several opportunities to achieve an ACA certification in Paddlesport Safety Facilitator, Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking or Level 2 Essentials of River paddling skills and instructor certifications.
ACA Instruction courses include:
ACA Paddlesport Safety Facilitator
This 1-day class provides an quick start kayaking class with an extra focus on Paddlesport Safety and managing groups on the water. The internationally recognized ACA Paddlesport Safety Facilitator endorsement is ideal for employees of City Parks and Recreation Departments, Scout and Summer Camps and aquatics programs offering water-based activities.
In addition to the basic paddling equipment review and stroke mechanics we cover environmental awareness, trip planning, risk assessment and mitigation strategies and rescue techniques to ensure you are equipped for safe paddling on calm North Texas and Oklahoma lakes and rivers.
This endorsement is the perfect starting point for those wanting to continue their paddling journey with paddling instructor certifications To learn more about this ACA Instruction – Training certification click here.
ACA Instruction: Level 1 Instructor Certification
Develop the paddling and teaching skills necessary to become an American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Instructor. This is a two+ day session that includes both in person, on the water and a Zoom session to achieve certification. The in person sessions will build your skills to orient students to the proper use of essential paddling gear, basic paddle stroke mechanics and provide a foundation for understanding learning styles and teaching techniques.
Day one focuses on the flow of an Introduction to Kayaking class, providing an overview of required kayak equipment, stroke mechanics and rescue techniques to ensure you are equipped for safe paddling on calm lakes and rivers.
Day two further develops teaching techniques and learning styles with plenty of time to practice the paddling and teaching skills. A follow on Zoom session will cover ACA instructor policies, website navigation and Course Management Tool. With proper teaching and demonstration of skills, participants will achieve ACA Certified Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Instructor status. Participation in previous Outdoors with Grace or KayakPower.com Introduction to Kayaking class or ACA Skill Assessment required to apply for Instructor status.
ACA Instruction: Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking
Classes are available for skills development or instructor certification. The skills class will allow you to develop and hone your paddling skills on moving water. Participants will spend 2 days at one of the area rivers with moving water. If your river boat handling skills are strong you are able to submit for instructor certification that will add an additional day to the learning journey.
Day one includes paddling stroke review and demonstration as we run the river with water safety in place, allowing time to break down strokes and the components of water features as we progress downriver. Day two is reserved for a run of the river at a pace for you to feel the excitement of Texas whitewater with your newly developed skills.
If Instructor certification is desired, a day will be added to allow time for learning and demonstrating teaching techniques, develop an understanding of the ACA, its’ tools, benefits and policies.
ACA Instruction: PSF Dates and locations:
- Wednesday April 24, 2024 – Lake Grapevine, Grapevine Texas
- Monday May 13, 2024 – Lake Grapevine, Grapevine Texas
- Sunday May 26, 2024 – Glen Rose Texas
ACA Instruction: Level 1 Intro to Kayaking Dates and locations:
- Starts Wednesday April 24 – 25, 2024 – Lake Grapevine, Grapevine Texas
- Starts Tuesday May 14- 15, 2024 – Lake Grapevine, Grapevine Texas
- Starts Saturday May 25-26, 2024 – Glen Rose Texas
ACA Instruction: Level 2 Essentials of River Kayaking Dates and locations:
- Saturday/Sunday March 2-3, 2024 – San Marcos River, San Marcos Texas
- Saturday/Sunday April 20-21, 2024 – LLELA, Lewisville, Texas
