Courses

ACA (American Canoe Association) - Skills Assessments

The ACA skills assessment system we utilize is designed to supplement ACA Coastal Kayak courses to clarify the paddler’s path of progression, identify skill and knowledge level at the time of assessment, and assist in risk management decisions for sea kayakers. The following levels indicate an increasing level of skill, knowledge, seamanship, and sea kayaking experience.

Taking courses is an important phase of training for kayakers. But the courses alone are not enough. Follow up practice, time on the water, and the experience gained by paddling in varying conditions are necessary to learn and absorb the skills introduced in a course. Seamanship and good judgment are learned over a period of time.

Level 1: Essentials of Coastal Kayaking

The ACA Level 1 kayak course is designed to help students gain the ability to perform basic strokes and manuevers in calm water, in a sea kayak. Students will also perform assisted and un-assisted deep water rescues in calm water. No prior kayaking experience is required. Recreational kayaks are allowed in the Level 1 course, but the student's learning experience will be heightened by the use of a sea kayak.

The L1 kayak course will start at 10 am on calm, protected water. Students should plan to arrive about 15-20 minutes early in order to have boats unloaded and prepare for the course. Boats and equipment are provided in the L1 course (price discounted for students bringing their own boats and gear). Students should be prepared to bring food, drink, spare clothing and clothing suitable for immersion and appropriate to the weather conditions. Students bringing their own boats and paddling gear should bring the following equipment (If you're not bringing your own, this is what will be provided for you): Kayak with sealed bulkheads or proper floatation, Type 3 or 5 pfd, sprayskirt with release strap, paddle, paddle float, bilge pump and sponge.

The skills covered in the Level 1 course includes the following from the "Intro to Kayak" course:

Basic Equipment & Boat "Lingo"
Lifting, Carrying and Securing a Kayak
Launching and Landing
Stokes: Foward, Reverse, Turning, Rotating, Stopping

Additional skills that will be covered in a Level 1 course:

Wet Exits
Deep Water Rescue: Assisted and Un-assisted Recoverie
Draw Sideways
Bracing to Prevent Capsize
Ruddering

Depending on the progression of the course, the beginnings of other skills will be taught.

Level 2: Stokes and rescues

ACA L2 Touring Course (new for 2011) is a great course for those who have experience in kayaks and are looking to refine their basic strokes, learn new stroke comginations and maneuvers, and advance their ability to recue themsleces and others. You will also have the possibility on starting to learn how to roll your kayak during this course. The L2 Touring course is a full-daty course and includes the kayak and all equipment needed for the day. The following skilss are taught during a Level 2 Touring Training, which is held on calm protected water.

Tips to Improve your Forward and Revese Pdaddling, Turning & Draws
Hanging Draw and Draw on the Move
High & Low Brace Recoveries
Bow, Stern & Mid-ship Rudder Turns
Bow & Paddle Presentation Rescues
Alternate Solo & Partner Re-entry Methods
Rolling (As time allows)

Level 3: Open Water Kayaking, Stroke Refinement, Rolling

ACA L3 Training is where we move past beginner skills and into intermediate skills. As an L# paddler all your strokes are fine tuned. Before paddling on your own we feel that 3 Star and Canoe Safety is important. By 3 Star Assessment you should also have most of the basic personal equipment needed, even if you don't own a kayak yet. This course is intended for kayakers who have completed BCU 1 and 2 Star Training and/or Assessment and ACA L2 Training/Assessment. We will build upon what we learned in the first two courses. As we paddle, we will fine tune strokes which include: forward, reverse, sweep, rudder, and braces.

Following is the skills needed for the L3 Award
Each candidate must satisfactorily perform each of the skills
Sculling draw - An effective sideways motion must be evident
Sculling support - Both sides
Recovery strokes - Good solid hanging support strokes with kayak completely off balance
Draw stroke - Performed on the move. Both sides
Bow rudder - An effective 180 degree turn (both directions)
Eskimo rescue - The rescuer moving in from 5 meters distance
Tilting the kayak to assist turning. Turn a circle with forward paddling strokes (no sweeps) obtaining the turning moment by holding the kayak tilted on to its gunnel (Both directions.)
Demonstrate satisfactory beginnings in:
- Single-handed rescue. An effective lone rescue of another kayaker, returning him/her to his/her kayak in deep water.
- Eskimo roll. The candidate should come up within three attempts, during each of which the assessor may guide or hold the blade of the paddle, but not touch the boat or paddler. A half roll is acceptable (i.e. down and up on the same side).
Journeying

Provide evidence of at least 3 journeys of 12nm (about 3 hours duration each).

For an assessment at L3, paddlers will have experience paddling on short day trips in calm to moderate open water conditions, using the seamanship, navigation, judgment, and group leadership necessary on such trips.

download course syllabus

Level 4: Open Water Stroke Refinement, Surf Zone, Tidal Currents, Rolling, Navigation

Skills Covered:

Perform a wide range of strokes and maneuvers efficiently and with grace and style in moderate to rough open water conditions
Effectively brace in rough water
Use an efficient boat tilt that can be used for a variety of maneuvers in moderate to rough seas
Paddle efficiently in any direction in Force 4 wind (16 knots) and seas
Negotiate moderate surf (up to 3 feet) in all directions with good boat control
Negotiate moderate current (3 knots), including ferrying and eddy turns, with good boat control
Perform a variety of assisted rescues and self rescue in rough water conditions
Perform a roll in rough water
Use a variety of towing techniques in open water

download course syllabus

There is a major difference between an assessment and a course. The course introduces a set of skills and body of knowledge to the student. An assessment measures the ability to use various skills and knowledge and rates the paddler accordingly. The courses are recommended for each assessment level, but the skills covered in each course must be learned and absorbed in order to pass an assessment.

download course syllabus

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