Geneva Kayak Center
swrescue

Courses

ACA Safety & Rescue INstructor Programs

Geneva Kayak Center offers a full range of rescue instructor certification programs through the American Canoe Association. Geneva Kayak is an ACA Pro School, recognized by the ACA for our excellence in instruction. Our goal is to develop well-rounded instructors who are adept at:

  • Utilizing modern coaching methods
  • Creating meaningful learning experiences for their students
  • Teaching modern rescue technique(s)
  • Developing safe and effective rescue scenarios for students
  • Creating a greater awareness of the rescue environment

Our philosophy is to give you multiple coaching tools that will transfer to different regions, environments and populations, de-emphasizing a specific way of teaching or modeling. Another aim for the evaluation portion of the workshops is to make the process as "real", accurate and fair as possible. When candidates are being evaluated for their teaching abilities, we bring in actual students so candidates are not asked to pretend their peers (candidates) are beginner students.

GKC offers several levels of certification so paddlers, guides and rescuers with differing experience and skill levels can become instructors. Expectations for candidates entering these programs differ based on the level of certification sought. If you are interested in becoming an instructor and have questions about what level of certification is best for you, please read the course descriptions below and give us a call at (630) 882-9211. We're happy to talk with you about this process!


About the Process
Swiftwater Rescue instructor programs are run in the ICW format. An ICW is a combined training and evaluation which takes place over the course of 3 to 6 days (dependent on level of certification). The first part of the workshop will key in on giving instructor candidates the tools to teach modern rescue methods, conduct (safe, effective and fun) rescue workshops, and develop their students into effective rescuers in the moving water and whitewater environment.

Is Certification For Me?
The ACA needs quality instructors at all levels of certification. If you love paddling and working with others in the outdoors, then certification is for you. However, ICW's are not the place to learn rescue skills. If you are looking at learning/improving rescue skills, we would recommend our Swiftwater Rescue Workshops. Instructor workshops are focused on giving you the tools to be a fun, effective and safe instructor. We will address rescue skills within the context of learning how to effectively teach rescues.

About the Trainers
Geneva Kayak Center Owner, Ryan Rushton, has been a L5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor since 2004. In 20012, he will be working under the mentorship of Sam Fowlkes, L5 ITE and Rescue 3 Instructor Trainer. Sam will be the lead trainer for the SW Rescue Instructor Certification Workshops, supervising and training Ryan as he pursues his SW Rescue IT Certification.


Level 2 & 3 - Essentials & Rescue Instructor

Our Level 2/3 program is run in an ICW format with two days of training and one day of evaluation. Level 2 and 3 Rescue instructors are teaching paddlers safety and rescue skills that can be performed with simple gear that all paddlers can carry on a river trip (boat, paddle, throw rope and rescue PFD). Instructors are certified to run workshops in up to Class II whitewater. Topics taught include safe whitewater swimming technique, effective throw bag usage, wading rescues, boat-based rescues and avoidance, self-rescue and simple rescue technique for pins and entrapments. Level 3 Instructors can construct, manage and utilize rescue scenarios for optimal learning for rescue students.

The Level 2/3 Safety and Rescue Instructor Certification Workshop is held at the Geneva Kayak Center on the Yorkville Whitewater Park. The workshop includes classroom, on-shore, on-water and in-water exercises. Candidates should be prepared for immersion.

Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW)
Location: Geneva Kayak Center - Yorkville Whitewater Course
Cost: $350
Dates: TBD

Candidates will need to provide their own boat, paddling gear (rentals available) and rescue equipment, purchase an ACA Instructor Manual, and become members of the ACA as well as the SEIC. Click here for more info on the criteria for a L2 & L3 Safety and Rescue Instructor.


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Level 4 & 5 - Swiftwater & Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

The Level 4 & 5 Instructor program is run in an ICW format over the course of 5-6 Days. Level 4 and 5 Rescue instructors are teaching and assessing rescue skills in the Class III environment. Teaching topics taught by L4 & 5 Instructors cover most rescue scenarios including pins, entrapments, boat-based rescues, unconscious/unable victims and more. For a list of rescues that Level 4 and 5 rescue instructors can teach, please click here to view the criteria.

The Level 4-5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor workshop is held on the rivers of northeastern Wisconsin including the Wolf, Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers. The workshop includes classroom, on-shore, on-water and in-water exercises. Candidates should be prepared for immersion.

L4/5 Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) - Northern Wisconsin
Location: Wolf, Peshtigo & Menominee Rivers, WI
Cost: $600.00
Dates: May 7-12, 2012

Candidates will need to provide their own boat, paddling gear (rentals available) and rescue equipment, purchase an ACA Instructor Manual, and become members of the ACA as well as the SEIC. Click here for more info on the criteria for a L2 & L3 Safety and Rescue Instructor.


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Update or Upgrade Your ACA Certification

Update Your Certification
You can update your certification by taking part in an IDW, ICE, ICW (at your current certification). Another option for updating your certification is to take part in an appropriately leveled Update program. While updating your certification may seem obligatory, updates are a wonderful opportunity to learn new methods and processes and improve your craft as an instructor.

SWR Instructor Update in Yorkville
Location: Geneva Kayak Center, Yorkville
Cost: TBD
Dates: TBD

Upgrade Your Certification
You can upgrade your instructor certification (or gain certification in another discipline) by taking part in a ICE or ICW at the level of certification taught. It is not mandatory to take an IDW, but candidates should take note if you are working with a different Instructor Trainer within your discipline or crossing over to a different discipline, there may be slight variances in expectations for candidates. The best way to ensure a successful result would be to participate in the development portion OR simply have a conversation with the IT to understand his or her expectations.


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Click Here to view upcoming courses offered by the Geneva Kayak Center.