Why should kids have all the fun? Last week, Jean packed her lunchbox (and kayak, gear, and the good ol’ Subaru) to join friends in Norwalk for a 5-day Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) of the American Canoe Association (ACA). The course was taught by the A++ instructor-trainer, Scott Szczepaniak (a spelling bee unto himself) of Sea Kayak Carolina and hosted by Sea Kayak Connecticut, aka, David McPherson. Here, David explains all, as we Level 3 candidates perform a kayak-rescue water ballet in the background. (Click for video).

In case you’re curious, the curriculum consisted of the following (ideally, in 10- to 15-knot winds, 1- to 2-foot seas and/or breaking waves, and 1 to 2 knots of current). The “pop quiz” happens every time we go paddlin’ 🙂

Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently perform, assess and teach the basic paddle strokes and maneuvers, to include:
Forward (touring & power)
Reverse & stopping
Forward and reverse sweeps
Draw (in-water / out-of-water / sculling)
High and low braces
Sculling brace
Rudder
Low and high brace turns
Bow rudder
Side-Slip

Demonstrate the understanding of and the ability to effectively and efficiently perform, assess and teach boat control skills, to include:
Edge awareness and control
Launching and landing
Forward paddling, reverse paddling and maneuvering in a variety of sea states, wind conditions, wind directions and tidal current up to the Level 3 Coastal Kayaking certification course venue.

Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently perform, assess and teach rescue techniques in a variety of sea states, wind conditions, wind directions and tidal current up to the Level 3 Coastal Kayaking certification course venue:
Wet exit w/ spray skirt
Self-rescue (scramble, paddle float w/ and w/o sling)
Boat over boat rescue (T-rescue)
Eskimo rescue (bow / stern / paddle)
Scoop rescue
Unresponsive paddler rescue e.g. Hand-of-God
Swimmer recovery (bow, stern)

Working knowledge and individual proficiency in other rescues:
Reentry and roll w/ and w/o paddle float
Eskimo roll (individual proficiency – perform an Eskimo roll in conditions)

Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to effectively and efficiently perform, assess and teach, the following:
Safety issues and hazards of coastal kayaking
Development of a float plan
Equipment selection / packing
Weather forecasting resources and interpretation
Leave No Trace, understanding ecology, conservation and stewardship
Basic chart reading and use
Hypothermia and hyperthermia; prevention and treatment
Signaling devices and safety equipment
Boat traffic, rules of the road
Kayak design and equipment
Kayak towing technique

Demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently perform, assess and teach group and incident management skills and concepts, to include:
Communication and signaling (VHF radio protocol / pyrotechnics / smoke)
Situational awareness
Appropriate leadership, judgment and group management in a variety of open water coastal environment

Our class picture, including L2 and L3 candidates. Clockwise from top left: Scott and David (instructors), John, Jorge, Felix, Luke; Jean; Patrick, Eric, and Justin (from the Navy Submarine Base in Groton, CT), Drew; and Serena (also from Navy base)