ACA Instructor Certification Syllabus

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in:

1] Safety Awareness:

a] Prevention: Knowledge of river hazards and safety & personal safety. Ability to assertively manage a group when necessary and alertness for the well being of others is critical.

b] Presentation: Ability to communicate safety concerns to the group and apply them on water. Instructors must consistently model and practice safe paddling and group leadership at their level of certification.

c] Proficiency: Perform rescues and recoveries on moving whitewater (Class II)

2] General Technical Knowledge:
ACA Instructor Candidates require the general technical knowledge on equipment, conditioning, paddling theory, river reading, river running strategies and rescue.

3] Paddling Skills:
ACA Instructor Candidates should be thoroughly familiar with basic river running maneuvers including eddy turns, peel outs, ferries, and must be able to handle their own boat competently on a level of water one classification above that on which they will be certified to teach. High-quality boat control in Class III water is mandatory. Candidates must have a reliable river roll that they can demonstrate three times in a row in a combat situation. They must possess good balance, effective strokes, use correct angles, momentum, and have the ability to read water well. In other words, paddling with grace, control, and mental tranquility, not just surviving.

High quality boat control means making the moves with “demonstration quality. Modeling should be done in a way that provides students with a clear visual image of the technique being taught without shortcuts. ACA Instructors Candidates should always be modeling good technique to their students.

4] On River & Classroom Teaching:
ACA Instructor Candidates will demonstrate the ability to explain, in layman's terms, the mechanics of stroke efficiency, maneuvers, and safety concerns. Teaching skills include: logistics, lesson organization, class control, teaching of specific technical topics, technique analysis, and demonstration of leadership skills and judgment.





ACA Instructor Trainer Evaluation System

Observations:
Evaluation of teaching and class interactions throughout the week.

Paddling Technique:
Proficiency test on Class III whitewater.

Presentations:
ACA Instructor Candidates are required to present two and five minute “teaching topics”directed toward beginning students. Evaluation centers on the quality of content, class interaction, and degree of prioritization. Successful candidates must be able to employ a variety of teaching methods. A quality presentation keeps the attention of the audience, organizes information in a logical way, and gives a level of detail appropriate to the level of students being taught. A successful teacher conveys enthusiasm for the sport and an ability to connect with students.

Subjectivity:
Certifying an individual as an ACA Kayak Instructor, in the final analysis, is up to the ACA Instructor Trainer. The trainer has to rely on his or her experience and careful observation before granting an instructor certificate. Candidates attending this week of instructor training should not be expecting a certification for showing up to the class. Candidates who do not meet the criteria for whitewater may be certified in moving water or flat-water at the discretion of the instructor trainer. In addtion to the ACA Kayak Instructor Certification Program a Class 5 Elite Instructor/ Guide Endorsement can be earned. You will be evaluated by Chris Spelius on the most difficult sections of the Futaleufu River.

Elite Instructor / Guide Special Endorsement - Class V

We will present intensive advanced workshops on rolling, safety for Class V paddlers, guiding Class V groups, and Class V boat control.

Rolling Skills:
Modeling of the following rolls: Sweep, C-to-C, Back Deck, Back Deck Rodeo, and some understanding of hybrid rolls. You will be required to demonstrate teaching sequences for 4 of these rolls.

Safety Skills:
Simulated rescue underneath the Mundaca rapid on the Futaleufu river. Safety rescue techniques demonstrated in bringing in a kayaker and boat without problems.

Paddling Skills:
The Elite Instructor / Guide Candidate will demonstrate river skills by successfully descending 3 of the 5 Class 5 rapids. Casa de Piedra, Terminator, and the Infierno canyon.

Leadership Skills:
Safely leading a group of our instructors through the Class V Casa de Piedra.

A certificate and a letter of recommendation from Chris Spelius will be given to all candidates that successfully complete the advanced workshops and examination. Passing candidates are welcome to apply for a kayak guide position with Expediciones Chile for the following season. If you are interested in this option please call the Expediciones Chile office.

ACA Instructor Certification Week

Day 1: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive at either of our entry points in Puerto Montt, Chile or Esquel, Argentina, the gateways to Patagonia. Connect with our representative and travel to the remote riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. Here you will find your accommodations at Kayak Chile's spectacular Tres Monjas Eco-Camp. A hearty meal, hot sauna, and wonderful views welcome you to Chile.

Days 2-4: ACA Instructor Development Workshop (IDW)
Over the next three days we will go over all the essential skills needed to pass the ACA Instructors Examination Course. Instruction will take place primarily on the Rio Espolon (Class II/III) and El Macal Section of the Futaleufu.

Day 5: Bridge to Bridge Section - Day Off
The kayaking this day is filled with the big exploding waves for which the Futaleufu is world famous. We put-in at the “Zapata's” swinging bridge and run the “"Corazón", – the Heart of the Futaleufu - previously named "The Continuous Section". Here you will kayak Futaleufu whitewater continuously through Class IV big water action, including “"Entrada", “"Pillow", and “"Mundaca", one of the largest breaking wave-holes in the world. This is Futaleufu kayaking at its best! This non-stop Class IV section will keep your adrenaline pumping and the evening air filled with good cheer and plenty of fireside stories.

Days 6-7: ACA Instructor Certification Exam (ICE)
Over the next two days you will be evaluated on your knowledge, technical skills, modeling form, and leadership abilities. The examination will be both in the classroom and on the water. The paddling proficiency evaluation will occur on the "El Macal" Section.

Day 8: Departure
Wake up for an early breakfast and drive back to Chaiten, Chile and your flight to Puerto Montt, or relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle to Esquel, Argentina. As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist.

PRICE: $1995.00 USD

Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, guides and kayaks while paddling with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Puerto Montt or Esquel. See the Whitewater Kayaking packing list for specific details. The actual Futaleufu River Valley Week program for your individual trip may vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, the water levels, weather, or other factors.

Join us for a second week of paddling on the Futaleufu for an additional $900.00 USD

	Experience Needed: Class III+ minimum for WKI Physical Challenge: High Cultural Experience: Medium High Lodging: Lodge Comfort Rating: High Days away from home: 10 Days with us: 8 Max Trip Size: 12 Price: $1995.00 USD Region: Futaleufu River Valley, Patagonia Chile Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Pacific Ocean, Chaiten, Futaleufu Village, Campo Tres Monjas, Rio Futaleufu, Rio Azul, Rio Espolon