An ACA Level 1 and 2 Regional Instructor Update weekend took place on June 1 and 2 at Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club in Yonkers, NY. Five ACA Instructor Trainers traveled from Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, and South Carolina to support approximately 35 river kayaking, canoeing, SUP, and touring kayak instructors. This event merged multiple paddlecraft and student-centered instruction strategies employing basic paddling concepts to facilitate learning across all the disciplines. There was focus on activities and games to facilitate learning and to build creative ways to assess skills while playing.
Multiple debriefing sessions revealed that many participants found liberation with paddling a craft they may not have previously mastered, and they welcomed the opportunity to make mistakes without judgement. Challenges such as sinking one end of a canoe to make a pivot turn, using a SUP to drain water from a canoe, and “all-in” rescues with no talking were entertaining to do and watch! Working outside of a preferred discipline helps instructors to break down skills into consumable bites to enhance teaching and learning. Everyone walked away from this event charged up with enthusiasm and new paddling friends.
When asked, “How did this experience compare to your expectations?” Here is what participants had to say:
“Met my expectations and more…. The group was wonderfully cooperative and engaging.”
“I found the multiple craft cross training to be a unique educational experience. I was never on an SUP before but was coached by my fellow instructor candidate to a successful standing position. The value of the activity was that everyone had something to teach AND something to learn.”