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Be ready for the unexpected! Sea states can change quickly. Revisit old techniques and learn new ones during this intensive one-day training. Learn to handle situations in dynamic ocean conditions when things are going less than perfect. This class takes your flat water rescues and brings them into rough water. Paddlers can get themselves into tricky predicaments. Boats and gear can become damaged. How do you respond quickly and effectively to these incidents?The first step towards learning how best to deal with these eventualities is to train for them. Rock, Paddle, Surf strongly believes in the mantra that “practice makes permanent” so the more you have correctly practiced the appropriate techniques, the more ingrained they become and more easily accessible when required. The course will cover rough water scenarios, medical emergency scenarios, weather, communications, tricky landings, on water gear / boat repairs, navigation, towing and much more. It has been designed for anyone with some training in rescue techniques although a kayak roll is not needed. It is recommended for all paddlers, whether or not they lead others in the marine environment. Things to note: It will be June. It will be Maine. It will be the ocean. It will be cold water. Dress for immersion as we will be in the water. You must bring a water-sports approved helmet, a tow system, and any gear that you would normally have with you while paddling. Bring your ideas! Cost for the 1 day course: Rock, Paddle, Surf is committed to supporting the maintaining of high standards of professional training for working Maine sea kayak guides and instructors. To this end, Rock, Paddle, Surf offers this course at the discounted price of $35 for members of MASKGI. Non-members $140. To register: Please call 207-939-6045 or email liz@maineislandkayak.com.

Hello All – Even though it still feels like summer out there, the 7th Annual Autumn Gales is right around the corner. We have quite a line of up coaches and courses happening. Check out the website here for all the info and how to register. Prior to the Autumn Gales main event on Oct 30 – Nov 1st, there are a number of British Canoeing trainings and assessments: Coastal Navigation (Oct 28th)Open Water Nav (Oct 28th)4 Star Training (Oct 29-30th)4 Star Assessment (Oct 29-30th)5 Star Training (Oct 29-30th) And new this year, we are offering the ACA Level 5 ICE October 28th – Oct 30th The Autumn Gales main event features a variety of classes including advanced boat handling skills in conditions, tide race courses and incident management. For coaches, Nigel Dennis, Eila Wilkinson, and Phil Clegg are back this year. Peter Jones, who couldn’t make last year, is also back. We also have some new faces to the Gales – Keirron from the Isle of Man and Dale Williams from Georgia. And, of course, our rough water local guides will be there to help. It’s sure to be a rocking time so hope to see you there! Peace & Cheers, Paula & Greg

Greetings, Josh Hall, John Carmody and Todd A Johnstone-Wright will be offering an ACA Level 5 IDW in Maine this summer and it should prove to be a hoot. Cheers, Todd American Canoe Association Level 5: Advanced Open Water (AOW) IDW Level 4 OW/Level 5 AOW Update Dates: June 8-11, 2015 *Lodging is available through 10 AM on June 12th. Location: The IDW/Update will be based out on Georgetown Island, Maine. This location provides candidates with access to a variety of OW and AOW venues within a 1 hour commute. Overview: The purpose of the Level 5 AOW IDW, L5/L4 Update is to expose candidates to a variety of teaching/coaching methods and behaviors intended to enhance an individual candidate’s current practice. At the core the Level 5 IDW is designed to develop an individual’s knowledge, understanding and ability as it pertains to teaching, instructing and coaching in the OW/AOW environment. This course will encourage instructors to put modern educational and coaching theory into practice with the goal of creating highly differentiated and contextualized sessions. Upon completion of the course candidates will leave with a detailed, written action plan to guide them as they prepare for assessment. Corresponding ICE: For those interested in assessing, we plan to host an authentic, performance based ICE November 20-22 2015; this provides candidates a full season to work on their action plan and prepare for assessment. The assessment will begin at 6PM on the 20th and candidates will have the opportunity to teach, instruct and coach authentic students in AOW environments on the 21st and 22nd. Why do we separate training and assessment? While the ICW (Instructor Certification Workshop) has become an increasingly popular method of certifying instructors and is a valid mode of acquiring an ACA Instructor Certification it poses numerous challenges. In regard to Level 5, historically the course has been offered as an ICE, as all candidates are required to be Level 4 Instructors. In both cases, it is unrealistic to expose candidates to potentially new concepts and content early in a course and expect unconscious competence or mastery in days or hours without adequate time for practice and application. It is equally unrealistic for assessors to perform a formal, objective examination in the context of a training course, when candidates are expected to be experimenting with new concepts, content and coaching behaviors. Therefore, under the ICW or traditional Level 5 ICE model, candidates are often assessed based on personal paddling in the L5 venue, and their ability to teach pre-assigned content in a structured method to peers rather than real students. Our goal is to develop instructors who are both excellent paddlers and highly skilled and creative teachers, instructors and coaches, who upon assessment have the opportunity to work with real students in the Level 5 venue and address their individual needs. ACA L5 AOW IDW Pre-Requisites: · To be eligible for Level 5: Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Certification, an individual must be a currently certified Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor in good standing for a minimum of 2 years. · Meet the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria · Meet the General Requirements for ACA Instructor Certification ACA L5 AOW Update Pre-Requisites (minimum): · Teach and Report to the National Office at least two courses that meet the L5 AOW standard within the four year certification period. · Maintain ACA Membership and SEIC Registration annually. · Possess current First Aid and age appropriate CPR credentials. ACA L4 OW Update Pre-Requisites (minimum): Teach and Report to the National Office at least two courses that meet the L4 OW standard within the four year certification period.Maintain ACA Membership and SEIC Registration annually.Possess current First Aid and age appropriate CPR credentials.It is recommended that Instructors participating in the course either as an IDW or Instructor Update demonstrate experience teaching, coaching and paddling in diverse and complex coastal environments and demonstrate the ability to teach/coach a variety of ability levels. While evidence of this is not required a “logbook” is appreciated. Instructional Staff: Josh Hall Outdoor Program Manager Charleston Country Parks and Recreation Commission American Canoe Association Level 5 Instructor Training Educator · Todd A Johnstone-Wright Director of Wilderness Programs/Associate Dean Saint Michael's College British Canoe Union Level 5 Coach Sea American Canoe Association Level 5 Instructor Trainer Educator · John Carmody Owner Sea Cliff Kayakers British Canoe Union Level 5 Coach Sea American Canoe Association Level 5 Instructor Course Fee: $850.00 The course fee includes course materials, instruction, assessment and lodging. It does not include, transport, meals, ACA membership, or SEIC dues. Equipment: For candidates traveling by air boats, paddles and other equipment can be provided, please contact Todd for details. Additional Information/Registration: For additional information or registration materials please contact Todd Johnstone-Wright at twright@smcvt.edu or call 802.238.6664.

Wondering if folks have opinions on ACA or BCU for the following: Individual training and certificationLeader/Instructor training and certificationWhy might a person choose one over the other? Thanks! Cathy