American Canoe Association Paddlesports Safety Facilitator Certification, May 29-30 (1 or 2 days)
The Paddlesports Safety Facilitator course is geared to certify livery staff, parks and rec staff, and other entities that rent gear to the public. The course focuses on safe boating principles, land based rescue, and helping those who have capsized get back on their way. Combined with an assessment in either Canoe, Kayak, or Stand Up Paddleboards, this course would be appropriate for those taking others out on the water in order to be safer, more preventative, and competent in maneuvering and rescues.
Day 1: Basic Paddlesports Facilitator Certification course with 1 craft: The 1 day course includes the Paddlesports Safety Facilitator Certification and an assessment in 1 craft (Canoe, OR Kayak, OR Stand Up Paddleboard). The price includes a Paddle Sports Safety Facilitator certification, and an assessment certification for those passing the assessment. Cost for the 1 day course is: $70/person.
Day 2: Add a craft to your Paddlesport Safety Facilitator Certification: You can stay an extra day to add an additional craft (or 2) assessment to your certification. Each additional craft added is $25 (+day 1 fee). 1 craft only from 8:30-12:30; 2 crafts 8:30 – 5:00.
This course is appropriate for: Camps & Conference Centers offering programs on lakes or rivers; County & City Parks and Recreation Canoe Program Staff or Trip Leaders; Physical Education Programs wishing to teach paddling as a life-time sport; Current Certified Instructors needing updates; Anyone wishing to gain in their own skills as well; and Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts leaders wishing to lead trips for Scouting programs.
COURSE PRICE:1 day with 1 craft is $70. Day 2 with 1 additional craft adds $25. Day 2 with 2 additional crafts adds $50. A $55 non-refundable deposit (due by May 15) counts toward your total fee, and all balances are due before May 25. Cost includes all instruction, materials, and certifications/assessments. LOCATION: Buchanan, VA (James River) area; meeting location TBD at the river will be sent with course information. EQUIPMENT: Participants may bring their own boats, paddles and lifejackets, OR may rent gear for an additional fee for the duration of the course: $15 for canoe gear and $20 for kayak gear or SUP gear. Indicate equipment needs in your Registration Form below. INSTRUCTOR: Beth Wiegandt is a Canoe and Kayak Instructor-Trainer with the ACA, Chair of the ACA Introduction to Paddling Committee, and ACA Instructor for SUP and River Safety and Rescue. She's been instructing paddlers and leading area trips since 1989. Contact Beth at YourOutdoorClassroom@gmail.com. REGISTER BEFORE MAY 15: A minimum of 5 participants and maximum of 12 ensure that you receive the individual attention you need to succeed in this course. Register on line below. A $40 non-refundable deposit counts toward your total fee, and all balances are due before May 25. QUESTIONS: Contact Beth Wiegandt at YourOutdoorClassroom@gmail.com or 540-556-2594.
Register in 3 steps NOW for this course: 1. Make your deposit payment below through our secure "Register Now" PayPal button using any major credit card or a PayPal account. You must pay your deposit to register on-line, and all additional fees will be billed to you separately by e-mail in a few days. There are no additional fees or surcharges for on-line registration, and you will be able to review your fee prior to payment. 2. Submit Data: After successfully paying your deposit, PayPal will direct your browser to our secure ACA Course Registration Form. Allow at least 10 minutes to complete, and be as thorough as possible before you SUBMIT the form. 3. Get your Confirmation E-mail: After submitting your Registration Form, instructor Beth Wiegandt will contact you via e-mail. Add "YourOutdoorClassroom@gmail.com" to your contacts so that Beth can send you an e-mail with links to your course information, a required Health Form, any additional payments due, and important information about your course.
COVID 19 and other communicable diseases: Please be aware that we have several new protocols in place for our courses to help protect students and staff. All participants will be required to follow these protocols to participate in the course. 1. A pre-screening questionnaire will be sent to all participants and staff regarding personal health and contacts with others. 2. Masks/face coverings for the nose and mouth are required for all on-land portions of the class and whenever participants are within 6 feet of each other on the water (ie tandem canoe partners will need to wear masks unless they are from the same household unit). Face masks are recommended to be worn at all times during the course. 3. A 2-3 hour virtual classroom session will be held prior to the course start date to minimize close contact. Each participant is required to attend that session. 4. Daily temperature readings will be taken for all instructors and participants. Anyone with a temperature over 100 will not be able to join the class. 5. All participants are required to bring hand sanitizer and bleach wipes with them to the class and have them available for frequent use on and off the water. 6. Rental gear will be sanitized and assigned to the same person for the duration of the course. As much as possible, participants should bring their own equipment including rescue bags. 7. The expectation is that participants perform self rescues. This will be practiced within the venue, and venues will be chosen to minimize the need for rescues. 8. As much as possible, class will be conducted at "park and play" spots, eliminating the need for shuttle. This may necessitate additional drive times for the course.
Please note: Local and State regulations are subject to change with regards to travel, facilities, and resources. This may mean changes to the course as well. Please be as self-contained and flexible as possible so that we can all enjoy increasing our skills in a responsible manner.
