1. UPDATED NATIONAL INSTRUCTOR COURSES POSTED
A list of upcoming instructor courses is now posted under Instruction News for Sea Kayaking, Canoeing, SUP, and River Kayak (CKC / PC). We hope this will make it easier to find an instructor course near you.
2. INSTRUCTOR MENU (Instructor Services Menu)
Some of the instructor resource pages have moved on PaddleCanada.com. Here is a list of resource pages that used to be in the members area only, that are now on the public end of the site under the Instructors menu tab => Instructor Resources:
- Safety Briefing (NEW based on Transport Canada guidelines)
- Liability Insurance (summary of current insurance for PC courses)
- Course Fees (list of course fees and applicable taxes - $25 per instructor or $8 per student if the course has less than 2 participants)
- Order Materials (waiver/cert cards, PC ball caps, PC flags, and soon, T-Shirts!)
- Accident / Injury Protocol (Accident Report Form)
- Standards of Conduct for PC Instructors (NEW)
- Intoxicant Policy (NEW)
- Privacy Policy
- Safety Blog (NEW links related to boating and paddling safety)
- PC & Partner Logos (downloadable low- and hi-res logos for your promo use)
Other Instructor Resources in the Members Only Login Area (PaddleBuzz.ca)
Instructor Services Menu:
- My Courses (view past, current, and upcoming courses and register/report and pay courses)
- My Mentorships (view courses you have apprenticed on or have mentored other instructors on)
- My Invoices Owing (view outstanding course invoices)
- My Schools (view organizations you have taught for)
- Waiver and Liability Forms (adult, youth, and French waivers)
- Sea Kayak Program (manuals and teaching resources)
- River Kayak Program (manuals and teaching resources)
- Canoe Program (manuals and teaching resources)
- SUP Program (manuals and teaching resources)
- Additional Forms (certification wallet cards and course certificates)
3. NEW POLICY DOCUMENTS
- Safety Briefing
- Standards of Conduct for Instructors
- Intoxicant Policy
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with these 3 new documents posted under the Instructor menu tab, then the Instructor Resources sub-menu. (see #2 above)
4. AGE PRE-REQS ON PC COURSES
There have been numerous inquiries to office about age requirements for courses.
- There is no age restriction for any SKILL course. Course directors are to use their discretion in accepting young and old participants on courses. It's a judgement call based on a participant's size, physical ability, and maturity (for youngsters, although this could apply to some adults too). Don't forget to have parents sign the Youth Waivers.
- A minimum age requirement does apply for all INSTRUCTOR Courses:
16 years old.
5. UPDATES TO PROGRAM MANUALS & RESOURCES (members area)
Under the Canoe Program link, you will find:
- New versions (April 2011) of the Lake Canoe & Moving Water Manuals
- New Safety Briefing and Canoe Strokes Documents (May 2011)
- New Canoe Poling Making Document (May 2011)
- Updated versions of
- Ratios, Course Lengths, and How to Become an Instructor
- International River Classification System
- Program Progression Charts
- Assistant Apprentice and Mentorship Information
Under the SUP Program link, you will find:
- New SUP Program Manual - Version 2.1 - May 2011
- SUP Instructor Resources: Some SUP website resource sites have been shared on the Instructor Resource blog pages.
6. COURSES vs CLINICS
A course is defined as teaching the full curriculum outlined in the PC program manual for that specific level. An evaluation is done and certification is awarded to participants at the end.
A clinic is defined as teaching only a portion or specific section of a full course curriculum. In other words, a clinic is a course where no certification is awarded since not all the requirements for the course would be met.
To offer a clinic, the clinic must follow the guidelines as outlined for a Paddle Canada Skill Level course. To register a clinic, you must register it the same as a full course and then check the Clinic box. Clinics are subject to the same criteria for administration as a regular course. Waivers must still be signed, ratios maintained, and course fees remitted.
7. AND FINALLY... a Big Reminder to All PC Instructors Regarding Certification Cards and Certificates
It is the responsibility of all instructors to issue cards and/or certificates following their courses. The PC office no longer issues certification or instructor membership cards. The office is getting many misguided requests for proof of certification from 2009 and 2010 course participants.
Please find and print certification cards under Additional Forms link=> Instructor Services menu. Note: If you are unable to print cards yourself - most local printing stores like Staples can provide this service in a fast, reliable time frame.
BC mourns the loss of Kayaking Instructor Brian Creer
Alberta's Paddle Canada Moving-Water Symposium