Instructor Trainer Services
Maintaining IT Status | Course Admin Policies & Procedures | Roles and Responsibilities | Insurance | Instructor Certification Upgrade Subsidy
Instructor Trainer Information
Download ARCA Instructor Trainer Form 2003 
ARCA is constantly trying to improve the programs we offer. Consistency across the province and adherence to written Standards is very important. We welcome your feedback and participation in the evolution and development of the programs.
Contact ARCA to register or for more information:
phone toll free 1 877 388 2722 or email:info@abcanoekayak.org
How to become an ARCA Instructor Trainer:
- Certification at the level above must be achieved (consult the Standards Document or certification descriptions for specific details)
- One course must be co-taught with a qualified and certified Instructor Trainer. Written documentation must be forwarded to ARCA.
- One course must be taught by the candidate and evaluated by a certified and qualified Instructor Trainer. Written documentation and evaluation must be forwarded to ARCA. Documentation of prerequisites must be included. Final IT status will be granted by the ARCA Education Chair / Board. The applicant will be notified in writing.
- Re-certifications: In order to maintain current status of a certificate, instructor trainers must attend an examiners' briefing once every two years. Instructors must maintain a current membership with ARCA & CRCA(when appropriate).
To achieve Instructor Trainer status with Paddle Canada, please refer to the Paddle Canada Website and/or Canoeing / Kayaking /Sea Kayaking Program Manuals.
How to maintain a current IT status:
To keep your IT status current, each IT must attend a scheduled Instructor Trainer briefing once every two years. You must also pay your ARCA membership dues.
ARCA COURSE ADMINISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ARCA Course Registration Procedures: how to register an ARCA Course a minimum of 10 days prior to course
ARCA Liability insurance covers those ARCA Instructor courses that are conducted by current Instructor Trainers and sanctioned by ARCA. In order for a course to be sanctioned, it must be registered with the ARCA office a minimum of ten (10) days prior to the course start date.
Download ARCA Course Registration form
Course Registration Forms can be emailed, faxed or mailed in to ARCA. Please review the course policies on the course registration formand note the following important items for your course:
- Courses must be run with a minimum of 3 participants. Any less and the full value of the testing can not be realized. Instructor Trainers CAN NOT simply paddle with someone and pronounce them an instructor. In order for instructor certifications to be recognized, candidates must attend a full course that has been sanctioned by ARCA.
- All participants must sign waivers prior to start the course. Please contact ARCA for a copy of a waiver form.
- Participants should receive course materials and manuals prior to the start of the course.
- If you are running a sanctioned ARCA/Paddle Canada course (or just planning to go on a canoe trip) you should know where the nearest Emergency Facilities are located (Hosptial/Health Clinic and RCMP detachments). The full contact information for the nearest Emergency Facilities to your course location must be listed on your course registration form. Below please find links that will assist you in locating these Alberta facilities:
Alberta Hospital & Clinic Directory
http://www.health.alberta.ca/regions/Hospital_directory.pdf
Alberta RCMP Directory
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ab/dist_det/det_e.htm
ARCA Course Reporting Procedures: how to submit a Course Report within 30 days of course completion
At the completion of the course, within 30 days from course date completion, the following information should be sent directly to ARCA:
- completed 'Course Report Form and 'ARCA Participants Information Form' (ensure that this form has all the correct and legible contact/address information for the participants)
- completed participant waivers
- appropriate membership fees
- Once the ARCA admin has received this package and the certification fees, ARCA will mail certification cards to successful participants to the address given on the 'ARCA Participant Information Form'.
Download ARCA Course Report
Course Safety Policies
ARCA is committed to the promotion of safe paddling in Alberta. It is the policy of ARCA that:
- Coast Guard approved PFD's will be worn by course instructors and participants at all times when at or near the water when appropriate.
- All course instructors and participants paddling on moving water will wear helmets where appropriate. All other Coast Guard regulations will be adhered to at all times (see below).
- For moving water courses, canoes should be equipped with a throwbag and proper floatation.
- The Instructor Trainer will choose testing / teaching sites that are free from unnecessary hazards.
Coast Guard Safe Boating Requirements
Everyone who operates a boat is responsible for:
- operating it in a safe and competent manner
- ensuring it is in a seaworthy and reliable condition
- equipping it with approved safety equipment that is in good condition and easily accessible
Minimum required equipment:
(Canoes, Kayaks, Rowboats and Rowing Shells not over 6 meters (18'8") in length)
- an approved PFD (personal floatation device) or lifejacket
- one buoyant heaving line of not less than 15 m in length (aka throw bag)
- one manual propelling device (aka paddle) ORan anchor with not less than 15 m of cable, rope or chain
- one bailer or manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to pump water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel
- a sound signaling device or a sound signaling appliance (aka whistle)
- navigation lights that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset and before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility. (for a canoe, a single light is sufficient, e.g. waterproof flashlight, lantern or torch)
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
As an ARCA Instructor Trainer, you are assuming the responsibility for conducting and examining ARCA Instructor courses. Once you submit your course reports and pass an instructor candidate you are telling ARCA, the candidate, potential employees and participants that this person has fulfilled the skill and theory requirements to be a safe and knowledgeable canoe instructor. It is more than just watching people paddle. You are looking for consistent, demonstration quality strokes and maneuvers along with adequate communication, basic safety awareness and instructional ability. Don't sell ARCA or yourself short, before you submit that passing grade, make sure that the candidate has the skills and experience for that instructional level. Your name and reputation will be at stake as much as ARCA's.
As an ARCA Instructor Trainer your responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that the participants have the prerequisite skills before they get to the course.
If they don't meet the required level then they shouldn't be taking the course - you'll be doing yourself and the other course candidates a big favour by saying NO. - Ensuring that you follow proper administrative procedures for course registration and reporting.
- Planning and preparing for the course.
- This includes adherence to ratios, utilization of appropriate testing sites and teaching facilities.
- Respect the minimum course length requirements
- Creating a positive environment with the use of constructive feedback
- Evaluating candidates effectively according to ARCA standards and guidelines
- Imparting theoretical knowledge in a thorough manner
- Providing a safe environment for the course
- Adhere to ARCA ratio guidelines
- Orientation to basic safety guidelines
- Contingency plans for weather and emergencies
- Group management
- Ensuring that you maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate and carry a stocked first aid kit.
- Risk Management
- People
- Equipment
- Environment
- Facilities
What about Insurance?
Insurance and Liability: ARCA's liability coverage extends to courses run by member clubs utilizing ARCA's insurance and to instructor certification courses sanctioned by (registered with) ARCA. ARCA insurance DOES NOT cover individual instructors running skills courses unless they are sponsored by an ARCA insured club or it is an ARCA sanctioned activity. Instructors and instructor trainers must ensure they are running their courses in accordance to the designated standards and with safety as the primary focus.
*ARCA Sanctioned programs are covered under the insurance policy. Instructors running program other than those registered through ARCA must arrange their own insurance.
DISCLAIMER: ARCA accepts no responsibility for injury, or loss of life while using the information in this publication. The material presented is for use as reference only: it is the sole responsibility of the paddler to determine whether or not he/she is qualified to safely navigate any water situations, and to accurately assess present conditions in relation to published material. This document supplies recommendations for safety standards for the operations of programs.
ARCA certifies instructors according to standardized techniques and practices but we cannot attempt to certify and judge candidates judgement under all conditions
What about ARCA Instructor Member: Instructor Certification Upgrade Subsidy?
Current ARCA Instructor Members can qualify for 50% of course cost up to $300 in subsidy for upgrading your Instructor certification level, each year. For details refer to ARCA website, MEMBERS section, Members Programs and Services, and read details in the "ARCA Fees and Benefits Chart with Policy and Guidelines". Or contact ARCA.
