At our October 18th Membership Meeting & Election (and Paddle), we announced our Instructor Training Scholarship. The intent of this scholarship is to enhance GCA’s training program by recruiting experienced paddlers to become ACA-certified Level 4 Instructors for our classes. A maximum of one scholarship per year will be awarded, if a qualified candidate is selected. Applications for River Kayak, River Canoe, or Swiftwater Safety and Rescue will be accepted.

Candidates will be considered based on:

  • Commitment/contribution  to GCA, demonstrated by leading/helping with club trips and events
  • Paddling ability and experience

Requirements:

  • Current GCA member for at least 2 years
  • Skill level – Competently paddling Class III or higher
  • Coordinate a minimum of 5 official GCA trips (posted to GCA website calendar, with waiver completed and submitted)
  • Agree to:

o   Be an active member of the GCA Training Committee for the next three years.

o   Maintain your membership in ACA and the ACA Safety, Education, and Instruction Committee (SEIC) as required to teach as an ACA Instructor

o   Maintain your CPR and First Aid certifications as required to teach as an ACA Instructor

o   Instruct or co-­instruct in a minimum of two GCA instructional programs per year for the next three years.

o   You will not charge another GCA member for instruction.

Application Process:

  • Review ACA Instructor Criteria at: http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=Instructor_Criteria
  • Contact Jim Tebbel at gapaddletraining@gmail.com to get an application and some materials to start reviewing.
  • Submit your initial application to gapaddletraining@gmail.com if interested, as soon as possible. (Don’t delay if you haven’t coordinated 5 trips for the club yet – you have all winter to get those in!)
  • Paddle with current GCA instructors over the winter who can share their experience thru the certification process and help you identify items to work on in advance of the course.
  • Demonstrate commitment by leading trips or helping with club events and roll practices.
  • Submit final application by March 15.