My good kayaking buddy and all around good guy, Kurt Maurer just finished this workshop. Kurt also builds fine kayaks out of his “Sawdust Factory.” So, for those of you considering this Certification Workshop, here’s what Kurt had to say:

Well, my ACA Sea Kayak Instructor’s Certification Workshop/Exam (read: Marine Corps Boot Camp) has come and gone, and what an experience! First things first, of course: I passed fully certified for Level 1 Kayaking Essentials, and provisionally certified for Level 2 Coastal Sea Kayaking. The provisional certification came about because I was a little off on draw stroke demonstrations; I was using a Euro paddle per requirements (most students will be using them). In a word, I haven’t picked one up since last June, preferring to concentrate on the traditional Greenland paddling styles and techniques instead. And when demonstrating any and all paddle strokes as an instructor candidate, you had better be GOOD if you expect to pass. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

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Bob Foote and Karen Knight, our ACA Instructor Trainers (read: Sadistic Drill Sargents) made it clear from the start that they do not give away certifications, but demand that candidates earn it. And they mean business, too. The class was incredibly demanding both on the water and off. Emphasis was given to depth of knowledge, technical precision for demonstration purposes, and style of presentation to the student both on and off the water. Whenever we failed to meet their expectations, which was always, they let us know right away and without equivocation… and with a demand to improve forewith OR ELSE. Crack, crack, went the whip. They were great teachers, however, and excellent examples of everything they endeavored to impart upon us. Bob comfortably owns a vast amount of knowledge and a no-nonsense style of teaching that has just the perfect touch of humor to keep it halfway light and exceedingly interesting. He was also very good about posting lesson outlines on the blackboard to help our keeping notes be easier and better organized. Believe me, keeping copious notes is absolutely essential! And you just wouldn’t believe Karen on the water. She’s the most graceful and effective paddler I’ve ever seen anywhere, giving demonstrations that are as clean, precise, and snappy as any military formation could ever possibly be. Just to watch her simply turn her kayak around with such minimal visible, but highly fluid, effort was a joy to behold! She’s a five-time Free Style Canoe Paddling Champion, by the way. Bob wasn’t paddling during this class, incidentally, as he is recovering from a shoulder surgery. But what a team they make. The on-the-water work, about six to seven hours each day, take place no matter what the weather is like, within reason. But it gives you a whole new idea of what’s ‘within reason.’ Two of those days were in windy conditions that was biting COLD, and, of course, the water ain’t exactly warm right now either (~55 degrees). Bob and Karen provide additional gear to help you stay warm, if you need it (and I did), but unfortunately, no dry suits were among the goodies up for loan. I actually became mildy hypothermic one day, and was sent off to the shack to warm back up (which hasn’t quite happened all the way just yet, I might add). I now have vague fears that I may begin shivering any time I catch the smallest whiff of neoprene, even if it’s in July. And I’ll have to tell you about being unable to figure out how a zipper works sometime (one of the salient clues that I was becoming hypothermic; chattering teeth was the other). But I jumped right back in the next day! Well, okay, I was reluctantly and sweetly coaxed back in with considerable trepidation… We began the class with seven candidates for Level 2, finished with four, and fully certified one. I came in second place with the provisional cert, which will become a full certification as soon as I practice up a bit, be examined, and get checked off. I expect this will happen within a few weeks. It was a grueling four days, and I am wore to a frazzle both physically and mentally. Several times during the course I actually wondered whether I would endure to the end, or just say to hell with it. I also wondered if I’d ever want to see another kayak for as long as I lived if I survived! The ACA takes their instruction mighty seriously, make no mistake about it; and you had best be pretty darn good, and determined, if you want to get the certificate. And this was just Level 2… there are 5 levels in all… and they all get HARDER. Some folks take the class for their own sake, and do not care about the cert. Either way, you are guaranteed to come out of it a far better paddler than you went in, and a better paddler than 98% of the people on the water if you do manage to pass — and practice what you have been taught. I really believe that. Well, that just about wraps up this session, class… any questions?

Cheers,
Kurt

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