Paddlesport Instructor and Leadership Course

In this course students will expand their paddling abilities in sea kayaks, canoes, and whitewater kayaks, and use these craft as platforms for outdoor leadership and for helping others become safe, effective paddlers. During classroom sessions, students will be introduced to teaching approaches such as behaviorism and constructivism, and how they can be used to support learning in adventure sport. We will also look at styles of leadership and group management strategies, as well as models of risk management used to manage safety in outdoor sport. On the water, we will apply these ideas while learning to paddle, and while running leadership and instructional sessions for peers. About half of our class time will be spent on the water, in canoes and kayaks; additionally, this course will include a weekend trip later in the term. Certification as an American Canoe Association (ACA) Kayak Instructor, or Community Paddlesports Leader is possible through this course.

Assessment will be based on: students’ preparation for classroom and on-water sessions; students’ demonstration of various teaching modes to create learning sessions, both in the classroom, and on the water; students’ application of leadership models to effectively manage small groups of paddlers in various on-water environments. Final assessment based on classroom and on-water instructional sessions by each student, on a topic of their choosing.