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Instructor Trainer Services

Maintaining IT Status | Course Admin Policies & Procedures | Roles and Responsibilities | Insurance
Instructor Certification Upgrade Subsidy | Know Local Emergency Numbers

Instructor Trainer Information

Download Paddle Alberta Instructor Trainer Form 2003 PDF icon

Paddle Alberta 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 Paddle Alberta to register or for more information:
phone toll free 1 877 388 2722 or email:info@paddlealberta.org

How to become a Paddle Alberta Instructor Trainer:

To achieve Instructor Trainer status with Paddle Canada, please refer to the Paddle Canada Website and/or Paddle Canada's Canoeing / River 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 yearly Paddle Alberta membership dues.

Paddle Alberta
COURSE ADMINISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Paddle Alberta Course Registration Procedures: how to register an Paddle Alberta Course a minimum of 10 days prior to course

Paddle Alberta Liability insurance covers those Paddle Alberta instructor courses that are conducted by current Instructor Trainers and sanctioned by Paddle Alberta.  In order for a course to be sanctioned, it must be registered with the Paddle Alberta office ten (10) days prior to the course start date.

Download:  PADDLE ALBERTA COURSE REGISTRATION FORM PDF icon

Course Registration Forms can be emailed, faxed or mailed in to Paddle Alberta .

Paddle Alberta 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 Paddle Alberta :

  1. completed 'Course Report Form and 'Paddle Alberta Participants Information Form' (ensure that this form has all the correct and legible contact/address information for the participants)
  2. completed participant waivers
  3. appropriate membership fees
  4. Once the Paddle Alberta admin has received this package and the certification fees, Paddle Alberta will mail certification cards to successful participants to the address given on the 'Paddle Alberta Participant Information Form'.

Download:  PADDLE ALBERTA COURSE REPORT FORM PDF icon

Course Safety Policies

Paddle Alberta is committed to the promotion of safe paddling in Alberta. It is the policy of Paddle Alberta that:

  1. Coast Guard approved PFD's will be worn by course instructors and participants at all times when at or near the water when appropriate.
  2. 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).
  3. For moving water courses, canoes should be equipped with a throwbag and proper floatation.
  4. 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:

  1. operating it in a safe and competent manner
  2. ensuring it is in a seaworthy and reliable condition
  3. 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)

  1. an approved PFD (personal floatation device) or lifejacket
  2. one buoyant heaving line of not less than 15 m in length (aka throw bag)
  3. one manual propelling device (aka paddle) OR an anchor with not less than 15 m of cable, rope or chain
  4. 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
  5. a sound signaling device or a sound signaling appliance (e.g. whistle)
  6. 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 a Paddle Alberta Instructor Trainer, you are assuming the responsibility for conducting and examining Paddle Alberta Instructor courses. Once you submit your course reports and pass an instructor candidate you are telling Paddle Alberta , 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 Paddle Alberta 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 Paddle Alberta 's.

As a Paddle Alberta Instructor Trainer your responsibilities include:

  1. 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.
  2. Ensuring that you follow proper administrative procedures for course registration and reporting.
  3. Planning and preparing for the course.
    1. This includes adherence to ratios, utilization of appropriate testing sites and teaching facilities.
    2. Respect the minimum course length requirements
  4. Creating a positive environment with the use of constructive feedback
  5. Evaluating candidates effectively according to Paddle Alberta standards and guidelines
  6. Imparting theoretical knowledge in a thorough manner
  7. Providing a safe environment for the course
    1. Adhere to Paddle Alberta ratio guidelines
    2. Orientation to basic safety guidelines
    3. Contingency plans for weather and emergencies
    4. Group management
    5. Ensuring that you maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate and carry a stocked first aid kit
  8. Risk Management
    1. People
    2. Equipment
    3. Environment
    4. Facilities

What about Paddle Alberta Insurance for Instructors?

Insurance and Liability: Paddle Alberta's liability coverage extends to courses run by member clubs utilizing Paddle Alberta's insurance and to instructor certification courses sanctioned by (registered with) Paddle Alberta. Paddle Alberta insurance DOES NOT cover individual instructors running skills courses unless they are sponsored by a Paddle Alberta insured club or it is a Paddle Alberta 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.

*Paddle Alberta Sanctioned programs are covered under the insurance policy. Instructors running programs other than those registered through Paddle Alberta must arrange their own insurance.

DISCLAIMER: Paddle Alberta 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.

Paddle Alberta certifies instructors according to standardized techniques and practices but we cannot attempt to certify and judge candidates judgement under all conditions.

Paddle Alberta Instructor Members: Instructor Certification Upgrade Subsidy?

Current Paddle Alberta Instructor Members can qualify for up to $300 per instructor per year in subsidy for upgrading your Paddle Canada and/or Paddle Alberta Instructor certification level.

Please see details in the Fees and Benefits Chart with Policy and Guidelines.

Please see policy and application form: Paddle Alberta Instructor Certification Upgrade Subsidy Application

Know LOCAL hospital emergency services and police phone numbers

Instructors: You are required to list the phone numbers of the LOCAL emergency facilities--hospital and police--on your Paddle Alberta Course Registration on the line ‘Location of nearest emergency facility and phone number’. Your course registration will not be approved without it. Practice wise risk management and keep those phone numbers on you whenever you are teaching, leading or just paddling for recreation.

Hospitals in Alberta
http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/hospital-directory.pdf PDF

Police and RCMP in Alberta
http://policeinternational.com/display_links.php?cat_id=0&sub_cat_id=1