I just returned from an incredible experience. I spent three jam-packed days in Ilwaco, WA participating in an ACA Instructor Development Workshop. I’m looking forward to teaching beginner kayaking lessons and guiding Willamette River kayak trips in Portland, Oregon, with Northwest River Guides.

The weekend consists of three days of kayaking instruction and evaluation. It’s fun, grueling and humbling. Days start at 8:00 and end at 11:00 p.m. Every stroke is reviewed and videotaped so it can be critiqued, perfected and then modeled to students. Rescues of various types are practiced – both self rescue and assisted rescue. Then there is group management – part of the curriculim are role playing games where the student’s ability to manage a group of kayakers on the water is tested. At least half of the program is about developing teaching/coaching skills. Various teaching methods are explained, and the students all must practice teaching and presenting informatition. They took us out in progressively challenging conditions ranging from completely flat water in a lake to ocean surf.

There is a big difference between being a skilled kayaker and an instructor. Oregon kayaking is full of great paddlers, but only some  possess the talent to teach kayaking classes. I look forward to leading beginner kayak trips around Portland and introducing others to this incredible activity.  I can’t wait to get started teaching recreational kayak classes on the Willamette River in downtown Portland, OR with Northwest River Guides, the best kayak school in Portland!