Welcome to the JPE!

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Editor

Welcome to the launch of the American Canoe Association’s Journal of Paddlesports Education!  We’ve started this journal as a tool for ACA instructors, trainers and educators to share their vast wealth of knowledge and experience in paddlesports education and for all instructors to exchange ideas on the wide array of topics that influence teaching in our sports. Join us in submitting your own ideas.

Posted in Administrative | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Teaching to Roll, or Rolling to Teach? Minimizing Stress in Paddling Classes

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Rusty Cooper

One of the common debates across the spectrum of kayak instruction is: What is important? Teaching participants the roll first, second, or completely separately?  Is there even time for teaching rolling in introductory classes? While each paddling school or instructor chooses their own sequence and what non-essential instructional items to include based upon their own business model, mission or participant demographics, there are a few items important to be mindful of when planning an instructional progression for your class and how some non-essential items can influence them. Participant Safety When we discuss safety, so often in paddlesports we focus on … Continue reading →

Posted in Coastal Kayak, Disciplines, River Kayak, Surf Kayak, Teaching and Learning, Techniques | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Rolling is Mostly Mental

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Mike Aronoff

When we examine the roll, it is very simple in concept; Use the support of the paddle to allow you to flip your kayak upright and then let the body and head follow. So where do the problems arise? First, the roll is counterintuitive. Since we are air-breathers it is only natural to want to bring our head up first to get some air. The reflex of coming up naturally leads to coming up headfirst. Telling someone to come out of the water backside first, followed by the torso, with the head being the last thing out, seems unnatural. Doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Web-based Reference Material

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charlie Duffy

As part of preparation of becoming an ACA instructor, I decided to assemble a complete web-based set of training materials that cover every topic in the ACA SWR Level 4 curriculum. Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) is very easy to learn and work with. It has a high level of compression so it is easy to send via email. Each topic is covered by a short article along with additional hyperlinks to supporting internet articles and video demonstrations. As an incentive to early student registration, I provide the link to the complete training material. It has been my experience that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Exams as a Teaching Technique

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Charlie Duffy

Although a written exam isn’t always a part of ACA curriculum, this can be a fun way to ensure all topics are taught and understood. Let’s face it, the ACA SWR Level 4 curriculum is a great deal of material to cover in one weekend. Depending on unplanned events, student needs, etc., a topic or two may be skipped to emphasize more critical subject matter. Even if all the material is covered, this is a vast curriculum and a quick refresher isn’t a bad idea. At the end of all of my classes, we visit the local pizza parlor for … Continue reading →

Posted in Safety and Rescue, Shared Tools, Teaching and Learning, Techniques, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Weird Strokes Can Teach Balance and Flexibility

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Jim Tibensky

The best places to learn balance and flexibility are the flat water lakes, ponds and rivers in which most of us spend a lot of time paddling. Safe, warm water lets us challenge our skills with only a safe wet exit as the penalty if we mess up. By doing these somewhat odd strokes, we learn to extend our reach in directions we would never go in normal paddling. This increases our balance and flexibility, two good qualities to have. It’s fun for us to attempt these abnormal skills. Especially in a pool where northern dwellers spend a lot of cold-weather paddling time. Learning … Continue reading →

Posted in Coastal Kayak, Disciplines, River Kayak, Teaching and Learning, Techniques | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Progressive Vector Pull (a.k.a. “swigging”)

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Walter Felton

How many times have you been in a situation with a pinned boat and no one could remember how to set up a Z-Drag mechanical advantage system or you did not have all the right equipment? Here is a possible, easy solution to that problem. “Swigging” is a nautical term referring to a process used to take the slack out of a halyard, anchor or dock line1. As it applies to dock lines the process simply involves attaching two lines to the boat, then wrapping those lines around a stationary point. Force is applied to the center of line (1) … Continue reading →

Posted in Disciplines, Safety and Rescue, Techniques | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments