Assessment Guidelines for Instructor Courses

Each item below will be assessed a pass, weak, or fail grade during the course. Before assessing each item, the instructor trainer (IT) will clearly outline to the candidates, the criteria for grading each item. A fail indicates that skill is very weak and needs major improvement to pass. To achieve instructor status, the candidate must pass all tests. One weak may be accepted at the discretion of the IT. Instructor Candidates are evaluated in the following ways:

1. Continuous evaluation of skills (by observation) throughout the course. Candidates must complete the required paddling skills with ease while clearly showing appropriate board movement, strokes, and body movement in an obvious demonstration.
2. Written and/or oral presentations demonstrating ability to communicate course content.
3. A minimum of two demonstrations of teaching ability by each candidate, at least one of which shall be an on-water session in which the candidate teaches a course skill. The candidate must select a site appropriate to the skill being taught and to the skill level of the students. In addition, development of appropriate teaching progression and strategies must be demonstrated. Teaching topics may be previously assigned, chosen, or may be assigned at short notice from a previously issued list. The instructor trainer(s) will determine the methods and number of tests in each content area.
4. Written test of knowledge of course content of approximately one hour in length. Candidates must achieve a mark of at least 80% to pass.
5. Ongoing evaluation (by observation) of the candidate’s performance and judgment in the areas of safety, self-care, care of equipment, group dynamics and leadership.
6. A written course outline for the relevant skills course. This assignment may be submitted post-course; however, no certification will be issued until the assignment and all other criteria have been satisfied.
7. Further testing or development of the candidate at the discretion of the instructor trainer.

Safety

All candidates must demonstrate:

• all safety procedures outlined in all skill levels up to and including the instructor level of which they are a candidate,
• at least two methods of transporting (by towing or otherwise) an injured or unconscious paddler a minimum of 250 metres to shore,
• the ability to put an unconscious paddler onto a SUP within 60 seconds of contact, and
• the ability to identify hazards in a variety of situations and state appropriate preventative safety procedures.

River and surf instructor candidates must also demonstrate:

• a board rescue and retrieval within a reasonable distance of the group, and
• the ability to bring self and equipment in to shore without assistance, while demonstrating awareness of surf zone or river flow patterns and how to position self for safety.

Teaching and Evaluation

Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics and areas, especially as applied to the teaching of psychomotor skills in general and recreational SUP specifically.

1. How one learns.
2. Conditions of learning.
3. Skill, knowledge, and attitude areas of learning.
4. Goals and objectives.
5. Teaching strategies.
6. Lesson planning and organization.
7. Class management.
8. Group dynamics.
9. Evaluation techniques.
10. Instructor behaviour and attitudes.
11. How to plan and organize a SUP skills course.
12. Using games to teach.

Programming and Program Development

The candidate will demonstrate knowledge of the following topics as they relate to the initiation, management, and operation of a recreational SUP skills program in Canada.

1. Paddle Canada policies, programs, accreditation, and certification maintenance.
2. Organization and management of a SUP skills course.
3. Other germane institutions and programs available in Canada (national associations, provincial associations, clubs, etc.).
4. Overview of resources available in Canada (publications, websites, manufacturers, retailers, repair facilities, etc.).
5. Legal and liability issues affecting the instructor.
6. Safety procedures, hazard recognition, waterfront regulations and safety equipment.
7. Equipment choice, teaching sites and areas, and scheduling.
8. Development of appropriate teaching progression.
9. Knowledge of SUP activities, games, and events.
10. Staffing and staff management.