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ACA L3 Trip Leader Training & Assessment (3-Day)

Quick Details

Cali Collective is excited to welcome guest coach Jake Taylor of Mountain & Sea Sports, based in Hong Kong, to lead this course! The purpose of the Level 3 Coastal Kayak Trip Leader (CKTL) Training & Assessment is to hone knowledge and practical skills required to lead and make decisions for fellow club members/clients/participants of various levels of readiness in environments up to the ACA L3 CKTL venue and conditions. 

While we will address all of the content outlined in the ACA criteria, the delivery staff will tailor the course content to meet individual needs with an emphasis on putting theory into practice. 

Prerequisites: Candidates must have successfully completed an ACA L3 Coastal Kayak assessment in order to participate in this course.

Course Overview

The Level 3 Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Training & Assessment is structured as an authentic, performance assessment. Therefore, you will be assessed leading real paddlers or clients, if available, in Level 3 CKTL venues. In addition, delivery staff will gather evidence through scenarios and simulations. The skills and knowledge to be assessed are outlined in the L3 CKTL Assessment.

The training and assessment are combined. This presents a number of challenges; as it is impossible to learn new content and then be assessed at a standard of “unconscious competence” within a shortened period. Therefore, participation in the L3 CKTL Training/Assessment does not always result in receiving the award. With that said, each candidate will leave with a comprehensive action plan that will serve as a guide to either meeting the trip leader standard in the future, or as a tool to assist you in your continued development as an ACA Trip Leader 

Training: The Training will occur over 1 day (the first day) with some optional independent learning exercises. It will include covering all of the skills of a Level 3 Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment, and it will cover the knowledge and skills of a L3 CKTL.

Assessment: The assessment will occur over ~2 days. It will include scenarios and simulations. Candidates will be in positions of leadership and mock participants and if available be leading actual paddlers. 

Delivery & Assessment Staff: 

a man wearing a hat and smiling at the cameraJake Taylor

This course will be led by Jake Taylor of Adventure Sports Coach, Mountain & Sea Sports. Jake is an ACA L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring Instructor Trainer Educator, L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor, L4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor, L2 Canoe Instructor, L2 SUP Instructor Trainer Educator. He is also a registered Sea Kayak Maine Guide, RYA Day Skipper, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and SOLO Wilderness EMT & Wilderness Instructor.