American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course__IDE 4_____ Dates_____10/2-4_______ Location___Ocean City, MD________

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nickels, Mitch Mitchell___________________________________

Your name (Optional)__________________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes. The venue is great and offers opportunities to work in a variety of skills in varied conditions. The instructors were solid and knowledgeable.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

To reinforce the requirement (I was narrowly focused on the skill presentation) to review group safety of the given skill or scenarios from the start, to the close, of the activity or skill. From a skills perspective, working on reverse beach landings.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Due to injury, I have not paddled very much the past year. Therefore, just about every aspect of the course was beneficial. However, I suppose, yet another explanation of charts is of less value.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Always come back to group safety. A specific example is to focus less on ferry angle when crossing channels, and to focus more on the group crossing the channel most efficiently.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Pay closer attention to group safety (boundaries when delivering instructions) and group communication. Spend time reviewing specific attributes, and associations/connections, of paddle strokes and maneuvers.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Wasn’t sure if there should be a protocol if a swimmer goes in at the mouth of the inlet. Should the whole group remain? Of should the partner take care of the swimmer, while the group moves inside the inlet (reverse eddy) and can observe assist as needed. Wasn’t sure if hanging at the mouth with the whole group, due to boat traffic, was the best idea.

Thank you for your feedback!

____________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course_L4 Sea kayak Certification Dates_Sep 30-Oct 4_ Location_Maryland_

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nickels and Mitch Mitchell__________________________________

Your name _____________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Additional comments:

- Used humor to keep things light which also aided in learning

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

- Pre course information was a little messed up due to many changing schedules. The final schedule was useful once it was set and passed around.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

This was in par with what I expected for the course. The instruction was great and useful given the time allowances we had.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Although I didn’t get the L4 certification, I actually think that was the most useful part of the course as I learned so much from that section where the previous few days I felt I already knew the stuff and was just learning the best way to present it.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

The first two days were pretty basic and while I likely learned some stuff, it was definitely the slower days of the entire course.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I will try to get out and become more comfortable in larger water, and I will also try to fix my roll which seems to need work as well as try to keep my elbows in more to protect my shoulder.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I will try to go through a more logical progression as I tend to forget a point then jump back to it. Experience will help more with that as well.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

The course was great and I really had a great time. I feel I really learned a lot the last two days which were dedicated to the L4 level. Everyone was great. I wish the last 2 days had been over three days just so the material didn’t seem rushed but this was more to demonstrate our knowledge then for us to play.

Thank you for your feedback!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Course Evaluations

Course_PotomacPaddlesports_________________ Dates________________ Location_______________________

Instructor Trainer(s)___Tom Nichols, Mitch___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4
Professionalism	1	2	3	4
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4

Additional comments: Both instructors were excellent role models during the entire length of the course.

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4
Organization of course	1	2	3		5
Accommodations	1	2	3		5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

The quality of the instructional program was very good, as was the progression of instruction throughout the course. Instructors often had poignant info to give out before moving onto a new subject.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Surf zone exercises. Rough water rescues. Instruction modeling and teaching tips.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Other student instructor’s presentations.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

More emphasis on proper technique.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Better group management skills.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Thank you for your feedback!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course: Level 4 (OW) Kayak Instructor Update

Dates: Oct 3-4 2009

Location: Ocean City MD

Instructor Trainer(s): Tom Nickels and Mitch Mitchell

Your name

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

Additional comments:

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes it did. The Ocean City inlet provided a tremendous variety of conditions and was an excellent venue: current, complex channels, surf, and open water conditions along with safe, easy to access beaches. The ITs took full advantage, managed the group well, and allowed us all to learn.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

In general, the ability to see other teaching styles and tricks of the trade.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

None that I can tell.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Not a whole lot…

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I will have additional options in how to teach many strokes and skills

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

One of the most interesting things that I found was the ‘style’ of the update component. Past updates that I have taken have treated the updaters as assistant ITs. In this case, the update attendees were treated more like students/candidates. It was good to get back into the student role…

Thank you for your feedback!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course ACA Instruction Development Workshop Dates__26-29Jan2010

Location Saint Marys GA

InstructorTrainer(s):TomNickels,Travis Boch

Your name (Optional)_____

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	X
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	X
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	X
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	X
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	X
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	X

Additional comments: The most valuable angle of the instructors’ presentation was their using different teaching concepts or mnemonics to teach the same stroke or other technique. Sometimes what Tom said clicked, and sometimes it took Travis’ take on it to cause it to sink in. Good system.

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	X
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	X
Accommodations	1	2	3	X	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	X	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	X
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	X
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	X

Additional comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course: ACA Kayak level 1 and 2

Dates: February 18^th and 19th

Location: Sweetwater Kayaks, Tampa Florida

Instructor Trainer(s) Tom Nickels

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	5
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	5
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	5
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	5
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	5
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments: Tom’s teaching style was very hands-on and interactive

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations: NA	1	2	3	4	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments: The logistics of the off-water teaching area was informal and outside…okay but it was a bit cold and there were some distractions due to construction around the area. I think next year they can get the bugs worked out and it will work out great since the launch area is right there. I was lucky to have had a friend certified with ACA provide me with some materials (Essentials of Kayak Touring and the ACA Instructors Manual) from her course and it allowed me to do some pre-prep studying. I think these would have been good to supply to course participants even if an extra cost was incurred.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain

Yes – I learned a lot from Tom with his breakdown of strokes and how he instructed on how we should approach our teaching to our students

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Learning how to do wet exits and rescues…something I had not done before but feel comfortable to do and practice with this spring (especially when the water gets warmer!)

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

I found all parts valuable…not sure I could pick out a negative part (maybe just the logistics of the classroom location and pre-prep materials (provide more!).

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Practicing with experienced friends and getting critical feedback. Continuing to practice wet exits and rescues and always be on top of “when things go wrong” scenarios

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Providing a pre-water instructional lecture to clients and students and doing some fun, “get to know you” games to find out what kind of student they might be and get to know their learning styles BEFORE we hit the water.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I really enjoyed this course and appreciated Tom’s fun but technical teaching approach. He has a good sense of humor and approached his critiquing in a positive, constructive way – something I hope to strive for. I love being on the water and teaching people how to be good stewards of our natural resources and how to obtain fitness from paddlesports. I think people are always more accepting of a message if you go about it with a smile on your face and a fun attitude.

One general comment for ACA…the website is very confusing and scattered. It would be great to have all the resources needed for a L1 or L2 course all in one download area and you could just click that and download PDFs.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course_ICE___ Dates   10/2 – 10/3/10 Location  Ocean City MD

Instructor Trainer(s)_Tom Nickles , Travis

Your name (Optional)  Rick Wiebush

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers

Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Concern for safety      4

Knowledge of subject matter      5

Professionalism      5

Interpersonal skills              4

Teaching ability   4

Paddling skills      5

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course   5

Organization of course   4

Accommodations             N/A

Comfort of teaching areas   N/A

Pre-course information               4

Usefulness of classroom presentations    3

Usefulness of on-water sessions                     5

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Experience in very big water morning of Day 1.

Watching and interacting with other very good paddlers.

Leadership scenario

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Probably the presentations, but they were held to a minimum. They were good, but not sure how useful to me

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Short assisted tow in rough water is workable. I was surprised that the raft didn’t surf up on to the tower as much as I thought it would.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Not sure – it all hasn’t sunk in yet.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I think more time should have been spent on leadership issues and scenarios and less time on personal skills.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course:  L1-L4______________ Dates: 9/28-10/3________________

Location: Columbia Island Marina, Potomac River near Angler’s Inn, Mayo Beach, Ocean City

Instructor Trainer(s): Tom Nickels, Travis Bock

Your name (Optional): Todd Henry

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers

Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Poor

Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	5
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	5
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	5
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	5
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	5
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments: I marked the “Comfort of Teaching areas” as a 3 because I was notcomfortable on Saturday morning in the shoals.  I highly believe that was the point of the whole situation though.  It was incredibly fun and pushed my comfort levels which is what I think is the idea behind the shoals.  If the question were reworded as “Usefulness of teaching areas” or just “Teaching areas” I would have given it a 5.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

I was coming into the program with a limited amount of experience in the sea kayaking world.  I feel that I am now a competent L2 instructor and I will be a competent L3 instructor with a little more practice.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

I thought there were two parts to the series of courses that were extremely valuable to me.

The first one is likely to never happen again.  The personal instruction day that I received for my L1 and L2 was an AWESOME learning experience.  Coming from the whitewater world of kayaking, I learned many new strokes that are great for sea kayaking but not really used in whitewater.  I also learned a great deal about tides.

The second great experience came in the Saturday morning of the L4 IDW.  Again, coming from the whitewater world, I always thought of sea kayaking as basically flat water kayaking.  I now realize that this is not the case.  I was scared out of my mind and it was more fun than I have had in a long long time.  This may have been an expensive life changing event now that I want to go out and buy my own sea kayak and play in the huge waves.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Not applicable.  I saw a use for everything that was done in the course

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

See number 4.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I now know many strokes that will make my strokes more efficient giving me that ability to paddle for longer periods of time.  I will work on doing a better job modeling my strokes as well.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

A BOOK!!!!   Just about every wilderness education class that I have taken (which is quite a few) has come with a book, booklet, or manual that backs up the information that is in the class.  I keep a small library of these books and similar reading.  I have written a few of these manuals myself for backpacking and raft guide training.  I have done this by referring to and using information from other sources in my library.  I have referred to this library many many times over my career working in the outdoor industry.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your feedback!

Course Evaluations

Course_ACA L3-4 ICE/IDW_ Dates_October 1-3, 2010__ Location__Mayo Beach, MD and  Ocean City, MD_

Instructor Trainer(s)_____Tom Nickels__________________________________________________

Your name (Optional)____Meaghan Brosnan________________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers

Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	5
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	5
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	5
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	5
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	5
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	5

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

It exceeded my expectations, because I did not factor into my expectations the amazing amount of knowledge I would gain from my classmates as well as from my instructor. I’m still taking notes when I remember them! So in translation, that means the instructor providing students with the opportunity to SHARE that invaluable experience with each other.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

The on-water training in a “controlled” environment with other experienced paddlers…you just don’t get opportunities like that often!

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Ummmm….errrr…..hmmmm…..while I did REALLY appreciate the confidence you showed in me in my outbrief, I’d also appreciate a summary of areas that I can improve on, or a look at my page of that notebook you had at your hip all weekend!

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I will change my short tow/long tow technique, work on the drill Travis had me do of three consecutive rolls w/out set-up in conditions, and make a lot of changes/improvements to my kit and kayak set-up.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I have several new “indicators” I will use in teaching advanced strokes (hand on the deck, etc.), learned a LOT about the importance of how you position a class when you are teaching them, and learned several play on words to help students remember key skills.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Thank you for a GREAT weekend, and opportunity to meet other very talented paddlers that are in the area!!

Thank you for your feedback!

______________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course__ICE Level 4__ Dates__2-3Oct_

Location_Ocean City, MD______________________

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nichols_____________________________________________________

Your name (Optional)__Brian Blankinship_______________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers

Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Poor

Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	5
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	5
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	5
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	5
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	5
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course

1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes.  There was no teaching by Tom because I only attended the ICE.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Play in surf, which was part of the assessment.  Knowing I had other high quality people with me.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Classroom portions.  Since it was just for evaluation, we didn’t actually get to learn much.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

More comfort in big stuff.  I have spent a LOT of time flat water racing so this was a great experience playing in the bigger stuff.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I am going to do more pre-course material for students.  Tom was an excellent example of pre-event information and organization.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I think the L-3 candidates should not have gone to the shoal.  I think Joe would have done better in the shore break if his confidence wasn’t smashed in the really big stuff.

Thank you for your feedback!

______________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course ACA L 3 and L4 IDW/ICE    Dates  9/30 – 10/3/ 2010     Location Rockland MD/Ocean City MD

Instructor Trainer(s)   Tom Nickles

Your name (Optional)   Michael Shugg

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	5
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	5
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	5
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	5
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	5
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	5

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	NA
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	Just The way I like it!	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4

Additional comments:  I was amazed at the end of the day at how closely we matched the syllabus

that you sent out.  It was a great job of course organization and management.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

The course more than met my expectations. I felt challenged, yet supported.

Most importantly, I learned something while having a great time.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

The most valuable thing was the chance to get out and apply skills in a challenging environment with a great group of paddlers.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

I honestly can’t think of anything.  I guess that I reached a point on Saturday when my stamina was low and

I wasn’t taking in as much, but even that was a great experience as the group sorted out getting Joe back.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I will seek more opportunities to get out in the gnarl and cultivate a group of like minded paddlers.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Continue to apply and refine coaching strategies with my students.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Thanks for a great time and sharing that Nickles Gnarl.

Thank you for your feedback!

_________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course_ICE/ L-4 update_ Dates_Oct. 2 & 3  Location Ocean City, MD

Instructor Trainer(s)Tom Nickels

Your name (Optional) Tom Noffsinger

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

Pre-course information: Would have been helpful to have a single web address to go to with links to any sub-topics (quiz, location/address, agenda), rather than multiple URLs sent in separate emails.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes – top quality, as expected.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Getting a chance to work through and observe various real-world scenarios.  As an instructor, it was helpful to observe response times and confusion, even among trained kayakers.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Beach time with no (apparent) active discussion or objective.  I would have found it more helpful if there were some discussions and guided observation during lulls while on the beach or waiting for others on the water.  Having said that, I also recognize this was the tail end of a 6-day session and the others in the group had likely already covered a great deal of information and downtime without thinking may have been needed.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Planning another trip to the shoals at Ocean City.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

More emphasis on quick towing setups and recoveries.  Emphasis on rapid rescues to reduce exposure to hazards.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

A quality course put together by quality people.  Very professional from start to finish.

_____________________________________________________________________________

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course: L3 IDW and ICE and L4 ICE  Dates 9/30-10/3

Location: Mayo Beach (Edgewater Maryland) and Ocean City Inlet, Maryland

Instructor Trainer: Tom Nickels

Your name: Mark McKeel

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

The quality of instruction was high. I have worked with Mr. Nickels throughout much of my development as a paddler. I greatly value his knowledge, expertise and advice within the realm of sea kayaking.

Mr. Nickels has been supportive and encouraging as I have progressed and I have continued with the IDW/ICE training that he provides due to my confidence in the quality of his instruction and his ability to provide a well run event with a wide range of conditions and experiences.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

I appreciated the opportunity to apply skills in a rough water environment with a group of exceptionally skilled paddlers and instructors. The IDW was quite valuable. I also benefited working directly with L4 recertification candidates who are skilled paddlers and talented instructors in their own right during on the water training sessions. We were able to paddle in conditions that exceeded L4 requirements which provided an exciting platform to safely push the envelope.

We had big confused clapotis over shoals and the opportunity to paddle in surf. The conditions were the “biggest” I have paddled in and I thoroughly enjoyed paddling with such a strong group of paddlers. Additionally, I enjoyed the instruction and/or experience of paddling in current, tide-race like conditions (very fun) and bracing in surf and general surf zone strategies.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

I see value in most of the components of the course. There was nearly always a teachable moment in each exercise.

I found the workshop experiences generally more beneficial than the certification process. The group “nightmare scenario” rescue scenarios are less valuable to me, overall. However, I do think they have their place in this kind of training, and I understand their application to leadership skills and dealing with stressful rescue situations while on the water.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I consider myself a competent intermediate paddler and hope that I have made some reasonable relative progress. Prior to this workshop, I thought my mastery of strokes was solid and have been encouraged to pursue assessment based on my general skill set.

However, since receiving critiques on the quality and modeling of my strokes during this certification workshop, one personal outcome, along with working on a range of skills outside of the L3-L4 curriculum, is that I will spend some time revisiting and refining my advanced stokes and making them more clean and precise.

I plan to work and make adjustments to my bracing as needed per conditions, and work on linking strokes and maneuvering more efficiently in conditions (I.e., applying the best stroke relative to the conditions-wind, current, waves, etc.)

My confidence in surf and rough water was given a gigantic boost as a result of this training. In fact, my general enthusiasm for rough water paddling has increased. I look forward to continue developing surf zone strategies and working on side surfing and reading waves among other things.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Primarily, I will evaluate whether or not I want to teach. Likely, I will take some time in the off season to evaluate my priorities. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for my passions and working with beginners.

However, given my pending L3 conditional status, I’m going to do a little soul searching and consider whether I want to invest time and resources pursuing instruction further, or focus on developing my own personal skills as a paddler which has always been my primary interest.

If I pursue instruction, I will analyze and evaluate my teaching and presentation of strokes with attention to the structure and organization of my thoughts, using concise language and using the environment more effectively.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I think I could have benefited from more IDW with respect to L3 strokes. I split the L3 and L4 in two sessions and skipped two days of the L2-3. In retrospect, thinking of setting myself up for greater success, I think I would have been better served to have taken the entire 6 day program (L3-4) in one consecutive session.

Given that I was assessed teaching L3 strokes in L4 like conditions, I need to consider strategies teaching in very challenging conditions rather than a sheltered water environment.

American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Workshop

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course___L3-L4 IDW/ICE___________ Dates__Oct 1-4, 2010___ Location_Potomac River, Mayo Beach, Oean City ___

Instructor Trainer(s)______Tom Nickels_______________________________

Your name (Optional)____Joe Murray___________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes.  Clear training was presented with plenty of time for practice.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Areas that challenged my skills.  Training with paddlers that had different skills than I had.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

None.  The course pace kept moving.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

Refining my strokes to do a better job of modeling.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

Incorporate some of the ideas brought by other students and paddlers re-certifying.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

The instructor presents a role model on how to paddle at all times.  Also, he never seem rattled and had a calming disposition.

Tom’s interaction with the class was always at the highest level.  We were given every chance to succeed.

______—___-______________________________________________________________________

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course__Level 4  Seakajak__ Dates  9 to 14 nov 10____ Location CHARLESTONE SC__

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom NIckels_________________

Your name (Optional)__Patrick Frehner_________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

the course brought more to my expetations i had. especially in paddling and teaching skills. also in the challange having different of people in the gruop changing , verry nice class teaching and paddling in good time management

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

- teaching lessons on the water

- paddling on the water in the different enviroments

-are of course locations beeing choosen

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

noone, there was always something to learn

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

-bringing body rotation better in some strokes

even positioning of arm, shoulder to boat and water

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

-less words, more showing and let them doing ->experiences

-bringing modeling better into the course

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

-video studying of level 3 and 4 days would be intresting

-additional video studying after first video studying

Thank you for your feedback!

_____________________________________________________________________

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course_IDW,ICE_________________ Dates____November9th-12th____________ Location____Mt.Pleasant___________________

Instructor Trainer(s)___Tom Nickels___________________________________________________________

Your name (Optional)______Chris Owens_______________________________________________________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety					Five
Knowledge of subject matter					Five
Professionalism					Five
Interpersonal skills					Five
Teaching ability					Five
Paddling skills					Five

Additional comments:

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	5
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	5
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	5
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	5

Additional comments:

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

I had very little in the way of expectations going into this course because I didnt know quite what to expect however it was a better experience that I couldve expected.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Level 3 strokes as well as the time spent in the surf were my favorite parts as well as the most informative.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Some of the in class room material was the least valuable but this was mearly becuase it was information I already had.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I have already changed a few things. The way i view instruction as far as the model i use as well as pre-trip preparedness are a few examples

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I am a fan of the ACA model of teaching as well a critiquing and my instruction in the future will follow along with what i learned in this course.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Great course overall the saying if it isnt broke dont fix it can be applied in my view the things you are doing now need little to no improvement in my opinion.

___________________________________________________________________________________

(IDW’s or ICE’s)

Course Evaluations

Course__IDW ICE L1-3______ Dates____Nov. 9-12,2010-

Location_____Charleston_

Instructor Trainer(s)__Tom Nickels  Lance__________________________________________

Your name (Optional)______Ian Sanchez_____________

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	(5)
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	(5)
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	(5)
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	(5)
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	(5)
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	(5)

Additional comments: Both Tom and Lance were professional and very knowledgeable about the subject matter. As the course develops there will be opportunities to get to know the area and use the better.

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	(5)
Organization of course	1	2	3	(4)	5
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	(5)
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	(5)
Pre-course information	1	2	3	(4)	5
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	(4)	5
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	(5)

Additional comments: The best part of this course was the on water work and ability to challenge

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain. Yes.  I was pleased with the amount of new skills I came away with as well as the confidence to handle tough situations.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you? The on water instruction in rough conditions and paddling technique.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

My paddling technique has improved a great deal.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I will use some of the teaching techniques and protocol.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

As I stated earlier, once we get used to using this area and facility we can improve on the rhythm transitions from one session to another. I truly enjoyed this course and felt I gained a great deal. Thank you so much!

IDW’s and ICE’s

Course Evaluations

Course - Sea Kayaking L-1, L-2 & L-3    Dates - Dec. 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2010 Location – Titusville, FL

Instructor Trainer – Tom Nickels

Your name – Ron Thorstad

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	XXX
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	XXX
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	XXX
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	XXX
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	XXX
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	XXX

Additional comments:                        Tom is an incredible coach / instructor.  He always provided the tools, tips and encouragement necessary.  He is the type of coach that I aspire to be.

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	XXX
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	XXX
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	XXX
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	XXX
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	XXX
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	XXX
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	XXX

Additional comments:            Please comments see above.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

The quality of the entire program was above and beyond what I was expecting.  This is important to note since the ACA has a record for providing high quality instructional program,s and I knew that we would get excellent traing.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

I have been teaching sailing since 1974; scuba diving since 1980 and flying since 2002.  The coaching tips that I learned from Tom will make me a better coach in any activity that I teach.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 as the very best, my paddeling skills went from a # 2 to a # 8.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Absoutely every part of the course was very valuable to me.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I plan to upgrade all of my paddeling equipment as soon as possible.  I will also practice the new skills that I have learned every time I paddle.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

I plan to use several of Tom’s / ACA’s teaching models.  I especially like the “Sell it, Show it, Explain it, Do it” model.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I look forward to utilizing Tom as a mentor as I progress through the additional kayaking skill levels of he ACA. Many, many thanks to Tom and the ACA for providing the opportunity to learn and have fun in the wonderful sport of Sea kayaking.

Thank you for your feedback!

IDW’s and ICE’s

Course Evaluations

Course - Sea Kayaking L-1, L-2 & L-3    Dates - Dec. 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2010 Location – Titusville, FL

Instructor Trainer – Tom Nickels

Your name – Tom Moore

Please help us improve our training programs by completing the following items as honestly as possible. Your feedback is very important to us and your responses can remain anonymous.

1. Instructor Trainers Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

	Poor	Adequate	Good	Very Good	Excellent
Concern for safety	1	2	3	4	XXX
Knowledge of subject matter	1	2	3	4	XXX
Professionalism	1	2	3	4	XXX
Interpersonal skills	1	2	3	4	XXX
Teaching ability	1	2	3	4	XXX
Paddling skills	1	2	3	4	XXX

Additional comments:                Tom gained my confidence in our first day.  Tom is very skilled and sincere about showing and teaching the techniques of this sport.  Tom made these four day’s very interesting and enjoyable.

2. Planning & Logistics

Pace of course	1	2	3	4	XXX
Organization of course	1	2	3	4	XXX
Accommodations	1	2	3	4	XXX
Comfort of teaching areas	1	2	3	4	XXX
Pre-course information	1	2	3	4	XXX
Usefulness of classroom presentations	1	2	3	4	XXX
Usefulness of on-water sessions	1	2	3	4	XXX

Additional comments:    Please comments see above.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

There was no wasted time in our program.  The pace was perfect, the division of instruction, student participation, and on the water where a very smooth blend of training.  Tom was very patient and made sure that we had the purpose of each stroke, and had preformed each to the point that our mechanics were correct.  Tom’s examples were picture perfect

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

The paddling strokes were the most valuable to me do to the fact that they will be the most important to each student.  Everything that we practiced on the water, paddling, recues, planning trips, weather, course heading, channel crossings, ect.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

There was nothing in your program that didn’t have value.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

My wife and I have had our kayaks for two years and have spent many hours in the water.  I have learned that I was not paddling efficiently, I was just getting exercise.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

SSEDO this is a proven technique, after experiencing this first hand you don’t change success.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

I would have very much have appreciated a personal email to each student.  This would give each student a link and the personal touch.

Thank you for your feedback!

_________________________________________________________________________________
Below evaluations or from the St. Augustine, FL event

1. Instructor Trainers — Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Concern for safety                                          5

Knowledge of subject matter                         5

Professionalism                                               5

Interpersonal skills                                          5

Teaching ability                                               5

Paddling skills                                                 5

Additional comments:              Tom and Rick were both very knowledgeable and professional.  Their teaching styles and encouragement were very helpful to me.

2. Planning & Logistics — Please rate in each of the categories below on a scale of 1-5.

Pace of course                                                 5

Organization of course                                    5

Accommodations                                            5

Comfort of teaching areas                              5

Pre-course information                                    4

Usefulness of classroom presentations           5

Usefulness of on-water sessions                     5

Additional comments:              The classroom accommodations were amazing — views of the Intra-coastal waterway and abundant wildlife.  I saw a pod of dolphins within five minutes of arrival in the classroom.

3. Did the quality of the instructional program meet your expectations? Please explain.

Yes.  The course was very complete, and all the demonstrations and stroke analyses were right on target.

4. What part(s) of the course was (were) most valuable to you?

Strokes and SSEDO teaching method worked well for me, and provided a good basis to use for my own instructional style.  I found the on-water demonstrations really helpful, too.

5. What part(s) of the course was (were) least valuable to you?

Although some of the information presented was already familiar to me,

I benefited from watching the presentation itself.

6. What changes will you make in your paddling as a result of this course?

I will use a greater variety of strokes, and will continue to experiment with the

euro blade.  There are also a number of changes/improvements I will make to my gear, equipment, and trip planning.

7. What changes will you make in your instruction as a result of this course?

As a new instructor, I will incorporate SSEDO into my presentations.

8. Any additional comments or suggestions would be appreciated:

Tom and Rick both had an easy-going style that worked well for me, and their encouragement along the way was very helpful.