Congratulations to newly certified kayak instructors!

[Liz Caldwell]

I'm proud to introduce the newest ACA-certified kayakers instructors in the Arkansas Canoe Club.

From the ArkLaTex Chapter: Brian Adams, Joe Goodwin, Harlan Hughes and Roman Ryder

From the Central Chapter: Jeremy Mackey

From the River Valley Chapter: Sean Curtis

From the Northwest Chapter: Justin Payne, Steve Runnels and Ryan Serfass

The Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam were held over the last two weekends on the Mulberry River with the phenomenal Instructor Trainer Mary DeRiemer from Lotus, Calif., who was ably assisted by our own Tom Burroughs.

Thanks to Dave and Cindy Robertson for allowing us to use their beautiful property, and to Dave Reid for some fine Dutch Oven cooking.

Next time you see them, please take time to congratulate our new instructors who worked so hard and took time out of their schedules to complete this training so they could give back to our club.

[Regud]

[EMTyak]

That's awesome! Congrats guys!

[n2outdrs]

Congratulations!!

[cmartin]

Congrats!

[GN YAKN]

Big thanks to Liz Caldwell for organizing this entire project. nine new instructors is fantastic!

Thanks Liz!

PS: Mary DeRiemer's roll instruction technique was pretty incredible. We need to adopt her process and spread it around the club. It was very effective and answered some of the biggest challenges I have had with teaching the roll!.

[Jim E]

Awesome work guys!! Thanks for spending the time and $ that is involved for such an endeavor.

[okieboater]

As usual, I second Dave Robertson's comments.

While there is no such thing in my opinion, as the perfect roll for every person, this style sure works good for me.

I think it works well for today's thicker kayaks, folks with short arms and for folks like me with reduced flexibility for what ever reason.

I started doing the C to C taught to me by Ken Kastroff many moons ago. As time went by I went more and more to a sweep to a C but the C part was getting less and less effective due to a lot of neck, shoulder, lower back issues.

I watched very closely as Mary worked with several newbies showing them the new roll. Not much of a change for me to do and I am astounded at how easy on the bod the new style is. My opinion it just makes easier the sweep to C roll many of us use.

One key is lots of emphasis on torso rotation which automatically engages the rolling knee and another is the finish position which includes sliding the paddle across the chest with the head looking down the paddle shaft.

I saw this last movement from the sweep to the finish position save a lot of "diving paddle" rolls which would have not worked otherwise.

Not saying this style roll solves every issue but the way they have put it all together makes a lot of sense. Proving once again you can teach a old dog a new trick!

See it in action at Canoe School from both Dave's and others at the IDW session.

[T Yamashita]

Most excellent!!!

ty

[Minna Ulmer]

Thank you Liz and every one! The ACC is truly an awesome organization. Cant wait for WW School. I am so grateful for all who have taugh me and all who will teach me. CONGRATULATIONS to our new instructors

[paddledog]

Great weekend with great fellow students.
The support group couldn't have been any better.
Thanks to Dave and Cindy for letting us crash at a very cool spot. (his house)
Dave Reid showed us some of his world famous dutch oven cooking.
Liz topped the cake with a well planned and executed class.
Thanks to everyone.

[OzarkTom]

Well done folks!

Lots of work and time for all involved. Dave and Cindy, your willingness to step up and let us use your place for a second weekend in a row when we wound up needing it was way beyond generous! Thank You!

Liz and Mike, Dave Reid and everyone else that had a hand in making this happen, this is part of what makes our club so good. When something needs done, someone is always willing to step up and help. So once again, thanks to all of you.

For those of you who have never taken an instructor's certification course, I can only tell you that these folks worked long and hard, spending their own funds and using their free time/vacation time to learn how to help new paddlers more effectively. The process is long and challenging, but these guys hung in there and saw it through. If it were not for all the people in the ACC who are committed to the paddler education process, we would be a very different and not as solid organization.

Here's to our newest instructors!!

Tom

[JTarver]

Congrats new instructors! You've done it now..a life of servitude!

Can't wait to get on some water with you all.
Joe

[Cowper]

Thanks guys!

I tip my hat to those who take the time to help others in this wonderful sport, and I wish you many wonderful returns for your efforts.

[Kurt]

Congratulations to all the new certified instructors.