Multisport Instructor Trainer Development Workshop
BETA:
Bryson City NC, May 2-4, 2025, $750.
Enrollment is by application after $250 deposit. If your application is not accepted your deposit will be refunded. Deposit instructions and scholarship information are in the linked application form above. Scroll down for more about the Instructor Trainer Educators facilitating this dynamic opportunity, and for more information about the Workshop itself.
About the Instructor Trainer Educators (ITE):
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Anne Sontheimer
L4 Kayak ITE, L5 Kayak IT (she/her) began her journey with the National Outdoor Center (NOC) in 1991, guiding rafts on the Nantahala, Ocoee, and Chattooga rivers. Her passion for paddling led her to join the Paddling School in 1997, and by 2000, she was a full-time instructor, teaching paddlers of all ages and skill levels.
A dedicated professional, Anne became an ACA (American Canoe Association) Instructor in 1996 then an ACA Instructor Trainer (ITE) for Whitewater Kayak Level 4 in 2005 and an Instructor Trainer for Advanced Whitewater Kayak (IT AWWK) in 2018. She also has been serving on the ACA River Kayak Committee 2022 and became Chair in 2024 currently serving.
Anne's teaching superpower lies in her concept-based approach, focusing on building skills through improvisation, adaptation, and innovation. She encourages students to explore and grow through discovery, playing with techniques to understand what works and why. Anne emphasizes the importance of integrating intuitive and intentional skill development, always with a strong focus on fun and effective risk management. Her dynamic teaching style fosters an engaging and supportive learning environment where students can thrive.
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Anna Levesque
L4 Kayak ITE, L2 SUP ITE (she/her) is a distinguished leader in the outdoor industry, known for changing the narrative around empowering women in whitewater, and boldly authentic conversation around fear, vulnerability and moving through discomfort.
She’s a sought after mental agility and white water kayak coach, host of The Discomfort Zone Podcast, and founder of Mind Body Paddle. Anna is an ACA Instructor Trainer Educator in both L4 Whitewater Kayaking and L2 Stand Up Paddleboarding. She also served as Chair of the ACA Safety Education and Instruction Council for 3 years (2021-2024)
Anna is the author of the book Yoga for Paddling, was named one of the most inspirational paddlers alive by Canoe and Kayak magazine, and won bronze at the 2001 Freestyle Kayak World Championships. She has paddled, taught and competed on the international stage for close to 30 years.
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Jordan Taylor
L4 Kayak ITE, L4 Canoe ITE, L4 Rescue IT. (he/they) has just over thirty years of experience instructing whitewater and has served many organizations in an instructor development role: Davidson College Outdoor Program (NC) The Calleva River School (DC), National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), North Carolina Outward Bound School, Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center (CO), Zoar Outdoor (MA), Madawaska Canoe Center (Ontario) and others.
They are an L4 ITE in Kayak and Canoe, as well as an L4 Rescue IT, an L5 Kayak IT Candidate and Rescue L5 Instructor. Taylor has become especially passionate about rescue instruction in the last three years and has been teaching rescue and rescue instructor courses around the US. They were ACA Instructor of the Month March of 2023. Taylor is also an artist and has work included in museum and private collections.
Taylor is passionate about educational spaces designed with lots of different kinds of people in mind. As their teaching of Instructor Courses has picked up they have adapted leadership curriculum from the NOLS to fit the whitewater industry more broadly in a training called “Social Rescue Skills”. They have tried several times in their adult life to quit coffee and paddlesports instruction. Neither has worked.
Elevate Your Paddlesport Leadership: Join an ACA Instructor Trainer Development Workshop (ITDW)
Are you ready to shape the future of paddlesport instruction? This transformative 3-day workshop is your opportunity to train the next generation of ACA instructors, guided by three of the most passionate leaders in the industry: Anna Levesque, Anne Sonntheimer, and Jordan Taylor.
Why Attend? This is more than just a workshop; it's a chance to expand your teaching toolkit, refine your leadership, and grow alongside a community of like-minded professionals. Over three intensive days, you’ll collaborate with Instructor Trainers and Trainer Candidates across Kayak, Canoe, and SUP, while gaining insights from leaders who are redefining excellence in paddlesport education.
What You’ll Experience:
Learn from the Best: Anna, Anne, and Jordan will share their expert knowledge, drawing from years of training and mentoring instructors.
Collaboration: Engage with peers and workshop leaders in discussion, experiential sessions, and receiving real time feedback from other seasoned educators to sharpen your skills.
Innovative Teaching Techniques: Explore cutting-edge approaches for guiding and assessing other educators, from managing group dynamics to fostering creativity and fun in the classroom.
Practical Tools for Success: Get access to templates, resources, and ongoing peer to peer discussion threads, and strategies to elevate your coaching and teaching.
Video Review: We will video your boating to offer performance analysis, and to help you cultivate your own video based instruction.
Google Classroom: This course will use a Google Classroom available to you well before the start date that will include video playlists, required and suggested readings, online learning modules and forum for discussion, questions and interactions with your peer group. This easy to use platform can also enhance the courses you offer in the future. The Google Classroom for this course will remain available to you in perpetuity.
Key Workshop Topics:
Next-level Communication: Navigate difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.
Building an inclusive, supportive culture: Create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Empowering others: Guide your instructor candidates to design engaging, student-driven lessons.
Setting boundaries: Learn to balance leadership with personal well-being, while empowering those you train.
Who Should Attend? Whether you’re looking to update your ACA Instructor Trainer certification or want to step into a leadership role, this workshop is designed for paddlesport educators committed to excellence. You'll also have the chance to diversify your skills by exploring different crafts, including whitewater kayak, canoe, and SUP.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
Enhanced teaching and coaching methods to effectively train other instructors.
Valuable connections with a network of peers and industry leaders.
Confidence in handling real-world challenges, from risk management to social dynamics, to performance analysis
A renewed sense of purpose and direction in your career as an Instructor Trainer.
Secure Your Spot!
Spaces are limited, so don't miss this opportunity to take your teaching to the next level. Whether you're refining your skills or stepping into a new role, this workshop will provide the support and inspiration you need to lead with confidence.
