Paddle Surf Kite Employment & Certification | Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

Consider making it a career!

Employment opportunities include Sea Kayak Instructors, Whitewater Kayak Instructors, SUP Instructors and Kiting Instructors.

Now Hiring Summer Sea Kayak Instructors! (Student Position)
Do you like to paddle? Do you like teaching, coaching, and getting to know people from all over the country? Our Sea Kayak Instructors gain lots of hands-on experience teaching, and spend their summer in the beautiful Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Duluth Harbor and Lake Superior! We provide training and support for you to become the instructor you want to be!
Apply at the UMD Jobs website (select "Students," and search Job ID 352843)
Contact person: Melody David-McKnight, SpHC 153, phone 726-8231, email [email protected]

Swift Water Rescue

Learn how to prepare for and react to swift water rescue situations. Classroom and hands-on learning focuses on equipment, rope skills, self and assisted-rescues that are done from in or out of the boat. The final day is dedicated to handling on-river rescue scenarios in groups. Paddlers must be comfortable paddling a kayak or canoe in at least Class II whitewater.
NOT AVAILABLE SUMMER 2021

American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Skills Assessment

This ACA Assessment Course is designed to evaluate a participant's ability to perform Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor skills in 10-15 knot winds, 1-2 foot waves or surf, within 1.5 nautical miles from shore, along with demonstrating an appropriate level of knowledge. Participants will receive documentation of having achieved a certain level of paddling ability. Prerequisites: participants will have participated in a minimum of three, full day journeys e.g. longer than 8 nautical miles.
DATES COMING SOON
Cost: Skills Assessment Only: $100 UMD Students / $150 Others
Skills Assessment plus ICW: $500 UMD Students / $750 Others

American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop

In this supportive environment you will demonstrate and hone your skills, receive a professional evaluation of your paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills. Prerequisite for Instructor Candidates: pass a Level 3 Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment or Level 3 Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Assessment. **Participants not seeking an instructor certification are also invited to enroll for a portion of the course as practice students for the IT candidates at a discounted rate. Please inquire about dates and pricing for practice students.
COMING SPRING/SUMMER 2024
Cost: ICW only: $450 UMD Students / $650 Others
Skills Assessment plus ICW: $500 UMD Students / $750 Others