Spring AUXPAD Training (SAT)

Spring AUXPAD Training (SAT)

Building on the success of 2024 Winter AUXPAD Training in Florida, the Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Safety Division (AUXPAD) is offering its members Coastal Kayaking instruction on James Island South Carolina from April 28-May 2, 2025. The principal lodging and training site will be the James Island County Park, a great location for coastal kayaking with excellent nearby paddling venues.

SAT offers 4 separate instructional tracks based largely on the American Canoe Association (ACA) L2 Essentials of Kayak Touring curriculum. This training prepares Auxiliarists to become effective Paddlecraft Operators, AUXPAD Qualifiers, and spokespersons for paddlecraft safety outreach. Funding is being sought to help participants pay for travel, lodging and professional Instructor Trainers.

Schedule and Courses

April 28 - travel day, evening welcome gathering / place TBD.

Track 1 - ACA Essentials of Kayak Touring: L2 Skills and Assessment.

Suitable for beginning paddlers. Successful L2 assessment is a major requirement for qualification as an AUXPAD Operator. A half-day of L1 Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) training may be also be included. Auxiliarists who may have been assessed in Sit-on-Top kayaks may be interested as this training will be in sit-in kayaks.

April 29th - May 1st (3 full days)

Track 1.5 (NEW) ACA Essentials of Kayak Touring: L2 Skills and Assessment.

Are you an AUXPAD Operator, or recently assessed for Level 2 skills? This track is for those that want to further refine their skills and potentially begin the journey toward certification as an ACA Instructor. A half-day of L1 SUP training may be a component of this track.

April 29th - May 1st (3 full days with an optional 4th day may be offered depending in participant interest)

Track 2 - ACA Essentials of Kayak Touring: L2 Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW).

This is NOT for beginners - the course is not intended to train personal paddling skills, but rather to prepare candidates as instructors to teach and assess students’ L2 skills. Prerequisite – Previous successful L2 assessment and/or approval by Instructor Training team. Certification as an L2 Instructor is a major step toward AUXPAD Qualifier status.

April 29th - May 2nd (4 full days required)

Track 3 - ACA Essentials of Kayak Touring (L2) Instructor Update.

For Instructors seeking a required update, or just looking to improve their teaching and group management skills. Depending on interest, this may be combined with Coastal Kayak Level 3 training, and/or a risk management workshop. A half-day of L1 SUP training may be included.

April 29 - May 1st (3 full days with an optional 4th day)

Location

James Island County Park is less than 30 minutes from the Charleston International Airport. The park boasts a 100-acre pond, with multiple secluded coves suitable for on-water training in almost any wind state. Additional coastal training sites include the Folly River, the Stono River and Charleston Harbor.

Lodging

Nine discounted three-bedroom cabins have been reserved at the park. The plan is to place 3 participants in each cabin to foster camaraderie and keep our costs down. Nearby hotels and Air BnB options are also available for those who prefer to make their own arrangements.

Paddlecraft and Gear

There is a large fleet of quality roto-molded touring kayaks, PFDs and paddles and SUPs available from the park at no extra charge, for those not bringing personal boats. The registration form will ask whether you are planning to bring your own kayak.

Instruction

Each track will have a maximum of 10 participants, a currently qualified AUXPAD Qualifier (and ACA Instructor), and an ACA Instructor Trainer with deep experience in Coastal Kayaking.

Anticipated Instructors:

Auxiliarist Don Rice, ACA L2 Instructor Trainer

Auxiliarist Roland McDevitt, ACA L3 Instructor

Auxiliarist Joey Taguding, ACA L2 Instructor

Auxiliarist Charles Hayes, ACA L2 Instructor

Joshua Hall, world-renowned multi-disciplined, ACA Instructor Trainer Educator

Jeff Atkins, world-renowned multi-disciplined, ACA Instructor Trainer Educator

Ashley Brown, world-renowned multi-disciplined, ACA Instructor Trainer

Scott Szczepaniak, ACA L2 Instructor Trainer

Check out this L2/L3 Instructor Certification Workshop that was led by Scott Szczepaniak several years ago. Thanks to Kayak Hipster for producing this video!

Pre-Register Now

This is the time to save the date and pre-register so we can keep you up to date with developments, and anticipate the demand for cabins, kayaks, and instructors.

No fee is required at this time. A firm commitment is required by February 15. Updates on Coast Guard Auxiliary funding for travel and training costs will be posted prior to that date. Our goal is to keep this very affordable.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, United States