American Canoe Association

Meet the Instructor, Jeff Atkins (Picture Below)

March 16-19, 2023

Artist Boat will be hosting an American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop in Galveston, TX. This is a great course for anyone who leads any type of group on kayaks. You can help them to be better paddlers or teach new paddlers, rescue stranded paddlers, and help them feel more comfortable so they can spend more time enjoying the water.  Taught by a highly skilled American Canoe Instructor, Jeff D. Atkins.

Level 1 or Level 2 certifications may be acquired in this course based on skill level. To learn more about these levels, visit the American Canoe Association website at https://americancanoe.org/education/types-of-courses/.

Following successful completion of the course, participants will have professional kayak training and be certified instructors with the American Canoe Association. Yay you!

Learn to: 

* Perform paddling skills consistently with demonstration quality

* Demonstrate effective teaching skills

* Demonstrate technical knowledge of paddlesport

* Demonstrate appropriate safety & rescue ability

* Demonstrate effective group/course management and positive interpersonal skills

Questions? Call Artist Boat at (409) 632-0388 or email Kelsey Malan 

Held on Galveston Island at Artist Boat’s Kayak Pavilion at the Coastal Heritage Preserve.

Meet the Instructor, Jeff Atkins

Based in the Southeast United States, Jeff is a retired Park Ranger. He now is a co-owner of Wavepaddler where he coaches and guides trips around North America while helping participants grow their paddling and leadership skills.

Jeff also holds several paddling certifications including being an Advanced Open Water Instructor and a Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator for the American Canoe Association. He is also an Instructor Trainer in Canoe and Stand-Up Paddleboard.  Jeff is a team paddler for Sea Kayaking UK/NDK, Celtic Paddles, and Bishop Boards. With additional certifications as a Wilderness First Responder, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, and a Coastal Master Naturalist, he is often sought after to help train outdoor professionals because of his experience and style as a coach. Paddling is his passion and he loves to spread this “infectious” recreation activity to others. He believes in helping others to expand their confidence and skills by having fun while learning. “There is nothing like the feeling of seeing a person smile because they just did something that they didn’t think they could do”.

Website: www.wavepaddler.com