Howdy ACA GLAR 22’ Attendees- Hopeful that everyone has arrived home safely. Well, it has been another safe and successful GLAR, and I want to send a quick thanks out to all who contributed. Which is all of you. Bringing together that many talented people in a remote location, working together in harmony towards the common goal of improving safety…its a pretty special thing when accomplished….and that is exactly what we did. Nice work!
The ACA Instructors generous gifts of both time and knowledge is extraordinary on many levels, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such kind people on our Team. Instructors rock! The Attendees were attentive, super helpful and generous as well, offering to assist others in their endeavor to become stronger and smarter canyoneers. What a very nice thing to be around.
Including just a few quick photos of the fun on then ACA FaceBook.
The American Canyoneering Association has a new Skill Assessment format. In response to Member input (thank you), we have refined elements of the program that is working well, and added new items to help us Assess your canyoneering skills effectively and efficiently. Two experienced “test groups” were part of the experimentation process, extending a special thank you to them as well. The general feedback from the Test Groups and Assessors is that we have significantly improved the Assessment experience. Those who passed Assessment felt they grasped the material very well, and those who did not pass understood precisely why, and how to proceed forward. This is the goal we endeavor towards together.
Quick summary of Assessment Format Changes:
– 2 Initial opportunities at each station.
– Stoppage of tasks at point of error. Called a “Strike”.
– Immediate debrief and explanation of error.
– Available Training on tasks between “Strikes”.
– “Comeback”. A third Strike opportunity, for those meeting qualifying criteria (*see below).
Skill “Stations”- Each Station will have a task that likely includes a single item to assess or a combination of multiple elements from the Skills Lists. At Stations, you will arrive, be informed of the task(s) and given the opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Following this, the Task Assessment will formally begin. It may be a timed task, such as a rescue, or it may be something simple or subjective that is not timed. Either way, the task and the parameters will be clear, so there is no ambiguity regarding expectation.
Station “Strikes”- Students receive two initial attempts to pass each Skill Station. Failures at a Station results in a “Strike”. If an unrecoverable error occurs, your Assessor will stop the assessment immediately and explain any mistake in technique, sequence, etc. Following this, the student can practice with trainers or other strong peers and later return to the station. Two Strikes at the same Station will result in a “Station Standby”.
Station “Standby”- Two Strikes at a Station is a Station “Standby”. If the student has equal to or less that the qualifying number of Station Standby’s (4-Aspirant, 3-Assistant Leader, 2-Canyon Leader) they receive a third attempt or “Station Comeback” at the Station(s) they have failed.
*Station “Comebacks” – Must be completed within 30 days of original Assessment. The “Comeback” attempts may occur immediately following the completed Assessment or it may be scheduled. This will be based on available time and the Assessors discretion.
Assessment Failure- If a person exceeds the number of authorized Station Standbys, it will be an Assessment Failure. Students are welcome to stay and observe, or even assist the assessors with certain tasks, but their assessment will be over at that time. Direct feedback provided by Assessors can be used to develop a training plan for going forward.
That’s it. Thank you for everyones help in this endeavor to build the strongest training, assessment and certification program possible. See you at the next workshop, assessment or other event. Train well, be safe, have fun. GLAR starts Friday!!! Honduras next, Dec 1-4, 2022:)
The American Canyoneering Association would like to congratulate Guillaume Coupier for the successful completion of the ACA’s Pro Guide assessment and certification. He is the owner-operator of a canyoning guide service in Western Canada (gorgeous canyons) and is a respected member of the thriving Canadian canyoneering community. He arrived exceptionally well prepared, with a focus and professionalism that was immediately apparent.
Guillaume moved through technical skills with a level of expertise that allowed him to solve difficult challenges with ease. He has the ability to assess, adapt and move forward with a grace that comes from hard work and dedicated training in a variety of technical disciplines. His leadership style is a solid balance of thoughtfulness, empowerment and clear communication.
I appreciate that Guillaume is personally committed to continue advancing the collaboration among the Canadian and American canyoneering communities. These expanded opportunities will help us all grow stronger and safer, together. His vision for the future is super exciting and the insight he possesses is unique and inspirational.
This is such a fantastic combination of qualities, skills and experience. It is a real honor having him join our ACA Team. Thank you for the excellent work Guillaume, and welcome aboard.
*Special thanks to Joe Storms for assistance with this.
The formal skills list for the new Sovereign Canyoneer Course is complete and posted on the ACA Website. Yay! This new recreational level training program is for our Members who seek a higher level of training to elevate experience opportunities and improve personal safety. Take a moment to look over this list of super useful canyoneering skills. Sovereign Skill Checklist
Special thank you to Steve Szoke and Rebecca Haacke (plus MANY others) for contributing to the development of this excellent new training option. Very cool.
Thats it for now. Let’s get ready for another fun year of training together, being safe and having lots of great adventures….fun stuff ahead:)
New ACA Pro Guides. L to R. Andrew, Scott B., Brent, Scott E.
The ACA is pleased to congratulate Brent McCormick, Andrew Jimenez, Scott Embley and Scott Barlow for the successful completion of their ACA Pro Guide Certification. Each of them arrived in Mexico completely prepared to learn and grow as leaders, and they exceeded our significant expectations, every minute of every day. We are appreciative of their commitments to safety and excellence!
Scott Embley: Wow. The first person outside of our own ACA Leader Program to “walk on” to a Pro Guide Assessment….and he did phenomenally. Technically super solid, his passion for professional training has him well rounded in rope and climbing skills. Scott’s well established leadership style of guest empowerment is perfect for this discipline and will be greatly appreciated by his clients. Young, kind and focused….it’s an absolute pleasure to have him in our ACA Circle of Trust, hang on tight Scott, fun stuff ahead!!
Brent McCormick: Brilliant. His technical ability is well documented and the physical strength matched the mental stamina….no surprise. I caught a glimpse of his leadership style at the last GLAR and was excited about this assessment. Result? He is among the best instructors I have seen, in any discipline. Unbelievable ability to explain and instruct in a way that breaks things down to its purest, cleanest form. Consistently shows an openness to let others engage, while maintaining their focus on tasks. This is not an easy needle to thread, but Brent does it gracefully. Bravo amigo!!
Andrew Jimenez: Focused. Andrew has grown since his time with us at Excursions of Escalante! His abilities to assess canyons, develop routes and address risk mitigation challenges has reached a whole new level. His time exploring canyons in the NW has served him well, as he hones his skills in this new Class C environment. Technically he is on a par with our best and his Guiding style is calm, cool and collected….which we love! His perseverance and passion will lead him to the development of a top rated Canyoneering Guide Service and we look forward to his safe and successful career.
Scott Barlow: Powerful. From my perspective, he is among the most powerful people leading canyons. Both mentally and physically, his ability to move with total ease through canyoneering obstacles encourages confidence and enables others to go beyond their comfort level. His attention to detail is incredible, very little if anything escapes his focus, before, during, and after the adventure. His management of personalities is a quality that is not easily measured, yet we all know when we are in the presence of an expert. Scott makes others stronger, with power to spare.
***Special Thank You to Bruce Shapiro and Steve Szoke. Their technical skill and canyon knowledge is incredible, their generosity is legendary. xoxo
Howdy Team ACA. Hope this note finds all well. This message is to ensure there is no confusion or ambiguity regarding the change from “CL1″ to “Assistant Canyon Leader” title. Here’s the short and sweet version of the previous super lengthy blog on the topic:
Why Change It:
The “Canyon Leader 1″ title, was not completely accurate. At the “CL1″ level of training, we have not provided the skills training and needed to manage group and personal safety adequately. Nor can we “squeeze it in”. The addition of the word “Assistant” clears this up.
What it Means:
If you have successfully completed the “CL1” Assessment OR are in the Assessment process, the following applies to you:
Nothing whatsoever is required of you.
The change is in name only.
Leadership level skill lists and assessments are the same.
Sequencing of training is the same.
Duties and responsibilities are unchanged.
What we will be changing: We are significantly increasing the number of workshops and courses focused on preparation for “Canyon Leader” Assessment.
Questions? Suggestions? Please reach out, we are here to serve the whole Community! More fun ahead:)
