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Description
· Content · Target
Audience Duration · Prerequisites ·
Recommendations
Certification · Recertification ·
Mentoring
Program CECs
·
Fees · What to Bring · Manual
This
comprehensive course includes the essential tools
necessary to design and lead safe, effective,
holistic
aquafitness classes and programs. The course
content meets the needs of experienced aquafitness
leaders as well as lifeguards, aerobic instructors,
personal trainers, coaches, participants and aspiring
leaders; and exceeds the Provincial and Federal
Guidelines and Standards. This course is a BCRPA
approved course,
and is recognized by selected YMCA and YWCA facilities
and Canadian Universities and Colleges. The course is
accredited by many other international, national and
provincial fitness organizations.
On
the international
scene, the course is available in
Germany through "LEAD" and
in South Africa through the South African Division of
CALA which is housed at the University of Stellenbosch,
Sports Science Department.
The
course
manual is currently available in both French and
English. You are welcome to purchase the manual prior to
registering for the course. If you do so, the cost of
the manual will be deducted from the course fees upon
registration.
Foundation Course: Group Aqua Fitness
(an additional 20 hours)
Group Aqua Fitness is taken after completing the compulsory
Vertical Water Training.
The complete "Foundation course: Adding Group Aqua Fitness
to the
learning experience provides the opportunity for aspiring aquafitness
leaders and participants to expand their knowledge about
fitness theory related to water. Anatomy and physiology
is presented in an applied manner with respect to
exercising in water. Group Aqua Fitness provides increased
opportunity to practice and fine tune leadership
skills to gain confidence in preparation for the
certification process.
Group Aqua Fitness Course usually extends over one
full weekend or may be organized in a variety of ways
(one evening per week over a period of several weeks)
according to the availability
of the facility.
To
fully benefit from this learning experience,
arrive with lots of enthusiasm, a desire to learn and an
open mind.
It is highly
recommended that course participants complete both Vertical Water Training
and Group Aqua Fitness course. This includes 40+
hours of applied theoretical and practical training. In
special cases, when a candidate is at a very high level
of competency with respect to fitness leadership
experience and has a strong knowledge base (understands
applied anatomy and physiology) there is the option of
attending Vertical Water Training of the course only.
Content:
Group Aqua Fitness
(Note: The content listed below is a
continuation of the content listed for Vertical Water Training)
Putting
The
Class Together
- Factors contributing to health and wellness
- Promoting the concepts of Active Living
- The components of fitness - principles of training:
applied to water
- More practice creating and leading aquatic exercises
- More practice designing and leading movements specific
to each class segment
- More coaching and refinement of leadership skills from
a qualified CALA trainer and/or mentor
Moving
To
Music
- Elements of music:
rhythm, including
tempo, meter, phrasing, melody and mood
- Practice using beat and phrase while designing and
leading aquafitness routines to music
An
Anatomical Approach To Safe Aquatic Exercise
Design
- Anatomical terminology
- Joint and muscle actions: applied to water
- More aquatic exercise analysis: prime movers and
stabilizers for CALA moves
- Review of safety issues
- Practice designing and leading aquafitness exercises
with specific muscle focus, joint action focus:
teaching how to put the 'mind into the muscle'
The
Aquatic
Physiological Perspective
- Cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic systems
applied to water
- Effects of immersion on the cardiovascular system with
respect to training heart rate
- Effects of immersion on the respiratory system with respect
to lung capacity
- Basic nutrition
-
Fitness participant with a desire to learn
more to enhance personal exercise results
-
Lifeguard
and/or swimming instructor
-
Rehabilitation
and post-rehabilitation specialist
-
Group
fitness instructor
-
Personal
trainer
-
Water-lover;
enjoys working with people
-
Job
seeker; part time job or career change
-
Retirees
who have the time and commitment to get fit and
possibly lead
others
- Group Aqua Fitness
is a total
of 20 hours
- A
combination of land and water
'activity-based' sessions are complimented with
applied theoretical sessions
- Group Aqua Fitness
of this course is usually offered
on one full weekend
- Some facilities choose to schedule the course
differently depending on availability of the pool
and classroom
You must be a current member
of CALA to participate in this educational opportunity.
Note:
The following are highly recommended, but not
compulsory:
-
Keen
interest in aquafitness
-
Willingness
to learn through practice and study before, during
and after the course
-
Eagerness
to achieve a high standard of leadership in
aquafitness
-
Openness
to learning and embracing new information
-
CPR and First Aid are highly recommended
Certification
usually occurs several weeks after the course although
course participants have the option of completing
certification immediately following the course.
Certification must be completed within one year of
taking the course. Certification includes two components:
Theory Component
Practical
Component
-
30
minute practical assessment
or
A 30 minute video may be submitted for the practical assessment, in lieu
of having an assessor in person. If a video is submitted,
the feedback is delivered by the mail in writing, verbal feedback is not
generally given with a video assessment
-
Each
participant is allotted 30 minutes to complete
practical assessment
and
15-20 minutes to receive “one-on-one” feedback. The candidate
is sent
a
copy of the completed practical assessment
form from the CALA office
-
Pass mark is 75%
Re-write
or Re-assessment
Deadline
For Completion Of Certification
- The candidate has one year from the last date of their course to
complete the theoretical and practical aspects of
certification.
- CALA offers an Apprentice
Mentor Program (CAMP)
to assist new leaders in achieving certification
upon completion of the course.
- The
'CAMP' program is not mandatory in order to achieve
certification, however, CALA encourages leaders to take advantage
of this excellent opportunity to further develop
leadership skills and knowledge prior to engaging in
the certification process.
Continuing
Education Credits
CECs
-
No
CECs are awarded for taking the course the first
time
-
If you need
a review of the material, you can repeat the course and earn 12 CECs
for Vertical Water Training and for Group Aqua Fitness
for a total of 24 credits
-
You
can also
earn CECs with other fitness organizations by
completing the CALA course
Attending
CALA Specialty Courses, workshops and conferences and/or
re-taking the CALA Foundation Course, will entitle you
to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs). One hour of
education (theory and/or practical) earns one CALA CEC.
For example: Attend a three hour Aqua Choreography
workshop, earn three CALA CECs.
To
maintain certification status as an aquafitness leader
you must meet the following criteria:
- Current
CALA
member, in good standing
- Gather
a minimum of eight CALA CEC's before
re-certification date
- Pay
an annual re-certification fee. Refer to the fee
schedule (pdf format)
Maintaining
Certification Status: Made Easy!
Note:
At CALA, we make it easy to maintain certification
status as an aquafitness leader. Leaders can
"bank" or accumulate CALA CECs before
attending the Foundation Course, or completing
certification. If more than eight credits are
collected, CALA will bump the extra credits into the
next re-certification period.
Petitioning
for Credits
Note:
In the event that the necessary number of credits
are not collected before the certification expiry date,
the candidate can petition for credits. This means, CALA
will review documentation submitted by the candidate
that proves attendance at educational events that
enhance fitness knowledge and leadership skills. There
is a petition fee applicable. Refer to the fee
schedule (pdf format)
Attendees taking the course with the goal to lead classes will need the
following:
- Proper Aquafitness shoes
(The "RYKA 2 Aqua shoe" is available through CALA)
or good quality running shoes suitable for
the pool deck and dry land movement
- Shorts to wear over a swimsuit (not short shorts),
an aquafitness or an aerobic outfit (one
that can get wet) for 'on deck'
leadership practice
Attendees taking the course for general (personal) interest:
- Slip-on water shoes or
clean running shoes that can be used in
the water
All attendees taking
the course will need the following:
- A couple of swimsuits and
towels
- A water bottle
- Shoes and comfortable
clothing (tracksuit or athletic clothing)
suitable for dry land movement
- Writing materials to take notes
- A lock to secure
valuables
- Details about any medical
information that may be required in case
of a medical emergency
- Food for break times
Bring lots of energy and enthusiasm.
Get ready to have fun and learn a lot. Remember - just
like a parachute, your mind works better when it is
open.
-
The comprehensive CALA Manual used in the "Group Aqua Fitness"
is available for purchase
without attending the course.
-
If you purchase the manual prior to registering for the
course, CALA will deduct the cost of the manual from the
course fee.
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