Sarah Hartman Fund for Paddlesports Education
The Sarah Hartman Fund for Paddle Sports Education
Sarah Hartman was an accomplished and certified kayak instructor. She taught SUP and kayaking to all ages and abilities in a variety of venues around Chicago. She completed a 60 mile crossing of Lake Michigan and a solo expedition to Great Slave Lake. For a trip report on this – click here. Sarah left the paddling world way too soon on July 13, 2015, and IPC has established the Sarah Hartman Fund in her memory to continue fostering paddling instruction.
This fund is intended to increase safety in paddlesport by providing financial assistance to paddlers successfully completing either an American Canoe Association or British Canoeing certification program. In addition, the grant will also support nonprofit paddling clubs and organizations that are affiliated with the Illinois Paddling Council, and who engage a certified instructor to teach approved ACA or BC classes to its members. Applicants must reside in the Heartland states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The following grants will be awarded:
1. $500 – to an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer, or Instructor Trainer Educator.
The British Canoeing certification equivalent or Coach Educator.
2. $150 – to any individual completing American Canoe Instructor Level II or above
The British Canoeing certification equivalent Coach Award.
3. $250 – to any nonprofit paddling club or related organizational member of IPC offering its members an instructional program and engages a certified ACA or BC paddling instructor.
Requirements: Any paddler seeking certification needs to advise IPC in advance of his/her intent to do so, and upon successful completion submit the certificate within 30 days of receiving it.
For nonprofits seeking to offer an instructional program to its members, organizers need to submit details including name of certified instructor, date and location of the event, anticipated number of participants and summary of the event upon its conclusion.
Certified ACA instructors by discipline, level of certification and state can be accessed at: