![Rob Carmichael: Recipient of the ACA Award for Excellence in Instruction 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1735106030/uwcthailandacth/w0co2lgmnmwas1rv2yuo/Screenshot2024-12-25at124313_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1735106030/uwcthailandacth/w0co2lgmnmwas1rv2yuo/Screenshot2024-12-25at124313_1.png","width":346}])
Rob Carmichael, Director of Outdoor Experiential Education at UWC Thailand International School, has been honoured as the ‘Instructor of the Year’, winning the American Canoe Association: Excellence in Instruction Award 2024. This award recognises Rob’s contributions to paddlesports education and his leadership in supporting outdoor experiential learning locally and across Southeast Asia.
The ACA is one of the world's oldest and largest professional accrediting bodies for sports and activities. It has over 15,000 members, 4,000 active instructors and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organisations. The ACA education programme has an estimated reach of over 800,000 people per year in over 35 countries worldwide.
Since joining UWC Thailand in 2019, Rob has continued to develop the school's outdoor education programme, integrating paddlesports as a cornerstone of experiential learning. He led the establishment of the UWC Thailand Outdoor Education Centre, which has gained international recognition as an American Canoe Association Pro School. The Centre has since become a hub for outdoor learning and environmental stewardship, serving not only the school’s community but also the broader region, with staff from other organisations receiving leadership training at this site.
At the Centre, students from multiple grade levels have the chance to engage in kayaking activities throughout the year. One of the programme's highlights is a nine-day grade 9 kayaking expedition, where students paddle through local waters using paddles they’ve crafted themselves. Senior students can take their skills further by participating in programmes that offer American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 2 Coastal Kayak Instructor certification, providing them with vocational qualifications they can carry into the world beyond UWC Thailand.
Through his work, Rob Carmichael has helped to elevate UWC Thailand as a global leader in outdoor experiential education through a commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and personal growth. This has empowered countless young paddlers and educators, fostering a new generation of conscientious leaders who are not only skilled in paddlesports but also passionate advocates for the natural world.
“Receiving this Award for Excellence in Instruction is a huge honour. It reflects the incredible support of the UWC Thailand community and the educators and leaders I’ve collaborated with over the past five years. I’m incredibly passionate about using outdoor education to inspire resilience, leadership, and stewardship in young people, and this recognition motivates me to continue expanding access to these transformative experiences.”