Levels 1 & 2 Practical Class, Sunrise Academy, Bakersfield, CA

Level 1 & Level 2 Instructor Practical Class, at Sunrise Academy, Bakersfield, CA

Note that BOTH Level 1 AND Level 2 training happens at this event.  Level 1Instructors complete training by 12:30 PM, and are dismissed.  Level 2 Instructor trainees continue in class until 4:30 PM.

Level 1 "Who":  This Level 1 Instructor Practical Class is limited to instructor candidates, age 15 and over.  Phone or text the Trainer today to reserve your position, or learn your position on the waiting list!   (Coach David Davenport, 661-873-3483.)    Note:  this posting has been listed online since 09-16-2025.

Level 2 "Who":  This Level 2 Instructor Practical Class is limited to instructor candidates, age 18 and over.  Phone or text the Trainer today to reserve your position, or learn your position on the waiting list!   (Coach David Davenport, 661-873-3483.)    Note:  this posting has been listed online since 09-16-2025.  Note that those wishing to start a new USA Archery Club MUST have Level 2 status.

When:  Saturday, January 17, 2026.  8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Where:  Sunrise Academy, 3212 Jewetta Avenue, Bakersfield, CA  93312.

Material Covered:  This Practical Class features all the requisite training for a USA Archery certification as a Level 1 or Level 2 Instructor.  All archery equipment and classroom supplies are provided.  The Trainer will include supplemental subject material that is useful to new Level 1 and 2 Instructors of archery.  

The Level 1 Instructor material covers all the basics of Level 1 certification. (8 AM to 12:30 PM)

The Level 2 Instructor Classes (both Online and Practical) do a comprehensive review of the principles of the Level 1 Instructor certification classes, and introduce additional content for Level 2.  New subjects in Level 2 include:  advanced bow and arrow selection for individual archers, arrow spine considerations, fitting various accessories to individual archers, applying the 11 Steps of the National Training System to shooting the compound bow, advanced coaching techniques, how to teach practice archery class sessions, adjustment of brace height, setting of nocking point, and repair of bowstrings and arrows.  (This training runs from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.)

The Trainer:  David Davenport (Coach Dave) is a Level 3 NTS Coach with USA Archery (USAA) and the National Field Archery Association (NFAA).  He has 13 years' experience doing and teaching archery to beginning and intermediate archers.  He has taught Practical Classes five previous times.  He teaches weekly archery classes at indoor and outdoor ranges in the Bakersfield area.

Pre-requisites: 

Level 2 Instructor candidates have five pre-requisites that must be "cleared" before you can take the Practical Class.  These include 1) being age 18 or more, 2) buying a membership with USAA or NFAA, 3) completing a free SafeSport online training class, 4) paying for/passing a background check, and 5) paying for/passing the Online Class for Level 2.  Please read and understand these fully, as posted at: https://www.usarchery.org/coaches/become-a-coach/level-2-instructor-certification.  Scroll down to the section titled, "Prerequisites & Certification Requirements."  Read those lines, and their hyperlinks to get the full information.  Note that the background check clearance requires some lead-time and is a "must have" to be seated for the Practical Class.

Levels 1 and 2:  There is a "must-pass" multiple choice exam at the end of the Online Class.  You MUST complete this online course to qualify to take the Practical Class at Sunrise Academy.  To be clear, USA Archery will not allow you to complete registration for the Practical Class at their web site until AFTER you have completed the Online Class.  Plan to finish 1 to 3 weeks prior to January 17, 2026.

Note that having Level 1 Instructor certification is NOT a requirement to become a Level 2 Instructor.  The Level 1 practical training is included in the morning.  Non-instructors go from "no Instructor certification" at 8 AM to "Level 2 Instructor" certification at 4:30 PM.

 Venue and Apparel:  The classroom part of the training takes place in a conference room or classroom of Sunrise Academy.  Outdoor training takes place on the Academy's spacious archery range, on a grassy soccer field.  Mid-January temperatures range from about 39° F in the morning to about 60° F in the afternoon.  Dress in layers for the indoor-to-outdoor class transitions, both morning and afternoon.  A down vest/jacket, ski cap and driving gloves are highly recommended for the morning outdoor session.

Fees:  

Level; 1 Instructor:  Applicants for this Practical Class pre-pay by paper check or Zelle transfer, $120.   The pre-payment reserves your place (on my roster).  A waiting list will also be used.  

Level 2 Instructor: Applicants for this Practical Class pre-pay by paper check or Zelle transfer, $190.   The pre-payment reserves your place (on my roster).  A waiting list will also be used.  

For Levels 1 and 2, The class fee includes about $80 of take-home materials and gear, such as:  your Level 1 or 2 Instructor and NFAA embroidered shoulder patches, gear for waxing and burnishing bowstrings, measuring calipers, resistance band with a D-loop accessory, shooting loop, instructor's whistle, gear for inspecting bows and arrows, cordage tools, printed resources, and office supplies.   Participants will also receive a comprehensive Archery PDF Library on a USB flash drive, with dozens of practical handouts and source books from USA Archery, the National Field Archery Association, as well as other information authored by Coach Dave.  

 Timely Reply is Essential:  If you are planning on taking one of the positions for the class, contact me right away.  I will let you know if you "have" one of the positions on my roster, or are on the "waiting list."  Those who have not completed the Online Course by Saturday, January 10, 2026 will lose their place to the first person on the waiting list.  Note that my roster is separate from USA Archery's.  USA Archery will not allow you to complete registration with them until after you have completed the Online Class . . . which will likely be in early January, 2026.  But you must register with me now, to reserve one of the positions in the January 17, 2026 Practical Class. 

 Refunds:   Up until noon, Monday, January 12, 2026, a 100% refund will be made to students who do not qualify, or must cancel for other reasons.  Refund will be by the same method as your payment (paper check or Zelle).  If canceling, please contact me in a timely manner, so that the next person on the Waiting list can be notified.

 Contacting the Trainer:  Questions?  Contact Coach Dave by text message or mobile phone at (661) 873-3483.  Email:  [email protected].