American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification
American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification workshops are designed for kayakers and canoeists who want to teach flatwater, moving water, or whitewater kayaking or canoeing.
Our highly experienced ACA Instructor Trainers present the most up-to-date teaching and paddling techniques. Each ACA Instructor Certification course has two parts: an Instructor Development Workshop, in which the Instructor Trainer presents teaching techniques and works to improve the paddling skills of aspiring instructors; and an Instructor Certification Workshop, in which the aspiring instructors teach a mock flatwater, moving water, or whitewater course.
Certification in any of these courses is based on both paddling and teaching skills and is not guaranteed at any level. These courses are only for intermediate to advanced kayakers or canoeists with some teaching experience.
We also offer a 5-day ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor's course. The American Canoe Association Safety and Rescue program offers instructor certification at 3 levels - Essentials of River Safety and Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, and Advanced Swiftwater Rescue. Each level requires a progressively greater understanding of swiftwater rescue concepts, as well as an ability to teach and execute those concepts in progressively more difficult rapids.
We also offering the following ACA Instructor Certification courses at Camp Kabeyun in Alton, NH:
In addition we are offering a 1-day Swiftwater Rescue Skills Course at Camp Kabeyun on June 10. This course is a great introduction to basic river rescue skills for any river user. To register for any of the above dates, contact please contact Camp Kabeyun directly.
Upon registration for one of these courses, you will be sent detailed information about what will be expected of you and how to prepare, but below are some general guidelines to get you started. ACA's website also has a wealth of useful information about becoming an instructor.
Prerequisites:
A good instructor proficiently demonstrates good paddling skills, uses
memorable instruction techniques, exercises safe judgment and keeps it
fun for everyone involved. This course is designed for individuals who
have prior paddling [&] teaching experience. You should not take this
course if you are new to paddlesports. For more specific certification
criteria, please see ACA's website.
A good instructor proficiently demonstrates good paddling skills, uses memorable instruction techniques, exercises safe judgment and keeps it fun for everyone involved. This course is designed for individuals who have prior paddling [&] teaching experience. You should not take this course if you are new to paddlesports. For more specific certification criteria, look at the ACA website, www.americancanoe.org.
Course Structure
The instructor certification process is divided into 2 sections: the Instructor Development Workshop and the Instructor Certification Exam. You are required to attend both sections in order to fulfill the time requirements for your certification.
Instructor Development Workshop - (First half of course)
- we illustrate teaching techniques
- we analyze your paddling skills
- you compare styles of teaching and learning
- you teach student and instructor level topics
- you review your moving water and whitewater skills
- you self-evaluate your work
- you receive our progress evaluation
Instructor Certification Exam - (Last half of course)
- you (as a team) teach a beginner moving program
- you lead us all on a safe, informative and rewarding whitewater trip
- you demonstrate your paddling skills
- we provide feedback on your instructor skills
- you demonstrate competent group management [[&]] rescue skills
- you evaluate each other's work
- we evaluate you and decide on certification levels
Certification Levels
When you take the Instructor Certification Exam, please be aware that participation does not guarantee certification. You will be evaluated on your teaching and paddling ability and your technical knowledge of the sport. Certified candidates teach at the levels listed below. Certification can be at any of the levels, or not at all. Please read and understand the certification requirements which can be found on the ACA website.
Level 1 - Introduction to Kayak or Canoe
This course is ideal for the camp leader or outfitter who leads trips or gives basic safety instruction on a lake or other flatwater site. The candidates must show competence in leadership and group management but do not need to show top-notch teaching or modeling skills.
Level 2 - Essentials of River Kayak or River Canoe
This course is a skill-based program ideal for the camp leader or outfitter who leads trips or gives basic safety instruction on a moving water site. Not only do candidates need to show leadership and group management skills they must also model paddling strokes and show they can teach effectively in class I water and paddle class II.
Level 3 – River Kayak or River Canoe
This course is designed to build on the tools needed to travel down a moving river (up to Class I/II) presented in the Essentials course, including more emphasis on safety [&] rescue, paddling skills and teaching. Candidates must be comfortable paddling and performing rescues on class II as well as be able to perform a reliable roll.
Level 4 - Whitewater Canoe or Kayak
This course is a skill-based program. Not only do candidates need to show leadership and group management skills they must also model paddling strokes and show they can teach effectively in class II/II water and paddle comfortably class III. Whitewater candidates must have a combat roll in course conditions and be able to teach the kayak roll effectively.
Level 5 – Advanced Whitewater Canoe or Kayak
Is designed to refine and extend the judgment and technique of intermediate paddlers on class III to IV whitewater. This course is not to be taught on water of greater difficulty than class IV. Participants will be introduced to advanced techniques including boat control, playboating and river running as appropriate to the site. This course will use on-the-water scenarios to assess risk, evaluate rapid features and complexities, develop strategies, and nurture good judgment. Course will emphasize use of proactive, aggressive rescue skills stressing self reliance. Prerequisite: Level 4 certification for two years.
