Basic River Instructor

Basic River instructor candidates must have solid flatwater skills and knowledge and experience on moving water. Teaching experience is preferred.

Whitewater Instructor

Whitewater instructor candidates must have solid flatwater and moving water skills and knowledge and experience on whitewater (class III). Teaching experience required.

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 listed below. For more specific criteria please see ACA's website.

Introduction to Kayak or Canoe (IC or IK) - Minimum of 16 hours for certification

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.

Basic River Kayak or Basic River Canoe (BR) - Minimum of 24 hours for certification

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.

Whitewater (WW) - Canoe or Kayak - Minimum of 32 hours for certification

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 water and paddle class III.