- Most Popular Rescue Course
- Class II Rapids
- 14+
- 2 days
This clinic takes a hands-on, in-the-water approach to teaching river rescue and safety skills.
Quick Details
Availability: 2023 Clinic Dates & Prices
Complete an ACA Certification
American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor Certification workshops are designed for individuals who want to teach flatwater, moving water, or whitewater kayaking, canoeing, SUP or swiftwater rescue.
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 those with intermediate to advanced paddling skills with some teaching experience.
We offer ACA Instructor Certification in the disciplines of River Kayak, River Canoe, Swiftwater Rescue, and Stand-Up Paddleboard. The American Canoe Association offers instructor certification at up to five different levels with each level requiring a progressively greater understanding of paddling and rescue concepts, as well as an ability to teach and execute those concepts in progressively more difficult rapids. To get more details about instructor criteria, visit the American Canoe Association.
If you are interested in working in the paddlesport field, the ACA certification is considered “the gold standard” for the industry and paddlesport instructors. For folks interested in employment teaching paddlesports at Zoar Outdoor please check out our employment page. For more information, contact us at 413-339-4010 or [email protected].
More Information
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New Instructors
Instructor candidates must participate in both the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) in order to complete the certification process.
- 3-Day Level 1 Essentials of River Kayak (IDW/ICE)
- September 2 – September 4, 2023
- Includes Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam
- $499/person (plus fees)
- 5-day Level 3-4 Whitewater Kayak (IDW/ICE)
- September 29-October 1 (IDW) & October 7-8 (ICE)
- Includes Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam (can be booked individually, call for details)
- Combined package: $739/person (plus fees)
- 5-day Level 3-4 Whitewater Canoe Solo or Tandem (IDW/ICE)
- October 11-15 (IDW/ICE)
- Includes Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam (can be booked individually, call for details)
- Combined package: $739/person (plus fees)
Swiftwater Rescue
- 5-day Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification with Mike Mather
- October 4-8 2023
- Includes Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam (can be booked individually, call for details)
- $799/person (plus fees)
Instructor Updates for Kayak, Canoe, or Rescue
Updates are open only to those who are presently valid ACA certified instructors to fulfill maintenance requirements.
- 2-day L3-L4 Kayak Instructor Update
- September 16-17 2023
- $396/person (plus fees)
- 2-day L3-L4 Canoe (solo or tandem) Instructor Update
- October 19-20 2023
- $396/person (plus fees)
- 2-day Level 3-5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Update
- October 5-6 2023
- $450/person (plus fees)
- 3-Day Level 1 Essentials of River Kayak (IDW/ICE)
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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 and 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 two 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 (kayak only).
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 kayak candidates must have a combat roll in course conditions and be able to teach the kayak roll effectively.
Level 5 – Advanced Whitewater Kayak
Course Prerequisites: The candidate must be currently certified at level 4 with the ACA and have taught / successfully reported at least two Level 4:
Whitewater Kayaking skills courses or assessments. Completion of an L4 Swiftwater Rescue Course is required.This course 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. The course will emphasize use of proactive, aggressive rescue.
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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.
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.Meals:
We provide a catered picnic-style lunch on all our full day clinics.The following statement is required by state law:
“Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy.” We do not use nuts in our food, but cannot guarantee that the ingredients in our meals do not contain nuts or other food allergens. If you have food allergies or other special dietary needs, we strongly suggest you bring your own bag lunch in non-glass containers and we will pack it with the other lunches on your trip. Please inform our office at 413-339-4010 or [email protected] if you intend to do this.