ACA Certification Courses
ACA Kayak Instruction Certification Course
$650
This intensive course is for those looking to develop their personal paddling skills and become a certified whitewater kayak instructor. The 40+ hour course is focused on the latest technical knowledge, terminology, teaching skills, personal paddling skills, and safety awareness in a swiftwater teaching environment.
This course helps you work on personal and interpersonal development and pushes you to build skills and knowledge through peer feedback, video analysis, and lectures. We combine practical on-water demonstrations and presentations with real-world scenarios that will equip you to deal with teaching this multifaceted sport as a professional. This course sets the industry standard for instruction in paddle sports.
The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents students with the skills and knowledge that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, and knowledge necessary for certification.
COURSE VENUES
River (Class II & III), Flatwater, and Indoor Pool
THIS COURSE WILL COVER
• Introduction to Kayak (Level 1)
• Basic River Kayak (Level 2)
• Essentials to River Kayaking(Level 3)
• Whitewater Kayaking (Level 4)
INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
Dave Bumgarner
RESOURCES
ACA Instructor Criteria
DATES + LOCATIONS
April 28-May 2, 2025 (Mon-Fri) - Durango, CO (Course is being run through 4-CRS) https://www.riversports.com/
May 19-23, 2025 (Mon-Fri)
Gunnison, CO
TO CERTIFY, YOU MUST…
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be or become a member of the ACA
• Become a member of the Safety, Education, and Instruction (SEI) Committee
• Successfully complete the course (requires: attendance at every session, completed course work, and paddling tests)
ACA Kayak Instructor Update/Upgrade
$300
This course is for those who are already certified as an ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor but need to complete an update course to maintain and renew their certification. You will need to complete a 2-day instructor update every 4 years as one of your instructor requirements. This may also be a good time to bump up your certification level.
DATES
Any 2 days of the full instructor course
April 28-May 2, 2025 (Mon-Fri) - Durango, CO (Course is being run through 4-CRS) https://www.riversports.com/
May 19-23, 2025 (Mon-Fri)
Gunnison, CO
INCLUDED
Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors
Renewal or Upgrade of ACA 1-4 Kayak Instructor Certification pending successful completion
ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification Course
$650
Want to teach others how to deal with rescues on the river? This intensive course is for experienced boaters and rescuers who want to become certified swiftwater rescue instructors. Instructor Candidates will learn industry standards for teaching Swiftwater Rescue and are assessed throughout the course on teaching skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, and group management skills.
This course helps you work on personal and interpersonal development and pushes you to build skills and knowledge through peer feedback, scenario development, and lectures. We combine practical on-water demonstrations and presentations with real-world scenarios that will equip you to deal with teaching this multifaceted discipline as a professional. This course sets the industry standard for instruction in swiftwater rescue.
The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents students with the skills and knowledge that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, and knowledge necessary for certification.
The American Canoe Association is the governing body for this swiftwater rescue instructor course. For more information on becoming an ACA Certified Instructor, visit www.americancanoe.org.
INCLUDED
ACA Swiftwater Instructor Training Workshop
ACA 2-4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification pending successful completion of workshop
INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
Dave Bumgarner
RESOURCES
ACA Instructor Criteria
DATES
May 13-16, 2025 (Tues – Fri)
Gunnison, CO
PREREQUISITES
18 years of age or older
Previous participation in an ACA L4 or equivalent Swiftwater Rescue Course
Must be an ACA member: become a MEMBER
Once certified as an instructor you must pay your ACA Safety Education & Instruction Committee (SEIC) dues to hold any level of Instructor Certification.
ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Update/Upgrade
$300
This course is for those who are already certified as an ACA Swiftwater Instructor, but need to complete an update course to maintain and renew their certification. You will need to complete a 2-Day Instructor update every 4 years as one of your instructor requirements. This may also be a good time to bump up your level of certification.
DATES
Any 2 days of the full instructor course
May 13-, 2025 (Tues – Fri)
Gunnison, CO
INCLUDED
Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors
Renewal or Upgrade of ACA 2-4 Swiftwater Instructor Certification pending successful completion
ACA Whitewater Packraft Instructor Certification Course
$650
Want to become an ACA Certified Packraft Instructor? This course is focused on the latest technical knowledge, terminology, teaching skills, personal paddling skills, and safety awareness in a swiftwater teaching environment.
This course helps you work on personal and interpersonal development and pushes you to build skills and knowledge through peer feedback, video analysis, and lectures. We combine practical on-water demonstrations and presentations with real-world scenarios that will equip you to deal with teaching this multifaceted sport as a professional. This course sets the industry standard for instruction in paddle sports.
The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents students with the skills and knowledge that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, and knowledge necessary for certification.
THIS COURSE WILL COVER
Introduction to Packrafting (level 1)
Essentials of River Packrafting (Level 2
River Packrafting (Level 3) Whitewater Packrafting (Level 4)
INSTRUCTOR TRAINER
Dave Bumgarner
DATES
June 24-27, 2025 (Tues-Fri) - Cody, WY
August 25-28, 2025 (Mon-Thurs) - Gunnison, CO
TO CERTIFY, YOU MUST…
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be or become a member of the ACA
• Become a member of the Safety, Education, and Instruction (SEI) Committee
• Successfully complete the course (requires: attendance at every session and completed homework, and paddling & rescue tests)
COURSE VENUES
Flatwater & River sections (Class II-III)
RESOURCES
ACA Instructor Criteria
