The first 2 courses in the River Kayaking Curriculum depend upon your preferences of kayak, your choices of waterway, and your pace of learning.
The subsequent courses are meant to augment these core courses. As a newcomer to this program, focus on the first courses and examine the details of gear, recommended destinations, and time involved. These foundation courses are key to progessing to more techincal paddling and are recommended as a pre-requisite for Levels 4 & 5.
Essentials of River Kayaking: Level 2 is designed to give the student the necessary tools needed to travel down a moving river (up to Class I) from point A to point B. They will be presented with information on river hazards and features, strokes and basic skills such as catching a large eddy, doing a gentle ferry, Great for camps, groups or individuals that want to do day trips down easy moving water rivers up to Class I. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to the ACA Whitewater Kayaking course, depending on interest and hull type.
River Kayaking: Level 3 is designed to build on the tools needed to travel down a moving river (up to Class I) presented in teh Essentials course, including more emphasis on safety & rescue in class I rivers. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills would proceed to the ACA Whitewater Kayaking course, depending on interest and hull type.
Whitewater Kayaking: Level 4 The ACA Whitewater Kayak Course is a two-day (16 hour) program emphasizing safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition for entry-level through intermediate individuals in public, private and commercial settings. Instruction takes place on flatwater and rivers up to Class II whitewater. Designed as a stand-alone course, students desiring more intensive skills development would proceed to Advanced Whitewater Kayak, depending on interest and ability.
Advanced Whiteweater Kayaking: Level 5 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. This course should only be taken by those with a reliable river roll and self rescue skills. Completion of a whitewater course and proficiency and experience in executing all strokes, maneuvers and techniques needed for paddling on class III whitewater and a reliable roll and the ability to aggressively self rescue are required prerequisites. Additional participation in a Swiftwater rescue course is strongly recommended.
Kayak Rolling is a 2-6-hour course that is designed to by used with river and sea kayak hard shell, closed-deck designs. Students will learn the fundamental components of the roll and improve their bracing skills.
River Kayak Assessments
River Kayak Day-Trip Leading Assessment is intended to provide the minimum skills and training necessary for an adult leader possessing basic paddling skills to lead a trip for participants with beginner level paddling skills. The emphasis of this course is trip leading, safety education and rescue, not paddling instruction. The content is relevant for clubs, camps, scouts and other entities providing trips. This is an Assessment Course with a written Examination. Those desiring certification to teach kayak paddling should get ACA Instructor Certifications.
Become an ACA Instructor
ACA River Kayaking Instructor Certifications are awarded at five levels:
Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking (not discipline specific)
Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking
Level 3: River Kayaking
Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking
Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking
Each level requires a more advanced understanding of:
safety awareness
general technical knowledge
paddling skills
teaching skills
Each level requires:
Completion of a course of instruction at the same skill level or higher
Successful completion of an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW)
Successful completion of an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE)
The purpose of the IDW is to help instructor candidates learn how to effectively teach safety and canoeing skills.
The purpose of the ICE is to evaluate the candidate in each of the above areas.
(For more information on IDWs and ICEs see "Instructor Criteria" and contact the Instructor Trainer / Educator of the course you are considering)
River Kayaking Curriculum Overview
For specific River Kayaking Instructor Criteria, please click the INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES link at the bottom of the page.
River Kayak Instructor Endorsements
Adaptive Paddling
Other Links
Instructor Resources
