The ACA’s Paddlesports Guide certification courses equip paddlers with a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge, and approaches for planning and leading multi-day trips in remote coastal or river environments. The certification is part of the ACA’s Leadership and Guide certification program, and it is appropriate for outfitters and guiding operations that require their staff teams to meet quality standards and have a recognized certification. It may be applicable for adventure camps offering multi-day trips, university outdoor programs, or other paddlers and freelance guides in paddlesports who need a broad skill set to plan and run exciting multi-day paddle trips that venture into remote locations.
Paddlesports Guide courses are delivered in one of two different environments to equip participants to lead in each environment - the Coastal Guide course and the River Guide course. These courses are offered in a Guide Certification course format, which includes training and examination. Once certified, Paddlesports Guides may may extend the paddlecraft they guide on by completing the appropriate skills assessment. As a certified Paddlesports Guide, they are able upgrade to an Advanced Paddlesports Guide certification by attaining an L3 or higher skills assessment and successfully completing an Advanced Coastal Guide or Advanced River Guide course, or challenging the exam portion of a course.
Coastal Guide Course:
Those participating in the Coastal Guide course will be equipped to lead in large lake or coastal waters with exposure to wind and waves. Coastal Guide Candidates paddling kayaks, SUPs, and canoes will focus on developing the competencies necessary to lead multi-day trips that may include participants using varying paddlecraft. Upon successful completion of the course, the candidate is certified as a Coastal Guide whose operating conditions are determined by their level of paddlecraft skills assessment, and the size of the group follows the same maximum ratio for Leader Trainers.
River Guide Course:
Those participating in the River Guide course will be equipped to lead with moving water with rapids. River Guide candidates paddling river canoes, kayaks, packrafts, paddle and oar rafts, and SUPs will focus on the competencies necessary to lead multi-day trips and perform essential swiftwater rescue in Class I-II waters. Upon successful completion of the course, the candidate is certified as a River Guide who can operate in conditions established by their level of paddlecraft skills assessment, and the size of the group follows the same maximum ratio for Leader Trainers.