Skills Course Overview

This course is designed as a short program emphasizing safety, enjoyment, and skill development. The skills and knowledge gained through this course can set the stage for a lifetime of exploration, adventures, a healthy lifestyle, appreciation of water and the natural world, lasting memories with family and friends, and a rewarding experience for all - we paddle because it is fun.

Course Objectives

• Understand that planning and prevention are the keys to a safe trip
• Understand how to avoid waterway hazards
• Develop and practice key self rescue skills
• Learn to focus on fast, simple, low-risk rescue techniques
• Develop the skills to manage minor on-water incidents

Skills Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Agree to comply with the ACA Code of Conduct
• No prior paddling experience or training is required to participate in this course

Course Duration

Minimum of a half day (4 hours) or more.

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Flat water, protected from wind, waves, and outside boat traffic, with current less than 0.5 knots, and within swimming distance of shore.

Course Size

5 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2.

Instructor

This course may be offered by Level 1: Introduction to SUP (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators with Paddlesports Angler Endorsement.

Succeeding Courses

• Level 2: Essentials of SUP Fishing Skills Course

Complementary Courses

• Level 1: Introduction to Kayak Fishing Skills Course
• Level 2: Essentials of Coastal Kayak Fishing Skills Course