Certification Course Overview
Fundamentally, participants are expected to have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills commensurate with this level of certification prior to presenting themselves for evaluation as Instructor Candidates at an Instructor Certification Course (IDW, ICE, or ICW).
Note: These criteria may be used for both spray skirted kayaks, as well as non-spray skirted kayaks. Criteria/skills not applicable to non-spray skirted kayaks are followed by the notation: *
Bulkheads are not required, however, some form of flotation must be present to keep the kayak from sinking.
Course Prerequisites
Course Duration
Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - minimum 3 days (24 hours).
Course Location / Accessible Venues
Moving water on rivers rated up to and including class I.
A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+” respectively.
Course Size
5 Instructor Candidates : 1 Instructor Trainer; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of instructor candidates permitted is 10.
For additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 6.
Instructor Trainer
This certification course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking (or higher) ACA Instructor Trainers or Instructor Trainer Educators.
Succeeding Courses
- Level 3: River Kayaking Skills, Assessment, Trip Leader, or Certification Course
Note: The use of non-spray skirted kayaks in conditions above Level 2 is not appropriate.
General Requirements for all ACA Certification Candidates
- Be at least 18 years old
- Demonstrate a general knowledge of paddlesports and the ACA
- Demonstrate a general knowledge of ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC), ACA Code of Conduct, and ACA’s Equity and Access Initiatives
- Successfully complete an Instructor Certification Workshop (combined ICW or IDW and ICE)
- Upon successful completion, register with the Safety Education and Instruction Council
- Have and maintain venue-appropriate first aid and age-appropriate CPR
- Demonstrate the ability to appropriately perform, model, and teach all of the following material, unassisted, in the appropriate venue
- Demonstrate the ability to appropriately perform, model, and teach all of the material contained within the official ACA skills course and assessment course outlines corresponding to their level of certification and all levels below, if applicable
Certification Maintenance Requirements
- Teach a minimum of two courses that meet ACA standards within the four-year certification period and properly report the courses using the ACA Course Management System (CMS). At least one course must be at their highest level of certification
- Complete an Instructor Update, at the highest level of certification, during the four-year certification period
- Maintain ACA membership and SEIC registration annually
- Maintain appropriate CPR and first aid certification for the duration of certification
ACA Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor Requirements
Demonstrate a knowledge of ACA administrative processes:
- How to register and report a course (with and without insurance)
- An understanding of the ACA Waiver and Release of Liability
- Familiarity with the ACA website and the resources and SEIC policies available
Demonstrate a knowledge of and appropriately model teaching and learning theory:
- Understand multiple methods of teaching and how they impact different learners
- Differentiate instruction targeting different learners
- Use effective teaching methods including appropriate skills progressions when teaching complex skill sets
- Present information effectively, both prepared and impromptu
- Focus on core principles rather than specific techniques
- Effective methods of providing feedback
Demonstrate the following:
- Positive interpersonal skills to include all items outlined in the ACA SEIC Policy Manual
- Appropriate group management skills including leadership and judgment
- Ability to choose an appropriate venue / class site
- Effectively make documented skill assessments
Demonstrate ability to paddle efficiently and comfortably in venue utilizing:
- Boat stability (trim, stance, etc.)
- Safe and effective body usage: biomechanics (body, posture, linkage, and rotation)
- Efficient and effective paddle placement for intended maneuver
- Parts of strokes: CPR (catch, power, recovery), static and dynamic
Demonstrate the ability to teach and model the basic kayak paddle strokes and maneuvers effectively:
- Forward stroke, to propel the kayak straight forward
- Reverse/back stroke, to stop and reverse straight backward
- Forward and reverse sweeps, to turn and/or spin the kayak