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. If you’re a student who would like a resource to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide a free online paddling safety course, here. A certificate of completion is included! This course is appropriate for all packrafts including traditional decked, non-decked, and self-bailing vessels. The evaluating Instructor, Instructor Trainer, or Instructor Trainer Educator must conduct the course from a packraft.
To adequately perform the required maneuvers of this course venue, thigh straps are strongly encouraged.
Two days (16 hours) minimum
Moving water on rivers up to and including class I sections.
A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+” respectively.
5 Participants: 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 10.
This assessment course may be offered by Level 2: Essentials of River Packrafting (or higher) ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators.
The sequence of assessment should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location, time allowance, and craft being used. Participants must be able to perform all strokes, maneuvers, rescues, and skills in the appropriate venue. In addition, the participant must demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge for this level of skill assessment.