Level 3: River Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Instructor Criteria

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).

Course Prerequisites

Acknowledgement of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
Be a current ACA Level 2: Essentials of SUP Instructor in good standing
Completion of the appropriate level skills course, assessment course, or equivalent skills
Completion of an ACA Safety & Rescue course for further training on rescue is strongly suggested

Course Duration

Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - minimum 2 days (16 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

4 Participants : 1 Instructor Trainer; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 8 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 8.

Instructor Trainer

This certification course may be offered by Level 3: River SUP (or higher) ACA Instructor Trainers or Instructor Trainer Educators.

Succeeding Courses

Level 4: Whitewater Stand Up Paddleboarding Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course

Complementary Courses

Level 3: Surf Stand Up Paddleboarding Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
Level 3: Coastal Stand Up Paddleboarding Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course

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