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).

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to teach across the full curriculum; during the development workshop and certification exam this will be assessed through at least two presentations in each category (one prepared, one impromptu), from which overall teaching competence will be evaluated.

Candidates are highly encouraged to use the Skills Assessment and Guide document for preparation and clarification on all required skills necessary for successful completion of a certification course. All candidates must be able to perform, role model, teach and troubleshoot all skills in the document to pass the certification exam.

Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC).
• Be a current ACA member.
• Understands and acts in accordance with ACA's Code of Conduct.
• Effective October 1, 2026, all instructor candidates in the River Kayak Discipline seeking certification at Levels 3–5 must have successfully completed and provide documentation of the corresponding ACA River Kayak Skills Award (L3–L5) prior to being admitted into an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) or Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
• Effective October 1, 2026, new instructor candidates in the River Kayak Discipline will be eligible for certification at Level 3 (L3) as the highest entry level for initial instructor certification. Candidates seeking Level 4 (L4) certification must first:
  1. Be a current ACA Level 3: Kayaking Instructor in good standing, having taught and reported at least two Level 3: River Kayaking skills or assessment courses.
  2. Have successfully completed and provide documentation of an ACA Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking Skills Award.
  3. CPR and Basic First Aid certifications are required; Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is strongly encouraged.
  4. Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue (or higher) skills or assessment course is highly encouraged.

Course Duration

Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - minimum 5 days (40 hours).

Effective October 1, 2026: Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - minimum 2 days (20 hours, up to 4 hours can be virtual).

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Sections of rivers rated up to and including class II-III, where maneuvering in current is required to avoid obstacles.

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 4: Whitewater Kayaking (or higher) ACA Instructor Trainers or Instructor Trainer Educators.

Succeeding Courses

• Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking 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

ACA Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Requirements