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

• 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
• Completion of the appropriate level skills course, assessment course, or possess equivalent skills
• Be a currently certified ACA Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking Instructor
• Have taught and successfully reported at least two Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking skills or assessment courses
• Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue skills or assessment course (or higher)
• Given the common remoteness of this course venue, Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification is strongly suggested

Course Duration

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

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Sections of rivers rated class III-IV, in rapids where precise 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

3 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 6 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 6.

For additional details, see SEIC Policy Manual Chapter 6.

Instructor Trainer

This certification course may be offered by Level 5: Whitewater Kayaking ACA Instructor Trainers or Instructor Trainer Educators.

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 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Requirements

Characteristics of an ACA Level 5 Instructor:

• Complete self-control within the course venue, superlative judgment, and excellent group management skills
• Capable of taking every advanced technique apart and only teaching the next phase of a skill as the previous skill progression is mastered
• Is a mentor as well as a teacher; they show a culture, style, and attitude of being on the water more than the specific techniques
• Possesses supreme awareness of the moment, the place, and the responsibility for one's self and the group
• Has a finely honed sense to minimize risks, is highly competent in rescue skills, and possess wise judgment to assess situations and initiate the best rescue response

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 ability to effectively teach and model these paddling strokes and maneuvers:

• Advanced forward paddling techniques and variation, including weighting the kayak (advanced edging)
• Reverse paddling moves and variation, including weighting the kayak