Date: August 2022

The Paddlesports Angler Endorsement is available to ACA Level 1 (or higher) instructors, trainers, and educators within the disciplines of river kayaking, coastal kayaking, and stand up paddleboarding (SUP).

To efficiently and realistically roll out the new Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement course curriculum and endorsement criteria, the ACA Paddlesports Angler Workgroup is recommending the following:

Currently Certified ACA Instructors, Trainers & Educators who wish to obtain the endorsement:

  1. Through the completion of a Paddlesports Angler Endorsement course conducted by an ACA Level 1 (or higher) Instructor Trainer (IT) or Instructor Trainer Educator (ITE) holding the endorsement or via an ACA IT or ITE.
  2. Through the completion of a Paddlesports Angler Endorsement course conducted by an ACA Level 1 (or higher) Instructor Trainer (IT) or Instructor Trainer Educator (ITE) who co-teaches the endorsement course alongside a current ACA Instructor actively holding the Paddlesports Angler Endorsement.
  3. Currently certified ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators may obtain the Paddlesports Angler Endorsement via this 2-part assessment process (combined 6-9 hours of instruction time):
    1. General fishing knowledge module (3-4 hours): this general module may be delivered either in-person or virtually and is concluded with a written quiz. A quiz score of 80% or higher must be achieved to pass.
    2. Discipline specific skills module (3-5 hours): candidates’ discipline specific angling skills and knowledge must be evaluated in accordance with the published Angler Endorsement criteria. These skills must be evaluated within the chosen discipline’s ACA Level 2 course venue described in the official ACA Skills Course Outlines published on the ACA website.
  4. Currently certified Instructor Trainers (ITs) and Instructor Trainer Educators (ITEs) with prior fishing expertise may submit documentation of their experience for consideration to the Angler Endorsement Advisory Board. If deemed equitable, the Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator may then earn the Angler Endorsement via the completion of personalized virtual coursework. To submit documentation, please use this form on the ACA website.

© American Canoe Association

Date of last revision: 1/1/2023

https://americancanoe.org

This curriculum is managed by the ACA Paddlesports Angler Advisory Board. To connect with the leadership of this group, please view the SEIC Committee rosters on the ACA website.