This certification allows the facilitator to introduce paddlecraft safety and knowledge to the beginner paddler in a land-based setting. This is a 4-year, non-renewable certification.
If you’re a student who would like resources to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide the Smart Start for Safe Paddling program, which features a comprehensive resource book, student activity workbook, facilitator’s guide, and free online coursework. Page numbers from the resource book are noted beside corresponding content in the outline below for quick reference.
For the free Smart Start for Safe Paddling online safety course, click here. A certificate of completion is included!
General Knowledge Module Duration: Minimum of 4 hours
Discipline Specific Module Duration: Minimum of 1 hour per module
Flat water, protected from wind, waves and outside boat traffic, with current less than 0.5 knots and within swimming distance of shore.
12 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 24 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 24.
This course may be offered by currently certified ACA Level 3 or higher Instructors. Additionally, this course may be offered by currently certified ACA Level 1 and 2 instructors with a Paddlesports Safety Facilitator Endorsement. If the ACA Instructor would like to offer the PSF course in another discipline (other than which they are currently certified), they must have, at minimum, an ACA Level 1 Skills Assessment in that additional discipline to offer that module.
Endorsements can be given by any currently certified ACA Level 1 (or higher) Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator. If the ACA Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator would like to offer the PSF endorsement to an instructor certified in a different discipline, the IT or ITE must have, at minimum, an ACA Level 1 Skills Assessment in that discipline.
Level 1: Intro to Kayaking, Canoeing, SUP, or Packrafting Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course
Community Paddlesports Leader (CPL) Certification Course
Paddlesports Leader (PL) Certification Course
The following is a list of the criteria used to evaluate Paddlesports Safety Facilitator (PSF) Candidates. The content and sequence of evaluation is to be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location, time allowance, and be craft appropriate.