Course Overview

We expect Paddlesports Safety Facilitators (PSF) to be able to effectively maneuver their craft and demonstrate competent rescue techniques. This certification allows the facilitator to introduce paddlecraft safety and knowledge to the beginner paddler in a land-based setting. This module is to be taught in conjunction with the Paddlesports Safety Facilitator General Knowledge Module. This is a 4-year, non-renewable certification.

If you’re a student who would like a resource to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide a free online paddling safety course, here. A certificate of completion is included!

Course Prerequisites

Course Duration

General Knowledge Module Duration: Minimum of 4 hours

Discipline Specific Module Duration: Minimum of 1 hour per module

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Flat water, protected from wind, waves and outside boat traffic, with current less than 0.5 knots and within swimming distance of shore.

Course Size

12 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 24 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 24.

Instructor

The PSF course may be offered by ACA Level 3 (or higher) SUP Instructors, Instructor Trainers, or Instructor Trainer Educators. Additionally, this course may be offered by currently certified ACA Level 1 and 2 instructors who hold the Paddlesports Safety Facilitator (PSF) Endorsement. If the ACA Instructor would like to offer PSF module(s) in the other disciplines of canoe or kayak (other than which they are currently certified), they must hold an ACA Level 1 Skills Assessment (or higher) in that additional discipline to offer that module.

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

Certification Maintenance Requirements

ACA Paddlesports Safety Facilitator (PSF) - SUP Module Requirements

Demonstrate the following:

Demonstrate the ability to perform the following safety and rescue skills: