Course Overview

Designed for currently certified ACA River Kayak Instructors (ACA Level 2  or higher), the River Kayak Hand-Paddling Endorsement course provides instructors with the knowledge and skills for instruction on the safe and effective use of hand-paddles. Per the ACA, “By taking and passing the specified course, a certified ACA Instructor can become  endorsed to teach additional, specialized courses.”

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 2: Essentials of River Kayaking Instructor (or higher) in good standing

Course Duration

Minimum of one day (8 hours) or more.

Course Location / Accessible Venues

Course should be conducted on moving water venues in accordance with the level of certification held by the candidate.

A rapid class includes rapids at the lower and upper ends of the difficulty range, designated “-“ and “+”  respectively.

Course Size

For Level 2 and 3: 6 Endorsement Candidates : 1 Endorsed Instructor Trainer; with an additional endorsed instructor or qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 10.

For Levels 4 and 5: 5 Endorsement Candidates : 1 Endorsed Instructor Trainer; with an additional endorsed instructor or qualified assistant, the ratio can be 10 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 10.

Instructor Trainer

This endorsement course may be offered by:

• Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking (or higher) Instructor Trainer with the River Kayak Hand-Paddling Endorsement
• Level 2 or 3: River Kayaking Instructor Trainers with the River Kayak Hand-Paddling Endorsement AND the Kayak Rolling Endorsement

All Instructor Trainers must operate within the venue corresponding to their level of IT certification.