Revised 3.1.2025

This policy manual contains the official policies of the American Canoe Association’s Safety Education and Instruction Council (SEIC).

This Manual and SEIC Policies can be amended or revised as needed to meet the needs of the ACA and the SEIC. Changes must be approved by majority vote of the SEIC at an official SEIC meeting. All such changes shall be documented and published as dated addenda to this document. Only verbatim referenced quotes of these official policies may be used elsewhere as SEIC policy statements.

Policies, course outlines, insurance documents, and all other SEIC documents shall be considered in force after approval by the SEIC and subsequent publication on the ACA website.

Waivers for exceptions to SEIC policy must be made in writing to the Safety Education and Instruction Department (SEI) at the ACA National Office: https://americancanoe.org/seic.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - ACA Instructional Policies

1. The ACA is committed to an educational environment that supports all individuals with respect and dignity. ACA Instructor Trainer Educators, Instructor Trainers, Instructors, and students are expected to conduct themselves in such a way that creates an environment where all participants feel welcome, thrive, and learn. Harassment due to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or other protected characteristics will not be tolerated. Conduct that is detrimental to the mental or physical wellbeing of a student or class will not be tolerated. Such harassment and/or conduct could result in loss of certification.

2. The ACA authorizes certified Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators the use of the ACA logo and marks with the following qualifications.

   1. ACA membership and SEIC registration must be in effect at the time of logo use. Should ACA membership or SEIC registration lapse, use of logo and marks is suspended and all printed materials must be destroyed regardless of quantity. Continued use of ACA logo and marks will be considered fraudulent.
   2. Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators may identify themselves as ACA certified. Their organization, employer, host, or sponsor may not claim to be “ACA certified” without an express written contract in force with the ACA National Office.
   3. Any use of the ACA logo and marks comes under the authority of the ACA’s acceptable use policy. The ACA reserves the right to selectively withdraw individual use in any portrayal of the ACA name, logo and marks that, in the sole opinion of the ACA, is of an offensive, inappropriate, or unwholesome nature.

3. Use of the ACA’s instructional insurance program requires:

   1. Current ACA Instructor, Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator certification
   2. Current ACA membership and SEIC registration
   3. Current first aid and age appropriate CPR
   4. Use of the current unaltered ACA Waiver and Release of Liability

   This waiver must be signed and dated by each participant prior to the start of the ACA insured instructional program, and a digital copy of the signed waiver must be submitted to the ACA as part of approved course reporting procedures.

4. ACA courses are open to all individuals who satisfy the Essential Eligibility Criteria published on the ACA website.

5. SEIC business is conducted via electronic communication. All Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators must have access to a valid email address and use the Course Management System (CMS) for the submission of all course documentation, i.e., registration, reporting, insurance requests, etc.

Chapter 2 - ACA Instructors

1. Duties:

   ACA Instructors teach paddling skills using approved methods and techniques, after qualifying in various disciplines. Specific skills within an instructor’s scope of practice are identified in appropriate course outlines. ACA Instructors are expected to represent and promote the ACA in a positive manner. ACA Instructors may issue participation cards to students and in some cases may perform skill assessments. Instructors may not certify other instructors.

2. Selection Criteria:

   1. Instructor candidates shall be at least 18 years old.
   2. Instructors must maintain ACA membership and SEIC registration. Full ACA membership is required for participation in an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW). SEIC registration is required upon successful completion of an Instructor Certification Examination (ICE).
   3. Instructors shall satisfy the appropriate Essential Eligibility Criteria.
   4. Demonstrate the following criteria:
      1. Knowledge of and advocacy for paddlesports, the ACA, and SEIC with representation in positive manner
      2. Understand the importance of and practice the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      3. General knowledge of the purpose and significance of the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria
      4. Promote safe, effective, and efficient practices
      5. Selection of appropriate teaching venue based on ability and desired outcomes
      6. Organizational skills including time management
      7. Consistent CMS application and course documentation
      8. Clear, objective, and consistent evaluation skills
      9. Act with integrity
      10. Student centered learning, providing differentiated teaching for individual learning
      11. Debriefing and reflective skills to facilitate learning experiences
      12. Awareness and utilization of educational resources (i.e., student pre-course communications, informational packets, props, etc.)
      13. Utilizes a variety of current educational best practices and teaching theory
      14. Positive interpersonal skills to include:
          1. Solution oriented
          2. Active listening
          3. Self-awareness and self-assessment
          4. Collaboration and adaptability
          5. Empathy and compassion
          6. Humility and vulnerability
          7. Encouraging and enabling creativity
          8. Ability to hold boundaries

3. Instructor Certification Process:

   1. Successfully complete an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE), or an Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) at the appropriate level. IDWs, ICEs, and ICWs are taught by Instructor Trainers (ITs) or Instructor Trainer Educators (ITEs). IDW,ICEs, and ICWs may be held as formal classes.

      1. Alternatively, ITs, and ITEs may mentor individual Instructor Candidates by co-teaching a minimum of three courses with a single candidate. All three courses must be at the desired level of certification and all aspects of an IDW and ICE must be appropriately covered and documented, using forms provided by the SEI Department. Only one Instructor Candidate may be mentored during any one skills course.

   2. Demonstrate paddling, teaching, interpersonal, safety and group management skills, knowledge of paddlesports, and knowledge of ACA curriculum and procedures, appropriate to the level of certification.

   3. IDW/ICE or ICW participation does not guarantee certification. An Instructor Candidate may be certified, or may be asked to complete additional activities, up to and including re-taking the IDW/ICE, or ICW.

   4. If an Instructor Candidate is not certified at a specific level, they may be “continued.” Continued candidates have specific deficiencies that need to be addressed prior to certification. These may include specific paddling, modeling, teaching, leadership or organizational skills or can be due to age requirements.

      1. Specific deficiencies and suggested corrective actions must be reported, in writing, to the Instructor Candidate and the SEI Department in the Course Management System (CMS). This report must accompany the certification course report in CMS.
      2. To complete their certification process, continued Instructor Candidates may submit a deficiency list and demonstrate proficiency to an appropriately certified IT/ITE within four years of their ICE or ICW. The expiration of a certification earned under this process will be December 31 of the fourth full year from participation in the initial ICE/ICW.

   5. ITs or ITEs may award instructors status at differing levels of certification. A candidate continued at a higher level should be awarded a lower level of certification when such certification is earned.

      Example 1: A candidate might be certified as a Level 1: Introduction to Canoeing Instructor and be continued at Level 2: Essentials of Canoe Touring.

      Example 2: A candidate might be certified as a Level 3: River Kayak Instructor and continued as a Level 4: Whitewater Kayak Instructor.

   6. Successful completion of the certification process must be reported in writing to the SEI Department in CMS by the facilitating IT/ITE within thirty days of the Instructor Candidates’ demonstration of proficiency.

   7. Currently certified ACA Instructors may certify at or below their current certification level in an additional discipline by participating in an appropriate ICE or ICW. Prior to participation in the ICE or ICW, the Instructor Candidate must obtain permission from the facilitating IT/ITE. The facilitating IT/ITE may grant permission on a case by case basis and may require training in addition to the ICE or ICW. The Instructor Candidate must meet all appropriate performance objectives required for certification. Participation in an ICE or ICW does not guarantee certification.

      Example: A currently certified Level 3: River Kayak Instructor can obtain Level 3: certification in coastal kayaking by completing a Level 3: Coastal Kayak ICE. To obtain Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayak certification, the same instructor would need to complete a Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayak IDW and ICE.

   8. Currently certified ACA Instructors may seek an upgrade in their discipline by participating in an ICE or ICW or after appropriate review by an ACA IT or ITE in their discipline. Instructors seeking such an upgrade must meet all appropriate performance criteria. ITs or ITEs conducting such reviews must provide documentation using forms provided by the SEI Department.

      Example: A currently certified Level 3: River Kayak Instructor may be upgraded to Level 4: Whitewater Kayak Instructor after appropriate evaluation by a Level 4: Whitewater Kayak IT or ITE.

   9. ACA Instructors are required to maintain venue appropriate first aid and age appropriate CPR training from a nationally recognized first aid and CPR provider throughout the term of their ACA Instructor certification. First aid and CPR courses must include hands-on practice and skills demonstration. If an Instructor’s first aid or age appropriate CPR certification expires during the period of their ACA certification, the ACA certification is no longer valid. Instructors whose certifications are not valid are not eligible for ACA insurance coverage. (see Appendix II for comprehensive information).

   10. An instructor certified by another agency (e.g., American Red Cross, British Canoe Union, etc.) may present their current credentials in lieu of IDW participation, and then receive ACA certification by completing an appropriate ICE. The SEI Department shall be contacted to determine certification equivalents. Certification equivalents will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Candidates pursuing this certification pathway shall follow the guidelines below.

       1. The instructor must join the ACA prior to participating in the ICE.
       2. The instructor must hold current certification from the other agency at the time of the ICE.
       3. The instructor must gain permission from the facilitating IT or ITE before the ICE. The facilitating IT or ITE is not required to grant such permission.
       4. The instructor must successfully complete the ICE and meet all appropriate standards for certification
       5. SEIC registration is required upon successful completion of an ICE.
       6. After successfully completing the ICE, the ACA Instructor will hold certification valid through December 31 of the fourth full year following the ICE.

4. Maintenance of Instructor Certification:

   1. Certification is valid through December 31 of the fourth full year following certification. To maintain certification, Instructors must complete the following within each four-year certification period:

   2. Maintain annual ACA membership and SEIC registration. If ACA membership and/or SEIC dues lapsed at any point during the certification period, back dues must be paid in order to renew and maintain certification.

   3. Successfully complete an Instructor Update during the certification period. Three options for updating are available:

      1. Instructors may complete a formal “Instructor Update” course in the appropriate discipline, at their highest level of certification.
      2. An Instructor may take or co-teach an IDW, ICE, or ICW in their discipline and at the appropriate level, and the supervising IT or ITE may report it as an Instructor.
      3. An Instructor may co-teach a skills course, at their highest level of certification, with a supervising IT or The instructor then must complete a review of current ACA Policies and Procedures under the direction of the supervising IT or ITE.

      Options ii and iii require advance permission from the facilitating IT/ITE. IT/ITEs may grant or deny such permission on a case by case basis. Updates must include a review of ACA policies and procedures.

   4. Instructor **Updates serve as opportunities to share teaching ideas, to describe changes in ACA policy, and to periodically assess instructor skills. During Instructor Updates, Instructors will be expected to demonstrate key skills appropriate to their level of certification, as determined by the SEIC, the SEI Department, and the IT or ITE leading the Update. Instructors who are unable to demonstrate skills appropriate to their level of certification may be asked to complete additional corrective training or have their certification challenged (Chapter 5.3).

   5. Instructors must teach and properly report two classes every four years. At least one class should be at their highest level of certification.

   6. Each certification must be maintained by participation in an Instructor Update as appropriate for the discipline and level of certification. Instructors certified in multiple disciplines must update each certification.

   7. Instructor Updates may be conducted individually or in groups less than the IDW/ICE minimums. ITs are strongly encouraged to place Instructor Update notification on the ACA website in advance to maximize opportunities for Instructors to meet this maintenance requirement.

   8. Exceptions to maintenance requirements may be requested in writing to the SEI Department.

Chapter 3 - ACA Instructor Trainers

1. Duties: