Apply for an Instructor Training or Certification Scholarship!

We are so grateful to our sponsors who donate to this program to help Georgia Rivers increase access to safety and paddling skills training in Georgia with the goal of increasing diversity among the certified paddlesports instructors in Georgia. There are three distinct scholarship opportunities available:

Blue Heron Scholarship for ACA Instructor Certification Workshop Tuition for New Instructor Candidates
Soaring to Greatness!

• Value: $400
• The Blue Heron Scholarship is a formal scholarship which covers the cost of tuition for the instructor certification class weekend. Instructor Candidates are independently responsible to cover their required ACA membership dues, SEIC dues, first aid and CPR certification, and any personal expenses during the certification weekend like room and board, gear rental or parking.
• The Blue Heron Scholarship is intended for candidates who are able to demonstrate that as a certified ACA River Kayaking instructor they will help to increase diversity in paddlesports education in Georgia.
• Acceptance of this scholarship includes a commitment to enroll and participate in the Georgia Rivers instructor class as well as a volunteer commitment to help teach at least 3 Georgia Rivers classes in 2026.

Beaver Crew Scholarship for New Instructor Candidate Prep Course
Willing to Work for It!

• Value: $400
• The Beaver Crew scholarship is an informal scholarship to provide coaching from a currently certified ACA Level 2 River Kayaking instructors over the spring and summer leading up to the August/September instructor certification class.
• Acceptance of this scholarship includes a volunteer commitment to assist at at least 3 Georgia Rivers classes in 2026-2027.
• Scholarship recipients will be expected to provide their own kayak and gear during coaching sessions, preferably the same kayak they plan to use in the instructor course. Instructor Candidates will be responsible for their own expenses related to this training such as parking or gear rental.

*Candidates may apply for both the Blue Heron and the Beaver Crew Scholarships as long as they are willing to commit to the combined volunteer time commitment.

TO APPLY FOR NEW INSTRUCTOR CANDIDATE SCHOLARSHIPS:

Fill out the application form with no more than 1,500 characters about why you would be a good candidate for the Beaver Crew scholarship. Deadline March 30, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern.

Otter Achievers Scholarships for Already Certified ACA Kayak Instructors Seeking to Upgrade or Expand their Instructor Credentials

In 2025 we are exploring opportunities to – potentially – offer several kinds of instructor credential expansions. Stay tuned for more information as this exciting program unfolds.

• Allowing already certified Kayak/River Kayaking instructors to Upgrade their Instructor Certification to either Level 2 or Level 3 River Kayaking.
• Allowing already certified ACA Kayak instructors to receive entry level training in SUP and/or Canoe as well as receive a formal Level 1 skills assessment and Paddlesports Safety Facilitator Instructor Endorsement for SUP and/or Canoe.  
• Allowing already certified ACA Kayak Instructors who have already earned multi-craft Level 1 Skills Assessments and PSF Instructor Endorsements to earn the Community Paddlesports Facilitator Certification to teach multi-craft trip leading.
• Allowing already certified ACA instructors to earn the Adaptive Paddling Instructor Endorsement and/or the Advanced Communications Instructor Endorsement.

Acceptance of each Otter Achievers Scholarship includes a commitment to assist at at least 3 Georgia Rivers classes in 2026-2027. 

We are not currently accepting applications for the Otter Achievers scholarship program. Stay tuned for more information as this exciting program unfolds.

Questions:

If you have questions about any of the Georgia Rivers Instructor Scholarships, please contact Andrea White at Andrea@garivers.org.

SUPPORTING GEORGIA RIVERS

Georgia Rivers is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1998 to serve as the voice of Georgia’s rivers. Georgia Rivers works to empower everyone to connect with, and advocate for economically vital and clean flowing rivers in Georgia. Your class fees will contribute to this effort statewide.