Get certified as an ACA Kayak Instructor!

GRN is offering two opportunities for Instructor Candidates to certify as an ACA Kayak Instructor in 2023:

• August 4-6 with Instructor Trainer Francheska Hebden
  Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor Certification Course (IDW/ICE) + PSF-Kayak Instructor Endorsement
• August 11-14 with Instructor Trainer Jake Vitak
  Level 1 Kayak Instructor Certification Course (IDW/ICE) + PSF-Kayak Instructor Endorsement + Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement

Both classes include Instructor Development Workshop and Instructor Certification Exam (IDW/ICE)

Are you interested in becoming a certified kayaking instructor who can teach paddlers on lakes and Class I rivers? 

ACA Instructor Criteria: To learn more about what to expect in this class and which skills are required to become a certified ACA instructor at each level of certification, please refer to the below documentation from the American Canoe Association.  Level 1 certification allows an instructor to teach on lakes. Level 2 certification allows an instructor to teach on lakes and class I rivers. In the Level 2 certification class an instructor candidate can earn up to the Level 2 certification, depending on performance . In the Level 1 certification class an instructor candidate can earn up to Level 1 certification, depending on performance in class. Certification is not guaranteed.

1. Check out the ACA Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor Criteria.
2. Check out the ACA Level 1 Kayaking Instructor Criteria.

Candidates from both of these classes who are successful at earning an instructor credential will have the option to complete an additional single evening Zoom session (DATE TBD) to earn a Paddlesport Safety Facilitator Instructor Endorsement for Kayak, which allows endorsed ACA instructors to deliver the Paddlesport Safety Facilitator professional certification to your students.

–> For more information on the Paddlesport Safety Facilitator Instructor Endorsement, CLICK HERE.

At the August 11-14 Instructor class, candidates will also have the opportunity to earn the Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement. This will require a pre-class Zoom date,  August 1, and in person training on the final date of the class, August 14.

–> For more information on the Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement, CLICK HERE.

Required Equipment:

• Bring your own kayak, life jacket and paddle.
  For optimal performance and maximum versatility of your instructor credentials, we recommend a 9-10′ sit inside recreational or whitewater kayak. Up to 12′ sit inside or sit on top kayaks are also eligible but you may have difficulties with some of the moves required (longer boats are not as agile for these required moves) or limitations on who you are allowed to teach once you are certified (instructors who get certified in sit inside kayaks may teach either SIK or SOT students. Instructors who get certified in SOT kayaks are only certified to teach students in SOT kayaks.)
• Bring a camp chair, lunch, plenty of water, a strap for your glasses, closed toe shoes that attach at the ankles, and dress for immersion every day.

Other useful gear to bring:

Drybag, throw rope, tow rope, locking carabiners, paddle float, stirrup/webbing, sunscreen, bug repellent, first aid kit. 

According to the national certifying body, Instructor Candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions: Essential Eligibility Criteria – ACA (americancanoe.org)

Required Equipment:

• Bring your own kayak, life jacket and paddle.
  For optimal performance and maximum versatility of your instructor credentials, we recommend using a 9-14′ sit inside recreational kayak for the first three days of this course (instructors who get certified in sit inside kayaks may teach either SIK or SOT students. Instructors who get certified in SOT kayaks are only certified to teach students in SOT kayaks.). For the final day of class when we are working on the Paddlesports Angler Instructor Endorsement, you are encouraged to bring your favorite fishing kayak of either design.
• Bring your Georgia fishing license and a basic fishing gear setup for fishing on a lake.
• Bring a camp chair, lunch, plenty of water and snacks, a strap for your glasses, closed toe shoes that attach at the ankles, and dress for immersion every day.

Other useful gear to bring:

Drybag, tow rope, locking carabiners, paddle float, stirrup/webbing, sunscreen, bug repellent, first aid kit. 

According to the national certifying body, Instructor Candidates must meet the following eligibility conditions: Essential Eligibility Criteria – ACA (americancanoe.org)

Take the Summer Prep Course – “Beaver Crew”

Willing to Work for It!

Cost: $350

If you would like some coaching to get ready for the ACA River Kayaking Instructor Exam, this is the program for you! This is usually most appealing to experienced flatwater paddlers who do not have whitewater experience or folks who are getting certified to be an instructor as part of their professional responsibilities across many outdoor recreation fields for whom paddling is not your primary sport.

Join currently certified ACA River Kayaking instructors on scheduled Fridays in May,  June and July to prepare for the instructor certification class in August. The expectation is that instructor candidates who enroll in this program will attend at least 4 of these Friday sessions but are welcome to attend as many as your schedule allows. In order to be fully prepared for the Instructor course you need to attend at least one lake class, at least one river class and at least 2 additional prep sessions so you can be exposed to the recommended teaching methodology and have a chance to practice.

Instructor candidates 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.

Folks who sign up for Beaver Crew will get to participate in Early Registration for the August Instructor Class. 

Registration for Beaver Crew will open April 1, 2023 and no registrants will be accepted after June 1.  Limited to 10 students.

Dates and Locations:

• LAKE DAYS: Friday, May 12 and Friday, July 7 at Bear Creek Marina, Jackson Lake, Mansfield, GA
• RIVER DAYS: Friday, June 2 and Friday, June 9 and Friday, July 14 and Friday, July 21 on the Lower Chestatee River, Dahlonega, GA

Apply for a Scholarship!

We are accepting applications February 1 through March 15, 2023.  We are so grateful to our sponsors who donate to this program to help Georgia River Network 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 two distinct scholarship opportunities available:

Blue Heron Scholarship for ACA Instructor Tuition
Soaring to Greatness!

Value: $325
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 volunteer commitment to help teach at least 1 Georgia River Network  class in 2024.

*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:

Fill out the application form with no more than 1,500 characters about why you would be a good candidate for the Blue Heron scholarship. Deadline March 15, 2023 at 5 pm Eastern.

GRN Blue Heron/Beaver Crew Scholarship Application 2023

Beaver Crew Scholarship for Instructor Candidate Coaching Sessions
Willing to Work for It!

Value: $350

The Beaver Crew scholarship is an informal scholarship to provide coaching from a currently certified ACA Level 2 River Kayaking instructor over the spring and summer leading up to the August instructor class.  Acceptance of this scholarship includes a volunteer commitment to assist at at least 1 Georgia River Network class in 2023-2024.

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:

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 15, 2023 at 5 pm Eastern.

GRN Blue Heron/Beaver Crew Scholarship Application 2023

Questions:
If you have questions about the requirements to become an ACA Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor or questions that are specific to the instructor course, please send those to your Instructor Trainer, Francheska Hebden, at cheskab@yahoo.com.

If you have questions about Beaver Crew or either of the GRN Scholarships, please contact Andrea White at Andrea@garivers.org.

SUPPORTING GEORGIA RIVER NETWORK

Georgia River Network is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1998 to serve as the voice of Georgia’s rivers. GRN 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.

COVID-19 Guidelines

Please review the following and be prepared to help us minimize the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus during the event.