ACA Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor Course

Includes 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? By attending this 3 day class you will have the opportunity to work with Level 4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Trainer Francheska Hebden to earn up to Level 2 ACA River Kayaking Instructor credential, based on your performance in the class.

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. Instructor Candidates can earn up to a Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor certification in this 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 this class 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.

Instructor course registration opens May 1, 2023.

Instructor Course Details

Instructor IDW/ICE Class Dates: August 4 – 6, 2023

Location:
Day 1: Bear Creek Marina, Jackson Lake, Mansfield, GA

Day 2-3: Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area, Metro Hooch, Atlanta, GA

Cost: $325 per person for tuition

Time: Class will convene promptly at 9 a.m. each morning and will require attendance all day.  At Instructor Trainer’s discretion, will include working meals and evening sessions.

Additional Considerations: There are a few additional costs required by the national certifying body that are not included in the tuition for this class that candidates should consider.

• All candidates pursuing ACA instructor certification are required to be members of the American Canoe Association ($40).
• All candidates pursuing ACA instructor certification will be required to purchase a downloadable ACA Instructor Manual ($15).
• Candidates who successfully complete the ACA certification will be required to get certified in First Aid and CPR before beginning your own classes as an instructor, but this is not required before you get certified as an instructor.
• Candidates who successfully complete the ACA certification will be required to pay additional Instructor dues to the ACA Safety, Education and Instruction Council (SEIC) ($30).
• You are responsible for your own room and board and transport during this class.

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: ACA courses are open to all individuals 18 years old or older who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria.

• Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
• Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
• Independently hold head upright without neck / head support
• Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion
• Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
• Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
• Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket*
• Get on / off or in / out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
• Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft*
• Re-mount or re-enter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance*
• Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities, and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation*

* To participate in adaptive programs, participants must acknowledge only the first six EEC listed above. Entry-level adaptive programs will involve teaching and practicing EEC #7-11.

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.