Georgia Rivers Opens Scholarship Applications for ACA Kayak Instructor Certification Prep Course and Certification Exam

The “Beaver Crew” program trains outdoor leaders to become nationally certified kayak instructors and to safely lead trips on Georgia rivers.

ATHENS, GA, March 13, 2025 –Training new kayak instructors is an important aspect of Georgia Rivers’ mission to protect and connect people with Georgia’s rivers. The statewide conservation organization has opened scholarships for their successful program to train kayak instructors to enable more people and communities to safely enjoy Georgia’s beautiful rivers and waterways. 

With a goal of helping emerging paddlesports leaders navigate the process of becoming a nationally certified instructor with the American Canoe Association (ACA), Georgia Rivers launched a “Train the Trainer” course for certification in 2022. After only three years of operations, the initiative has helped 41 people earn certification as ACA Kayak Instructors, more than doubling the number of nationally certified paddlesports instructors in the state of Georgia. 

The training program, also known as “Beaver Crew” provides coaching from currently certified ACA River Kayaking instructors over the spring and summer and culminates with an August/September instructor certification class. The Beaver Crew program eliminates historic barriers by connecting groups who are often left out of the legacy outdoor recreation leadership pipeline. Future instructors are connected with ACA instructor volunteers who coach and mentor them for the instructor exam. 

Successful graduates from Georgia River Network’s Beaver Crew program include leaders from Outdoor Afro Atlanta, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, The Outdoor Foundation, Southern Conservation Trust, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, Paddle for Tomorrow, West Atlanta Watershed Association, South River Watershed Association, Middle Georgia Kayakers, Westbrook Supply Co., and Georgia Blind Kayaking, among others. Certifications have also been earned by entrepreneurial and volunteer leaders working with new paddlers, retired paddlers and kayak anglers as well as leaders serving the members of Georgia Rivers. 

There are two potential scholarship opportunities available to future instructors, funded by support from Georgia Power Company. 

• The Beaver Crew Scholarship covers the cost of summer coaching for future instructor candidates who are committed to training over the summer with already certified instructors and commit to taking the instructor exam. 
• The Blue Heron Scholarship covers the tuition for the end of summer ACA instructor certification workshop. 

Both programs are available to successful scholarship candidates and will also have open registration for retail customers, as well. Candidates who accept the scholarship make a commitment to challenge the instructor exam in 2025 and to help teach paddling in future Georgia Rivers programs as a means to pay it forward.

Check out this video to learn about our Beaver Crew program from first person testimony!

To apply, please fill out an application on the Georgia Rivers website and complete an essay on why you would be a good candidate for the Beaver Crew or Blue Heron scholarship. Deadline March 30, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern.

An informational Question and Answer session will be held via Zoom on March 19, 2025 at 6 pm Eastern. Email Andrea@garivers.org to receive the Zoom meeting invitation.

Learn more and apply at garivers.org/instructor-training-and-certification-scholarships

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Georgia Rivers, formerly Georgia River Network, is a statewide 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network,  maps rivers and provides  the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Georgia Rivers connects people to Georgia rivers by hosting paddle trips across the state, including the signature week-long Paddle Georgia camping adventure hosted on a different Georgia river each year, and kayak training and safety classes. Georgia Rivers also serves as fiscal sponsor of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Georgia Water Coalition.

Visit garivers.org to learn more about paddle trips, paddle training, water trails and ways you can protect Georgia rivers.