Swiftwater Rescue ACA L4 Instructor Certification Workshop
Swiftwater Rescue ACA L4 Instructor Certification Workshop
This six-day ACA Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) is an intensive and immersive program designed for guides and whitewater professionals seeking to achieve ACA instructor certification for Swiftwater Rescue. The American Canoe Association (ACA) is internationally recognized as the leading authority in paddlesports education, setting the benchmark for safety, technical proficiency, and instructional excellence.
This workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to advance their careers while refining their instructional techniques. It combines in-depth technical training, real-world teaching practice, and professional mentorship to prepare participants for the responsibilities of an ACA-certified instructor.
Program highlights include:
Comprehensive instruction in paddling techniques, rescue strategies, and safety management.
Practical teaching experience with feedback from experienced ACA instructor trainers.
Rigorous preparation to meet the ACA’s high standards for certification.
Achieving ACA certification is a significant professional milestone that enhances credibility, broadens career opportunities, and equips participants to teach with confidence and authority. This workshop is an invaluable step for professionals looking to elevate their expertise and establish themselves as leaders in paddlesports education.
This course will be offered in 2025, likely in July or August. We are currently assessing and finalizing the schedule for this particular event. Please contact the instructor, Alan Cammack, via our contact form to show your interest, ask questions, and be added to a notification list for when the date is set. Thank you for your understanding!
An ACA instructor certification course consists of both an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
By your participation in this course, it is assumed that you possess and can competently and comfortably demonstrate all of the skills and concepts listed on the Instructor Criteria and Sample Skills documents. This includes demonstrating paddling and rescue proficiency in your chosen river craft in Class III whitewater. An ICW is intended to refine these skills for demonstration quality and give you the tools and framework to effectively communicate these concepts to your students in a dynamic whitewater environment. It is required that students have participated in an ACA L4 SWR or equivalent course prior to attending this event. A pre-course questionnaire and study material will be assigned and due before the course. Please note that there is an additional $70 ACA Instructor Membership Fee.
Please contact CRI with any questions or for clarification!
Please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) and a basic gear list here.