Course Description

Do you or your crew want a private kayak or packraft course? Let Whitewater Attainment tailor a day or multiple days of instruction just for you. From beginners to advanced boaters, grow technical skills, safety knowledge, and explore various river options.

Included

• Kayak Instruction

• Whitewater Kayaking Gear (kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, skirt, insulation top; does not include river shoes) 

Duration 

• 1-day to multiple days

Location

• Upper Colorado River, near Bond, CO

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older or 16-years of age with adult accompaniment 

• Never to Advanced  

Call *

Choose the date(s) that work best for you. Prior to booking, contact us to start planning your customized course and make sure the date(s) you’d like to receive Private Kayak Instruction is available.

Book Your Course

Do you or your crew want a private packrafting course? Let Whitewater Attainment tailor a day or multiple days of kayak instruction just for you. From beginners to advanced boaters, grow technical skills, safety knowledge, and explore various river options.

Included

• Packraft Instruction

• Riverside lunch

• Paddle, Helmet, PFD & Drywear Available for use.

• Packraft is NOT Included

Duration

• 1-day

Location

• Upper Colorado River, near Bond, CO

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older or 16-years of age with adult accompaniment

• Must have your own Packraft

Call *

Choose the date(s) that work best for you. Prior to booking, contact us to start planning your customized course and make sure the date(s) you’d like to receive Private Packraft Instruction are available.

Book Your Course

Course Description

Do you or your crew want a private kayak lesson? Learn with Tommy on the Arkansas River. From beginners to advanced boaters, grow technical skills, safety knowledge, and explore various sections of the river. Tommy also works at Canyon River Instruction, where these courses are hosted.

Additional availability for Private Instruction on the Upper Colorado River.

Included

• Kayak Instruction

• Whitewater Kayaking Gear (kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, skirt, insulation top; does not include river shoes) 

Duration 

• 1-day to multiple days

Location

• Arkansas River near Buena Vista, CO 

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older or 16-years of age with adult accompaniment 

• Never to Advanced  

Call *

Choose the date(s) that work best for you. Prior to booking, contact us to start planning your customized course and make sure the date(s) you’d like to receive Private Instruction is available.

Course Description

Do you or your crew want a private packraft lesson? Learn with Tommy on the Arkansas River. From beginners to advanced boaters, grow technical skills, safety knowledge, and explore various sections of the river. Tommy also works at Canyon River Instruction, where these courses are hosted.

Additional availability for Private Instruction on the Upper Colorado River.

Included

• Packraft Instruction

• Packrafting Gear (paddle, helmet, PFD, insulation top; does not include river shoes or packraft)

Duration 

• 1-day to multiple days

Location

• Arkansas River near Buena Vista, CO 

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older or 16-years of age with adult accompaniment 

• Never to Advanced  

Call *

Choose the date(s) that work best for you. Prior to booking, contact us to start planning your customized course and make sure the date(s) you’d like to receive Private Instruction is available.

Course Description

Being prepared as a paddler is an essential skill to learn and develop. Whitewater enthusiasts of all disciplines and skill levels, as well as guides and instructors, benefit from a rescue course. Build skills to manage risk on the river. Develop a rescue mindset and learn an assessment process to “get the big picture” in critical situations. Practice using rescue gear and simple to complex rescue techniques. This course combines an outdoor classroom with hands-on learning scenarios in whitewater.

Included

• Swiftwater Rescue Instruction

• ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Certificate of Completion; accepted by most river outfitters, kayak schools, and outdoor programs

• Rescue and river gear available upon request

Pre Course Resources

• Know Your Knots Video Knot Tutorials

Duration

• 2-days

Location

• Upper Colorado River, near Kremling, CO (Pumphouse Recreation Area)

Prerequisites

• 18 years of age or older

• Competent class II boater with solid self-rescue skills

Book Your Course

Course Description

Learning rescue skills with your paddling partners is essential to practice and develop. In a day or multiple days of custom swiftwater rescue instruction, focus on your specific goals. From beginners to advanced boaters, grow your risk management mindset, skillset, and practicum. This course combines an outdoor classroom with hands-on learning scenarios in whitewater.

Included 

• Swiftwater Rescue Instruction 

• ACA Swiftwater Rescue Certificate of Completion 

• Rescue and river gear available upon request 

Pre Course Resources

• Know Your Knots Video Knot Tutorials 

Duration 

• 2-days

Location

• Upper Colorado River, near Kremling, CO (Pumphouse Recreation Area)

Prerequisites

• Experience running Class II Rapids

• 2 person minimum 

Call *

Choose the date(s) that work best for you. Prior to booking, contact us to start planning your customized course and make sure the dates you’d like to receive Private or Custom Swiftwater Rescue are available.

Book Your Course

Course Description

Want to become an ACA Certified Swiftwater Rescue Instructor? Learn to teach others how to stay safe on the river. This course is for experienced boaters and rescuers. Instructor Candidates will learn industry standards for teaching Swiftwater Rescue and are assessed throughout the course on teaching, technical knowledge, rescue ability, and group management skills. For more information on becoming an ACA Certified Instructor, visit www.americancanoe.org.

Included

• ACA Swiftwater Instructor Training 

• ACA 2-4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Resources 

• ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Criteria

• Know Your Knots Video Knot Tutorials

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older 

• Previous participation in an ACA L4 or equivalent Swiftwater Rescue Course

•  Must be an ACA member: become a MEMBER or RENEW.

• Current ACA Safety Education & Instruction Committee (SEIC) dues must be paid to hold any level Instructor Certification

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Kremmling, CO (Pumphouse Recreation Area) as well as other locations through our partnerships. 

Book Your Course

Course Description

Already an ACA Instructor? You will need to complete a 2-day Instructor Update every 4-years as one of your Instructor requirements. This may also be a good time to bump up your level of certification.

Included

• Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors

• Renewal of ACA 2-4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification or 1-4 Kayak Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Resources 

• ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Criteria

• Know Your Knots Video Knot Tutorials

Prerequisites

• Must be current ACA Certified Instructor in good standing (ACA Membership & SEIC Dues current) 

Duration 

• 2-days 

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Kremmling, CO (Pumphouse Recreation Area) as well as other locations through our partnerships. 

Book Your Course

Course Description

Want to become an ACA Certified Kayak Instructor? Learn to teach others how to kayak. This course is for competent river kayakers. Instructor Candidates will learn industry standards for teaching kayaking and are assessed throughout the course on teaching, technical knowledge, and rescue ability. For more information on becoming an ACA Certified Instructor, visit www.americancanoe.org. 

What is included?

• ACA Kayak Instructor Training 

• Video analysis of kayaking skills 

• ACA Level 3 Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration

• 4-days 

Resources

• ACA Kayak Instructor Criteria L3

• ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Changes*

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older 

• No prior instructional experience required 

• Competent class-II kayaker

• Consistent roll 

• Successfully complete ACA River Kayak Skills Assessment (L3–L5) and provide documentation before participating in an IDW or ICE. (NEW for 2026)*

•  Must be an ACA member: become a MEMBER or RENEW.

• Current ACA Safety Education & Instruction Committee (SEIC) dues must be paid to hold any level Instructor Certification

• Completion of an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course highly recommended

• Instructors often teach in remote areas, WFR or WFA certification is strongly recommended

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.

Course Description

Already an ACA Instructor? You will need to complete a 2-day Instructor Update every 4-years as one of your Instructor requirements.

Included

• Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors

• Video analysis of kayaking skills 

• Renewal of ACA L3 Kayak Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration 

• 2-days 

Resources

• ACA Kayak Instructor Criteria L3

• ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Changes

Prerequisites

• Must be current ACA Certified Instructor in good standing (ACA MEMBER and SEIC Dues current)

• Completion of an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course highly recommended

• Instructors often teach in remote areas, WFR or WFA certification is strongly recommended

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.

Course Description

Already an ACA Instructor? This course is for current L4 Whitewater Kayak Instructors completing their required 2-day Instructor Update every four years, as well as L3 River Kayak Instructors looking to upgrade to L4 certification.

What is included?

• Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors

• Video analysis of kayaking skills 

• Renewal of ACA L4 Kayak Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

• Upgrade to ACA Level 4 Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration

• 2-days 

Resources

• ACA Kayak Instructor Criteria L4

• ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Prerequisite Changes*

Prerequisites

• L4 Upgrade & Update candidates must be current ACA Certified Instructor in good standing (ACA MEMBERand SEIC Dues current)

• L4 Upgrade Candidates must have taught and reported at least two L3: River Kayaking skills or assessment courses

• L4 Upgrade Candidates must have successfully complete ACA River Kayak Skills Assessment (L4–L5) and provide documentation before participating in an Instructor Upgrade. (NEW for 2026)*

• L4 Upgrade & Update Candidates are strongly recommended to complete an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course

• L4 Upgrade & Update candidates are highly encouraged to complete WFR or WFA certification, as instructors often teach in remote areas

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.

Course Description

The ACA Level 5 Advanced Whitewater Kayak Instructor Upgrade is for certified L4 Instructors who want to improve their instructional and boating skills. Beyond being able to teach in a class IV venue, L5 instructors must demonstrate a high level of paddling, rescue, and instructional ability. We invite you to apply if you want to take this next step and meet the prerequisites. 

What is included?

• ACA Kayak Instructor Training 

• Video analysis of kayaking skills 

• ACA Level 5 Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration

• 2-days 

Resources

• ACA L5 Advanced Whitewater Kayak Instructor Criteria

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older 

• Competent class-IV kayaker

• Consistent roll on both sides

• Current ACA L4 Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Instructor in good standing

• Taught and reported at least two L4: Whitewater Kayaking skills or assessment courses

• Successfully complete ACA River Kayak Skills Assessment (L3–L5) and provide documentation before participating in an IDW or ICE. (NEW for 2026)

•  Must be an ACA member: become a MEMBER or RENEW.

• Current ACA Safety Education & Instruction Committee (SEIC) dues must be paid to hold any level Instructor Certification

• Completion of an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course highly recommended

• Instructors often teach in remote areas, WFR or WFA certification is strongly recommended

Location

• Arkansas River, near Buena Vista and Salida, CO

• Canyon River Instruction Outpost

Book Your Course

Want to become an ACA Certified Packraft Instructor? Learn to teach others how to packraft. This course is for competent river and whitewater packrafters. Instructor Candidates (IC) will learn industry standards for teaching packrafting and are assessed on teaching, technical knowledge, and rescue ability throughout the course. For more information on becoming an ACA Certified Instructor, visit www.americancanoe.org.

What is included?

• ACA Packraft Instructor Training

• Video analysis of packrafting skills

• ACA Level 1-3 Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

• ACA Level 1-4 Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration

• 4-days L1-L3

• 5-days L1-L4

Resources

• ACA L3 Packraft Instructor Criteria

• ACA L4 Packraft Instructor Criteria

Prerequisites

• 18-years of age or older

• No prior instructional experience required

• Competent class-II packrafter L1-L3

• Competent class-III packrafter L1-L4

• Must be an ACA member: become a MEMBER or RENEW.

• Current ACA Safety Education & Instruction Committee (SEIC) dues must be paid to hold any level Instructor Certification

• Completion of an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course highly recommended

• Instructors often teach in remote areas, WFR or WFA certification is strongly recommended

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships. 

Book Your Course

Course Description

Already an ACA Instructor? You will need to complete a 2-day Instructor Update every 4-years as one of your Instructor requirements.

Included

• Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors

• Video analysis of packrafting skills 

• Renewal of ACA L3 River Packraft Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration 

• 2-days 

Resources

• ACA River Packraft Instructor Criteria L3

Prerequisites

• Must be current ACA Certified Instructor in good standing (ACA MEMBER and SEIC Dues current)

• Completion of an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course highly recommended

• Instructors often teach in remote areas, WFR or WFA certification is strongly recommended

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.

Course Description

Already an ACA Instructor? This course is for current L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructors completing their required 2-day Instructor Update every four years, as well as L3 River Packraft Instructors looking to upgrade to L4 certification.

What is included?

• Accredited continuing education and professional development for ACA Certified Instructors

• Video analysis of packrafting skills 

• Renewal of ACA L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

• Upgrade to ACA L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Certification - pending successful completion

Duration

• 2-days 

Resources

• ACA L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Criteria

Prerequisites

• L4 Upgrade & Update candidates must be current ACA Certified Instructor in good standing (ACA MEMBER and SEIC Dues current)

• L4 Upgrade & Update Candidates are strongly recommended to complete an ACA L4: Swiftwater Rescue course

• L4 Upgrade & Update candidates are highly encouraged to complete WFR or WFA certification, as instructors often teach in remote areas

Location

• We offer this course on the Upper Colorado River near Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.