KAYAK, Packraft & Swiftwater Rescue
INSTRUCTION, Development, Certification
Learn to Safely Paddle A river
Whitewater Attainment specializes in instruction for beginner to advanced whitewater kayakers and packrafters. We also offer higher-level training and certification for instructors and guides. Additionally, we teach river rescue and swiftwater rescue accreditation for kayakers, packrafters, canoeists, rafters, and standup paddlers. With over a decade of experience on the river, Whitewater Attainment is prepared to help you reach your personal and professional paddling goals. Our immersive approach to instruction focuses on technical and thinking skills such as planning, communication, and risk management for recreational and river professionals.
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 or packraft course? Learn with Tommy on the Arkansas River on select Thursdays throughout the summer. 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 or Packraft Instruction
Whitewater Kayaking Gear (kayak, paddle, helmet, PFD, skirt, insulation top; does not include river shoes)
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
Course Dates Listed Below
***Note, 2026 Private Kayak and Packraft Instruction on the Arkansas River is not booked through this website, use the yellow button below “Book @ CRI” or here: canyonriverinstruction.com
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
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
Duration
2-days
Location
Upper Colorado River, near Kremmling, CO
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
Prerequisites
18-years of age or older
Previous participation in an ACA L4 or equivalent Swiftwater Rescue Course
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 as well as other locations through our partnerships.
Note the 04/22-26/2026 is in partnership with New Mexico River Adventures (NMRA) sign up for this course on their website.
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
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 Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships.
Note the Rio Grande River course 04/25-26/2026 is in partnership with New Mexico River Adventures (NMRA) sign up for this course on their website.
Book Your Course
Want to become an ACA Certified Packraft Instructor? Learn to teach others how to packraft. This course is for competent 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
Duration
4-days
Resources
Prerequisites
18-years of age or older
No prior instructional experience required
Competent class-II packrafter
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 Bond, CO 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
Prerequisites
18-years of age or older
No prior instructional experience required
Competent class-II kayaker
Consistent roll
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 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. 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 3-4 Kayak Instructor Certification - pending successful completion
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 Bond, CO as well as other locations through our partnerships with other kayak, packrat and raft schools.
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