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. 

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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. 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.