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.