ACA Certification Pathways

The ACA offers different pathways to achieve certification, including as an instructor and as a leader for single day trips. Both are described on this page.

The ACA instructor certification process:

Instructor Development Workshop (IDW): The IDW is designed to be a stand-alone learning experience and evaluation that will help prepare instructor candidates for certification .  During the IDW, candidates will be assessed on their personal paddling skills, ensuring core competencies and readiness for certification.  The primary focus of the IDW is the refinement of teaching techniques, skills and proper modeling of paddling strokes. This process should provide you with a benchmark from which to evaluate the level of your own skill/knowledge, and help you to identify those areas where you need work before attending the ICE.

Successful completion of an IDW is required in order to participate in an ICE. Successful completion of an assessment may also be required.

Instructor Certification Exam (ICE): The ICE is designed to evaluate instructor candidates as an instructor. Each candidate must be proficient in:

1) a general knowledge of paddling including the technical knowledge of coastal kayaking, equipment, the maritime environment and safety;

2) teaching ability; which includes the appropriate application of interpersonal skills, group management, modeling and feedback skills, the use of standardized terminology, technical understanding and the ability to break down skills and concepts into their component parts;

3) on-water skills, to include demonstrated proficiency in maneuvers, strokes, rescues, roll (L3), an acceptable level of comfort in variable conditions and an incorporation of the skills you will teach into your own paddling style.

Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW): An Instructor Certification Workshop is a combined IDW and ICE that happen jointly. All level 2 certifications are offered as an ICW, and at times, we facilitate level 3 as an ICW.

Ready to enroll?
Contact us to learn more and see if this is the right fit for you.

Before you sign up, make sure you’ve got:

• Current first aid and CPR certifications (or ability to obtain)
• ACA membership
• Successfully complete the L3 assessment if enrolling in a level 3 course (contact us to arrange)
• Review the appropriate Instructor Criteria below

Check out our course calendar or give us a call to get started.