ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Prerequisite Changes

ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Prerequisite Changes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is the ACA River Kayak Committee limiting instructor candidate entry for Instructor Certification Courses to Level 3?

The current structure of ACA River Kayak instructor prerequisites allows rapid progression from entry-level to advanced (L4–L5) instructor credentials without standardized mentorship, teaching experience benchmarks, or a consistent evaluation pathway. This has created variability in instructor readiness, successful certification course outcomes, and instructional quality.

Establishing Level 3 as the maximum entry point ensures that all ACA River Kayak instructors:

• Build meaningful and standardized teaching experience
• Demonstrate leadership capacity and developed expertise
• Develop risk management competency
• Progress within a structured, mentored framework and are providing quality instruction

Bottom line: this change supports instructor excellence and student safety.

2. When do the new prerequisites take effect?

October 1, 2026

 The River Kayak Committee will use Spring and Summer 2026 to inform and support the community prior to and during this change.

3. What are the new prerequisites for ACA River Kayaking Instructor Certification Courses?

For those wishing to complete a Level 3: River Kayak Certification Course

• Must hold L3–5 Skills Award (Assessment)
• L3 Instructor Certification Courses (IDW/ICE or ICW) are a minimum 4 days

For those who are already an ACA Level 3: River Kayak Instructor and wish to upgrade to Level 4:

• Must hold L4 Skills Award (Assessment)
• Must have properly reported a minimum of 2 Skills Courses or Skills Assessments at Level 3 (in the CMS)
• Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Skills or Assessment Course is strongly suggested
• CPR & Basic First Aid required
• WFA or WFR strongly encouraged
• Level 4 Instructor Certification/Upgrade Courses are a minimum 2 days (20 hours, up to 4 hours can be virtual).

For those who are already an ACA Level 4: Whitewater Kayak Instructor and wish to upgrade to Level 5:

• Must hold L5 Skills Award (Assessment)
• Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue skills or assessment course (or higher) is required
• Level 5 Instructor Certification/Upgrade Courses are a minimum 2 days

4. What is the format of the revised Instructor Certification Courses?

Level 3: River Kayaking and SOT River Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE or ICW)

• Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) – minimum 4 days (32 hours)
• Venue: Sections of rivers rated up to and including class I-II, where limited maneuvering in current is required to avoid obstacles.
• Roll required in venue
• No roll teaching requirement
• No Swiftwater Rescue course completion requirement

Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE or ICW)

• Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) – minimum 2 days (20 hours, up to 4 hours can be virtual).
• Venue: Sections of rivers rated up to and including class II-III, where maneuvering in current is required to avoid obstacles.
• Includes Rolling Endorsement Criteria (minimum 4 hours)

Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE or ICW)

• Combined Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) – minimum 2 days (16 hours).
• Venue: Sections of rivers rated class III-IV, in rapids where precise maneuvering in current is required to avoid obstacles.

5. Why require a Skills Award before entering an Instructor Certification Course?

The Skills Award:

• Establishes paddlers paddling proficiency and ability to operate in the course venue
• Separates skill validation from instructor evaluation
• Ensures certification course time focuses on Instructor Candidates learning and demonstrating teaching ability, leadership, ability to support student goals/learning style and risk management
• Aligns River Kayak with other ACA disciplines

6. Is this aligned with other ACA disciplines?

Yes.

This progression model aligns River Kayak with:

• ACA Leadership and Guide Certification Pathways
• Other ACA disciplines using staged progression and mentorship-based advancement consistency across disciplines promotes fairness and shared professional standards.

7. What if someone already has significant experience? Can they enter at Level 4?

There is a refined waiver request, review, and evaluation progression process to clarify:

• When entry at Level 4 is appropriate
• Required documentation
• Demonstration of equivalent experience

Level 3 remains the standard entry level for the discipline. Policy waiver requests must be submitted by the candidate, not their IT / course organizer.

8. What is considered an “Upgrade” outside of an Instructor Certification Course?

Clarification will be provided in future SEIC Monthly Newsletters and other outlets to illustrate:

• Upgrade pathways
• ICE evaluations
• Advancement via Instructor Certification Courses
• Endorsements vs Instructor Level Changes

These items will also be included in the River Kayak Skills Assessment Guide (SAG) document and supporting materials.

9. What is the role of ITs and ITEs under this new structure?

IT/ITEs are encouraged to:

• Run Level 3 Instructor Certification Workshops and follow up later to support Level 4 certification upgrades
• Support instructors between levels to build teaching experience
• Conduct skills assessment courses (L3 and L4)
• Offer mentorship and development guidance

The model creates developmental space between levels rather than compressing progression.

10. What support resources will be available?

Planned support includes:

• February 2026 ACA Newsletter announcement
• March 2026 Zoom information session
• Implementation SAG document
• Kayak curriculum resource document
• Instructional videos
• CMS navigation guidance
• Ongoing Zoom sessions for Q&A

11. How does this help clubs and schools?

• Encourages clubs to conduct and properly report skills assessment courses
• Empowers instructors to mentor developing paddlers
• Creates clearer development benchmarks
• Strengthens instructional consistency
• Improves risk management culture

Level 3: River Kayaking becomes the standard developmental foundation for paddlers progressing in the sport.

12. Will this make it harder to become an instructor?

It creates a clearer and more intentional pathway — not a higher barrier. The goal is:

• Better prepared instructors
• More consistent teaching quality
• Stronger leadership development
• Safer programs

13. What about Swiftwater Rescue requirements?

For Levels 3: River Kayaking and Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking:

• Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue skills or assessment course is highly recommended
• CPR & Basic First Aid required
• WFA or WFR strongly encouraged

This reinforces safety alignment with the venue expectations and demands of Class III environments.

For Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Kayaking:

• Completion of an ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue skills or assessment course (or higher) is required.
• Given the common remoteness of this course venue, Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification is strongly suggested.

14. How will the community be informed?

• Newsletter (Feb 2026)
• Zoom rollout (March 2026)
• Updated documentation
• Ongoing communication via ACA channels
• Direct communication between IT/ITEs and instructors

15. What is the broader purpose of this change?

This motion supports ACA’s commitment to:

• Instructor excellence
• Student safety
• Consistent educational standards
• Professional credibility across disciplines
• Sustainable instructor development