ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Prerequisite Changes
ACA River Kayak 2026 Instructor Certification Prerequisite Changes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Click here to watch the recording of the…
Safety Education & Instruction
2025 Level 1 & 2 Instructor Contest Results
To grow our community of paddlers, the Regional Activity Council (RAC) hosted a competition for instructors in all ACA disciplines…
ACA Pro School Feature: Canyon River Instruction
At Canyon River Instruction (CRI), whitewater education isn’t just a service—it’s a calling. Based in Colorado and proud to be…
Instructor of the Month: Wolf Albury
Wolf Albury’s journey into sea kayaking began under the guidance of the late, great Russell Farrow of Sweetwater Kayaks in…
Welcome to the Newest ACA Pro School, Paddle-N-More!
We are thrilled to welcome Paddle-N-More to the distinguished group of ACA Pro Schools! Located in the heart of New…
Instructor of the Month: Joey Taguding
Joey Taguding, ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor, is a dedicated advocate for paddlesports safety and ACA Instructor of the Month! Often…
Instructor Certification Expiration Date & Renewal Requirements
By the end of the 4-year certification period, the following minimum maintenance requirements must be met for ACA instructor certifications…
Inaugural Surf Kayak Revival in the PNW
Last month, the ACA Surf Kayak Committee hosted the first Surf Kayak Revival event, a Level 2-3: Surf Kayak Instructor…
ACA Surf Kayak Revival 2024
Couldn’t get enough of the surfing and kayaking Olympic coverage?! Do you love the ocean and want a new way…
2024 ACA Helmet Survey Results
he Strategic Plan of the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Recreational Boating Safety Program has several major initiatives including “Leverage recreational…
ACA Instructor Trainers Receive Higgins and Langley Awards
The Higgins and Langley Memorial Awards in Swiftwater Rescue honor outstanding achievement in the technical rescue discipline of swiftwater and…
Regional Update + Recertification Course in NY
An ACA Level 1 and 2 Regional Instructor Update weekend took place on June 1 and 2 at Yonkers Paddling…
ACA Rafting Rendezvous
The ACA has recently introduced an international Raft Guide Certification and is proud to offer a new opportunity in a…
Scan If Found Stickers
These “Scan If Found” stickers help people return lost or stolen gear to you, and they also help first responders…
River Kayak Curriculum Revisions
Recently, the ACA SEIC and River Kayak Committee approved and published improvements to 1) safety and rescue topics featured in…
What’s Up With PSF?
As spring is rapidly approaching, many outdoor recreation employers are seeking training for their staff. If there are summer camps,…
Coastal Kayak 2024 Curriculum Updates
The Coastal Kayak Committee is excited to announce an update of our curriculum for 2024 and beyond! Following three years…
SEIC Discipline Committee Election Results: 2024-2025 Term
On behalf of the ACA Board of Directors, the SEIC Executive Committee, and SEI Department Staff, we want to say…
Level 1 & 2 Instructor Contest Final Results
To grow our community of paddlers, the Regional Activity Council (RAC) hosted a competition for instructors in all ACA disciplines…
ACA SEIC Discipline Committee, At-Large, and International Rep Nominations
From October 1-23rd, the SEIC will be accepting self nominations for ACA Discipline Committees, At-Large, and International representatives. Currently certified…
ACA Fishing Endorsement Gaining Momentum, Recruiting Kayak Angling Leaders as ACA Instructors
Photo Credit: Chuck Earls The ACA Fishing Advisory Board is happy to report that the new ACA Paddlesports Angler instructor…
New ACA Raft Guide Certification Program Launched
On behalf of the Rafting Committee and the ACA SEIC Board, we are so exited to announce the launch of…
Announcing New ACA SUP Yoga Leader Instructional Curriculum
On behalf of the SUP Committee and the ACA SEIC Board, we’re pleased to announce the new ACA SUP Yoga…
Announcing ACA Kayak Polo Instructional Curriculum
On behalf of the River Kayaking and Coastal Kayaking Committees and the ACA SEIC Board, we’re pleased to announce the…
Announcing ACA Level 4: Whitewater Packrafting Curriculum
On behalf of the Packrafting Committee and the ACA SEIC Board, we’re pleased to announce the new Level 4: Whitewater…
ACA Paddlesport Angling Endorsement Opportunities
ACA Paddlesports Angler Endorsement Available Thru Online Only Option for ITs/ITEs with Prior Fishing Experience – Offered Free Until May…
2022 Recreational Paddlers Instructor Contest – August Leaderboard
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
2022 Recreational Paddlers Instructor Contest – July Leaderboard
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
The Future of Paddlesports Fueled by Partnerships
This summer Florida-based ACA Instructors Wayne Douchkoff, Jake FitzRoy, and Tim Grimes facilitated a Level 2 Kayaking Skills Course and an Essentials…
2022 Recreational Paddlers Instructor Contest – June Leaderboard
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
A Guide for Multiple Use Waterway Management, Third Edition
ACA is proud to share the recent publication of The Guide for Multiple Use Waterway Management, Third Edition, because it…
Update to Sea Scout Advancement Requirements for Paddlesports
The National Commodore of Sea Scouts BSA has announced an update to the Sea Scout Advancement Requirements, which better serve…
ACA Instructor Contest 2021 – Final Results
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
SEIC Discipline Committee Voting Open Now – Ends 11/15/21
Every two years, the ACA’s Safety Education & Instruction Council requests nominations and elects voting and affiliate members who are…
SEIC Discipline Committee Nominations
Every two years, the ACA’s Safety Education & Instruction Council requests nominations and elects voting and affiliate members who are…
Allison Cone – Instructor of the Month
The ACA Instructor of the Month for September, Allison Cone, earned her first instructor certification in 2001. Since her initial…
ACA Instructor Contest 2021 – September Leaderboard
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
Sami Hawkins – Instructor of the Month
The August Instructor of the Month, Samantha “Sami” Hawkins, started her whitewater kayaking career as an Outdoor Education Major at…
ACA Instructor Contest 2021 – August Leaderboard
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are proud to announce the…
Jake Taylor – Instructor of the Month
The ACA Instructor of the Month is Jake Taylor! Jake has been an ACA Instructor since 2011 and an Instructor…
ACA Instructor Contest 2021
The ACA Board of Directors, Safety Education & Instruction Department, and the ACA State Directors are excited to announce a…
June 2021 Instructor of the Month
The June Instructor of the Month is Wayne Douchkoff from Bradenton, Florida! The ACA staff had a few minutes to…
Wayne Douchkoff
ACA Instructor of the Month is Wayne Douchkoff from Bradenton, Florida! In conjunction with ACA Florida and the Florida Paddling…
Revised ACA Rafting Curriculum
The ACA Rafting Committee recently completed a comprehensive review and revision of their Level 3 and Level 4 Whitewater Rafting…
New River Kayak Hand Paddling Curriculum
The first ever ACA River Kayak Hand Paddling endorsement and skills course curriculum was approved during the SEIC and ACA Board of…
For Instructors: First Aid & CPR Extensions Friday
For ACA instructors whose first aid and CPR credentials expired in 2020 or 2021, the ACA’s Safety Education and Instruction…
For Instructors: ACA Liability Waivers Online within the CMS
Dear ACA Instructors, Important Update! You can now use the CMS to sign annual liability waivers for the students in…
Instructor of the Month – January 2021
Kate Stepan grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. Her life changed forever when, at 5 years old, Kate’s dad…
December Instructor of the Month
The 2020 December Instructor of the Month is Mitchell Joldersma! Mitchell is a kayak Instructor in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!…
November Instructor of the Month
The November Instructor of the Month is Scott Eveland! Until recently, Scott was a Boating Specialist and Conservation Officer for…