09.01.26 – 09.09.26
Level 3-4: Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
Poolesville, MD, USA
Cost: $865
Dates: Sept 1-9 2026
Times: 8am – 6pm
Location: Potomac River
Instructor Trainers Jordan Taylor and Elisha McArthur will run this eight day Instructor Development and Certification workshop in three phases:
Phase 1, Instructor Development, 3 days
You will learn everything you need to know about how to administer and instruct a rescue course. Elisha and Jordan will offer clear models of how to present skills, run drills and manage risk. You will start practicing designing your own rescue scenarios and practicing your presentations of these same skills.
Day 4 is off for rest and practice.
Phase 2, Shadow a Rescue Course, 2 days
Elisha and Jordan will run a 2 day rescue course open to the public and you will have the chance to coach skills for actual students.
Phase 3, Instructor Certification Exam
This is where you get a chance to apply everything by presenting to your peers and your IT’s. You will get to workshop the scenarios and drills you’ve been designing. By the end of this phase you are expected to demonstrate independence and resilience. Some of the topics you teach will be well prepped with lots of warning but you will also be “tested” on your ability to teach topics without prep.
Elisha McArthur has been a whitewater professional since 1999. She is an ACA L5 Raft ITE, an L4 Swiftwater Rescue IT, and an L5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. She is the co-owner/operator of Canyon River Instruction near Salida, CO and the co-founder/board president of Worldwide Women of Whitewater.
Jordan Taylor is the owner of Paddlesport Institute in Washington DC, which specializes in Rescue and Instructor Development. Taylor is on the American Canoe Association’s Safety & Rescue Committee and serves the ACA as an L4 Rescue Instructor Trainer and L5 Instructor. He also teaches for NOLS and Sierra Rescue.
Contact Information Jordan Taylorjordantaylorriver@gmail.com
