How to sign up for the Whitewater Instructor Development Workshop

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for completing the sign-up process (outlined below) is two weeks prior to the workshop start date.

1) Fill out the questionnaire on this page (you can copy it and email it to us) and return it well in advance of your workshop date. After reviewing the questionnaire, we will contact you about qualifying for the IDW; this is in fairness to you, so you know you are ready for the workshop!

2) Reserve your spot by clicking "sign up now" on the top or bottom of this page. Enrollment must take place NO LATER than two weeks prior to the workshop start date. Space is limited to 8 participants maximum, so we highly recommend signing up well before the deadline to reserve your spot. A minimum of 5 candidates is required by the ACA to conduct an IDW, so the sooner we reach the minimum, the sooner we can confirm your workshop.

3) Join the ACA on line at American Canoe Association or call 703-451-0141 for membership information.

Once we have confirmed you for the IDW, we'll mail out additional information that you'll need to prepare for the workshop, such as topic assignments, a detailed itinerary, and a list of accommodations in the area. If you have additional questions, please contact our Instructor Trainer, Bryant Burkhardt.

Instructor Development Workshop Questionnaire

Thanks for your interest in the American Canoe Association Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) for Whitewater Kayaking. Please print or copy the following questionnaire (use as much space as necessary) and return it to us as soon as possible; we like to know the paddling experience of all our candidates. To email your completed questionnaire, you can copy the text and paste it into an email message. Or, you can send us a hard copy (see fax # and address below).

How long have you been kayaking and how often do you get on the water?



What rivers have you kayaked (include class)?




Describe any kayak teaching experience you have:




Rate your experience level on the skills below as follows:
1 = highly experienced, 2 = moderately experienced (competent), 3 = little or no experience.

Please list any other relevant experience:

Return to: Kenny@calkayak.com
(copy the questionnaire into your email message)
Fax: 510-893-2617
Or mail to:
Program Director
c/o California Canoe & Kayak
PO Box 394, El Granada, CA 94018

About the ACA Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification Workshops

Thank you for your interest in our American Canoe Association Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification Program. The workshops are designed for kayakers who already have strong paddling skills, a broad range of whitewater kayaking experience, and want to become more experienced in the art of instruction.

The workshops take place at on the South Fork of the American River near Lotus, CA (just 60 minutes east of Sacramento) where we have access to a variety of river conditions, including the class II stretch between Coloma and Lotus that is perfect for instruction. The 3-day sessions are rigorous, challenging, and very rewarding, focusing on the elements of teaching basic to intermediate whitewater kayaking classes. These workshops also offer a rare opportunity for experienced paddlers to come together and share information and ideas.

Instructor certification is a two-part process, starting with a 3-day Instructor Development Workshop (IDW). The main purpose of the IDW is to assess your kayaking and teaching skills and determine what you need to work on in order to be successful in the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) - the second part of the process. While the IDW is an informative practice session, the ICE is where you demonstrate your kayaking and teaching abilities. The ICE is a 2-day workshop, and can be taken only after completion of the IDW. The whole purpose of the certification process is to create a high standard of kayaking instruction throughout the nation.

Please fill out the questionnaire on this page and return it as soon as possible. When we receive the questionnaire we will contact you about signing up for the next available workshop; we cannot confirm your reservation until reveiwing the questionnaire. Also note the specific ACA certification requirements below. We hope this answers your initial questions about the program. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions.

Kenny Howell
Program Director
California Canoe & Kayak

ACA Proficiency Requirements: Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification

Fundamentally, we expect that paddlers should become experienced whitewater kayakers before presenting themselves for evaluation as instructor candidates.

1. Demonstrate the ability to teach and model the basic paddle strokes; forward, reverse, forward and reverse sweeps, draw, high and low braces.
2. Demonstrate the ability to teach and model basic paddling techniques; Peel-outs, Eddy Turns, Ferrying. Also have working knowledge of river rescues; Rolling, Bow Rescues, Hand of God, Towing Swimmers, Self-Rescue.
3. Demonstrate ability to perform a reliable combat roll.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to teach, the following:
   • River dynamics
   • River Reading
   • River Hazards
   • Hypothermia; prevention and treatment
   • Signaling devices and safety equipment
   • Kayak design and equipment
5. Demonstrate ability to paddle comfortably, and perform rescues efficiently in class II whitewater.*
6. Demonstrate leadership and group management skills, experience and judgment necessary to be a safe, effective instructor.

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Successfully complete an Instructor Development Workshop
3. Be an A.C.A. member ($35/yr. Governing), including the Safety, Education, & Instruction Committee (S.E.I.C) ($15/yr.). Call 703-451-0141 to join, or sign up on line: www.acanet.org Please do this prior to the workshop!
4. Demonstrate a general knowledge of Canoesport and the A.C.A.

1. Teach at least two courses that meet A.C.A. standards within the four-year certification period and report the results to the National Office.
2. Attend (within the four-year certification period) at least one of the following: Instructor Methods Workshop, Instructor Development Workshop, Instructor Certification Workshop (assisting in either of the last two is OK).
3. Maintain A.C.A. membership and N.I.C. registration annually.