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ACA Rafting Instructor Certification Workshop
October 1, 2024
October 10, 2024
Location: ACE Adventure Resort
American Canoe Association (ACA) L4/L5 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Certification Workshop and Exams
Join Instructor Trainer Candidate Kevin Terrell and Instructor Trainer Educator Elisha McArthur for these ACA Instructor Certification courses. ACA Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds with different goals but reach similar outcomes through the certification process. First, there are the bits of knowledge and experience shared by fellow candidates. By seeing things from another perspective, we can deepen our understanding of paddling and its associated skill sets. Second, the Instructor Trainers will provide a proven set of instructional best practices. These educational models will give you a framework that allows for the addition of your own creativity and personality. Third, ACA Instructors have access to a slew of benefits. Whether you want to run your own courses utilizing ACA insurance or get great equipment at unbeatable prices with exclusive pro-deals, being an ACA Instructor is for you!
All courses include:
- Primitive camping at ACE Adventure Resort (additional lodging options available for additional fees)
- Transportation to and from river locations
- All rafts, frames, oars, paddles, and other group equipment including med kit
- Wet-suit rental available
- Lunch (typically deli or bbq sandwich bar with sides; notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions at booking)
Participants need to bring:
- A $40 ACA Membership (+$30 SEIC dues once the course is completed) is required in order to receive a certification.
- Personal computer or other device for Course Management System assignments
- Appropriate clothing and gear for the season and water temperature (45-60* F)
- Personal rescue gear including PFD, helmet, throw rope, carabiners, whistle, knife
- A willingness to learn
L4 Instructor Certification Workshop
The ACA L4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) – Paddle & Oar is for experienced individuals interested in becoming ACA-certified L3/L4 Instructors while refining the skills required to efficiently paddle and/or row a raft on rivers with class I-III rapids. This intensive 6-day course includes advanced river reading, safety considerations, and demonstration-quality paddling/rowing techniques as well as instructional methods used to help others gain those skills. Instructor candidates may choose to be a candidate for only paddle, only oar, or both certifications.
Rivers: New, Gauley, Cherry, Meadow (up to class III)
Dates: October 1-4 and 8-9, 2024 (Have the weekend off to paddle the Gauley!)
Price: $900 (includes camping at ACE Adventure Resort)
Meals: Lunch is provided each day of instruction
Prerequisites: ACA membership dues ($40); Current first aid and CPR certifications; Experience on class III-IV whitewater; Completion of an ACA, Rescue III, or similar swiftwater rescue course within the last 3 years
Additional Costs: ACA Safety, Education, and Instruction Council (SEIC) dues ($30) upon completion of the course to receive your certification(s); any upgraded lodging costs (book ahead)
For more information on the ACA, please visit the following links:
Essential Eligibility Criteria for all ACA Courses
Basic requirements to become an ACA Instructor
L5 Instructor Certification Exam (Upgrade)
The American Canoe Association (ACA) L5 Advanced Whitewater Rafting Instructor Certification Exam (ICE) – Paddle & Oar is for current ACA L4 instructors interested in becoming L5 Instructors while refining the skills required to instruct and efficiently paddle and/or row a raft on rivers with class I-IV rapids. All candidates for this intensive 2-day course should possess and be able to demonstrate all skills and concepts listed on the Instructor Criteria and Sample Skills documents (see below). Instructor candidates may choose to be a candidate for only the paddle or oar certification.
Rivers: New, Gauley, Cherry, Meadow (up to class IV)
Dates: October 10-11, 2024
Price: $400 (includes camping at ACE Adventure Resort)
Meals: Lunch is provided each day of instruction
Prerequisites: 2+ years experience as a L4 Instructor; ACA membership dues ($40); Current first aid and CPR certifications; Experience on class III-IV whitewater; Completion of an ACA, Rescue III, or similar swiftwater rescue course within the last 3 years
Additional Costs: ACA Safety, Education, and Instruction Council (SEIC) dues ($30) upon completion of the course to receive your certification(s); any upgraded lodging costs (book ahead)
For more information on the ACA, please visit the following links:
L5 Paddle Raft Instructor Criteria
Meet the Instructors
Since 1999, Kevin Terrell has been an outdoor and experiential educator working throughout the United States for a variety of non-profits and outdoor schools. That career led him to West Virginia where he became a commercial rafting guide in 2009 and he has carried those skills abroad to New Zealand and Costa Rica in the last decade. His loves of whitewater and education have come together as an ACA L4 Raft Instructor Trainer Candidate, L5 Raft Instructor Candidate, and L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor as well as a River Operations Manager and trainer for ACE Adventure Resort.
After spending her childhood in a family of private boaters, Elisha McArthur realized a longtime dream and became a commercial rafting guide in 1999 in Taos, New Mexico. Since then, she has been a guide, head boatman, ski race mom, and a professional musician. Currently, she is the co-founder/owner of Canyon River Instruction in Salida, Colorado, with her husband where their mission is to make whitewater safer and more accessible for boaters through education, skill building and resource accessibility. She is an ACA L5 Raft Instructor Trainer Educator, L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer, L5 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and the ACA Raft Committee Chair.