Paddling School: 3-Day Paddlesports River Leadership Course
The ACA’s Paddlesports River Leader course is designed for individuals looking to enhance their leadership skills. This program targets paddle club leaders, camp and outdoor organization guides, and university trip coordinators who want to lead groups on river day trips.
Overview
The ACA’s Paddlesports River Leader course is designed for individuals looking to enhance their leadership skills. This program targets paddle club leaders, camp and outdoor organization guides, and university trip coordinators who want to lead groups on river day trips. It accommodates various watercraft, including river kayaks, canoes, paddle rafts, oar rafts, packrafts, and river stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Participants will learn intermediate paddling techniques, group management, planning, navigation, and respond to various paddling incidents while engaging in fun outdoor experiences.
Become certified as a Paddlesports River Leader and embark on your journey to becoming an empowered paddling guide!
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of ACA Level 2 Skills Assessment (or higher) in the course appropriate discipline.
- NOC Paddling School can provide L2 Skills Assessments in the following river disciplines: kayak (sit-in and sit-on-top) & canoe
- Those needing a L2 Skills Assessment in other river disciplines please contact the American Canoe Association (ACA) or visit their website for more information.
- Minimum Urban First Aid or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) & CPR
- For River Leaders, a minimum Level 2 Essentials of River Safety and Rescue Assessment is also required.
Dates
Course Dates
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 24-26, 2026 | Bryson City, NC |
Location
Address
51 NOC Way, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Before You Visit
Participants must be at least 18 years old and meet both prerequisite requirements for this course listed below.
Before the course start date, students must complete an ACA L2 Skills Assessment in their craft AND an ACA Skills Assessment L2 Essentials of River Safety & Rescue. Assessments must be completed by a qualified ACA instructor for the related discipline & level. A student must present their certificate of completions upon check-in or have them posted by the assessment instructor(s) on the ACA site. This ensures that candidates have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescuing ability, group management, and interpersonal skills to participate in this course.
Please note that NOC offers a Level 2 Essentials of River Safety & Rescue Skills Assessment on Wednesday, April 22nd and Level 2 Skills Assessments in both River Kayak and River Canoe on Thursday, April 23rd. Learn more about pre-requisite courses here.
Check out these links below for more information:
Course Book (Required): Get your copy of the Candidate Workbook. Available in print from Amazon or digital through Kindle.
Prerequisites:
1) L2 Skills Assessments in your discipline
2) L2 Essentials of River Safety & Rescue Skills Assessment
The Paddlesports Leadership course includes instruction, lunch, and transportation.
You will need to provide your own boat, paddle, PFD, helmet, and necessary gear. Splash gear, wetsuits, and boots are available as needed.
Participants will need to provide the individual gear outlined below. Discounts at the Outfitter’s Store are provided for course participants.
Necessary Items
- Boat, Paddle, PFD, Sprayskirt, Helmet
- Shorts or Swimwear
- Water shoes or old sneakers
- Synthetic T-shirts
- Sunscreen/Lip balm
- Towel and Change of clothes
- Reusable water bottle
- Clothing and personal items
- Rain gear
Optional Items
- Synthetic long underwear
- Nose clips
- Sunglasses and eyeglass strap
- Hat or visor
- Ear plugs
Lunch is included in the course fee. Additional meals, snacks, and beverages can be purchased at NOC’s two onsite restaurants, River’s End Restaurant and Big Wesser Riverside Pub, or the General Store.
Discounts are available for participants at NOC restaurants.
Meet Our Instructors
The NOC Paddling School stands out because of its exceptional instructors, who are experienced, skilled paddlers, and creative teachers. Their expertise and dedication are why Outside Magazine named us the “Best Place to Learn.”
Click here to view our full list of Paddling School Instructors
