ACA Instructor Development & Certification
These courses are designed to prepare participants with the professional skills needed to teach whitewater kayaking. NOC’s training will certify up to Level 4 ACA Kayak Instructor.
Overview
NOC’s ACA Instructor Development and Certification courses teach, evaluate and prepare Instructor Candidates to facilitate and manage a paddling course from Level 1 to Level 4. Prior to registering for the course, we expect that candidates should have the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescuing ability, group management, and interpersonal skills to correlate with the level of the desired certification. Upon completion and evaluation, NOC’s ACA certified Instructor Trainer will certify participants to the level of their skills stated above.
Prerequisites: ACA instructor courses are designed for individuals who have prior paddling experience and a solid understanding of paddle stroke choice and terminology. Instructor Candidates should have an understanding of basic teaching methodology, presenting topics and group management. You should not take this course if you are new to paddlesports.
NOC highly recommends participants take an ACA Skills Assessment at the desired level of certification prior to the course start date. This assessment can be completed by any ACA instructor at the desired level.
Assessments & Courses
ACA Skills Assessment
This course is designed to evaluate a student’s existing skillset. Students should arrive at the course with previous paddling experience, and they will be assessed alongside a checklist of skills, experience, and knowledge. If successfully completed, the student will receive an assessment credential from the ACA.
Level 1 - Introduction to Kayaking
Level 2 - Essentials of River Kayaking
ACA L2 criteria – Course length 3 days. This course is for the camp leaders, outfitters, and paddlers who lead trips to teach and facilitate basic safety and instruction on moving water (Class I water). Instructor Candidates need to show leadership and group management skills; they must also model paddling strokes and show they can teach strokes and concepts effectively in Class I water. NOC ACA Skills Assessment Course or equivalent skills course HIGHLY recommended.
Level 3 - Whitewater Kayaking
ACA L3 criteria – Course length is 4-5 days and consists of the IDW and ICE. This course is for outfitters, instructional programs, and paddlers that lead trips and facilitate safety and instruction on whitewater (Class I-II water). This course will emphasize safety & rescue, strokes, paddling concepts, and being an effective teacher. Instructor Candidates must be comfortable with paddling, teaching concepts, and performing rescues on class II as well as be able to perform a reliable kayak roll. NOC ACA Skills Assessment Course or equivalent skills course HIGHLY recommended.
Level 4 - Whitewater Kayaking
ACA L4 criteria – Course length is 5 days and consists of the IDW and ICE. This course is for outfitters, instructional programs, and paddlers that lead trips and facilitate safety and instruction on whitewater (Class II-III). This course will emphasize safety & rescue, strokes, paddling concepts, and being an effective teacher. Instructor Candidates need to show leadership and group management skills and candidates must have a combat roll in course conditions and be able to teach the kayak roll safely and effectively. NOC ACA Skills Assessment Course or equivalent skills course HIGHLY recommended.
ACA Instructor Certification Update
NOC’s ACA Instructor Update Course is designed to update your ACA Kayak Instructor Certification with NOC professional instructors. Candidates will need to demonstrate proficiency and understanding in strokes, concepts, group management skills, and rescue. Instructors will be informed of new changes to ACA policies, best practices and learn new methods for teaching and supporting students. Participants should be able to paddle, teach and manage students on the venue at the current level of ACA certification. Re-certification in this course is based on both paddling and teaching skills and is not guaranteed at any level. Please call us for more information.
ACA Level 3 River Safety and Rescue Instructor Development & Certification Course
When paddlers think about swiftwater rescue, they often envision complex rope rescues. However, most rescues involve a core set of straightforward skills like wading, swimming, and rope throwing. The ACA’s Level 3 SWR Instructor Course equips paddlers with the knowledge to teach these essential skills to others. The course covers effective teaching strategies, accident prevention through planning and proper equipment use, hazard recognition, wading, swimming, rope throwing, and boat-based rescue techniques.
This course spans three days, supplemented by pre- and post-course Zoom sessions and assigned readings. For more details, visit ACA Course Information.
Instructor certification requires ACA membership and current CPR and first aid certification.
Dates
ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| May 16-17, 2025 | Bryson City, NC |
ACA Level 2 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| May 16-18, 2025 | Bryson City, NC |
ACA Level 3 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 23-27, 2025 | Bryson City, NC |
ACA Level 4 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
| Dates | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 23-27, 2025 | Bryson City, NC |
Location
Before You Visit
ACA Level 1 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
NOC highly recommends participants take an ACA Skills Assessment at the desired level of certification prior to the course start date. This assessment can be completed by any ACA instructor at the desired level.
Participants must be 18+ years of age. Participants must meet age, weight, and chest size minimums and maximums specific to this trip. Please read our General Participant Eligibility & Recommendations for more information.
ACA Level 2 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
NOC highly recommends participants take an ACA Skills Assessment at the desired level of certification prior to the course start date. This assessment can be completed by any ACA instructor at the desired level.
Participants must be 18+ years of age. Participants must meet age, weight, and chest size minimums and maximums specific to this trip. Please read our General Participant Eligibility & Recommendations for more information.
ACA Level 3 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
NOC highly recommends participants take an ACA Skills Assessment at the desired level of certification prior to the course start date. This assessment can be completed by any ACA instructor at the desired level.
Participants must be 18+ years of age. Participants must meet age, weight, and chest size minimums and maximums specific to this trip. Please read our General Participant Eligibility & Recommendations for more information.
ACA Level 4 Kayak Instructor Development & Certification Course
NOC highly recommends participants take an ACA Skills Assessment at the desired level of certification prior to the course start date. This assessment can be completed by any ACA instructor at the desired level.
Participants must be 18+ years of age. Participants must meet age, weight, and chest size minimums and maximums specific to this trip. Please read our General Participant Eligibility & Recommendations for more information.
NOC provides ACA certified instruction and daily lunch.
- Daily Lunch
- In-Course Transportation
- NOC’s Highly-Trained, ACA Certified Instruction
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 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
