ACA Packraft Instructor Certification

PACKRAFT

ACA INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION COURSE

Location: Durango, Colorado

L1-4 Dates:    Thursday to Sunday, April 16-20, 2025 $700*

L1-3 Dates: Thursday to Saturday, April 16-19, 2025  $560*

Cost does NOT include ACA instructor membership ($70.00)

* Financial assistance scholarships available

Example Schedule: Monday to Thursday roughly 8:30 am- 6:30 pm. Last day finishes 4 pm.

First Day Meeting Location: 8:30AM Thursday April 16th 2025 Durango Location TBA

Space is Limited! Register Early.

Course Description: The American Canoe Association (ACA) has one of the best established paddlesport instruction programs anywhere in the world.  The ACA courses are comprehensive, but allow enough flexibility for individual teaching and paddling styles.  The main benefit to taking the course is improving your understanding of paddling technique and theory, so you can paddle more efficiently and teach more effectively.  A secondary benefit is the development process which can give you structured feedback on becoming an effective instructor.  A third benefit are the significant insurance, liability, and networking benefits of ACA certification.  Instructor development workshops are very rewarding and enjoyable, because of the opportunity for idea exchange.  

Lead Instructor Trainer Kent Ford: Kent's unique background includes thirty years teaching recreational boating to all levels of paddlers. His twenty videos and books on paddlesports have influenced the education of half a million paddlers. As an instructor trainer, Kent provides paddlers and prospective instructors a framework for better understanding paddling technique, theory, and safety.  These observations are all shared in an invigorating class atmosphere, designed to so everyone in the group is able to contribute and flourish. More info on Kent:  https://performancevideo.com/about/ 

Level 1-3/ 4 Packraft: This is a instructor development workshop and an instructor certification exam (IDW/ICE) targeting level 3 or L4 Packrafting, and includes L1,L2.  Our courses are targeted at instructors who expect to be teaching on Class II whitewater.  Not everyone will receive “Full” L3 or L4 instructor certification, especially if this is their first exposure to formal paddling instruction on whitewater.   No worries!  There are means for upgrading within the ACA system.  

The Level 3 and 4 criteria and testing includes teaching practicum, and safety and rescue demonstrations.  Instructor Candidates will be assigned teaching topics to deliver to the group. These assignments help you assimilate paddling information so that you are prepared to teach, plus they are a big part of our development and exam.

Prerequisite Skills:   Class II+ paddling skills are required.  To certify, you should be able to competently and comfortably demonstrate all of the skills listed on the Instructor Criteria documents available here.

https://americancanoe.org/education/for-aca-instructors/course-curriculum/

 Pre-course Assignment: Join ACA online $40 https://www.americancanoe.org/general/register_member_type.asp  After purchase, You will have to re-log-in to get your ACA number.  Bring receipt and/or ACA number to class.  ONCE LOGGED IN, purchase Instructor Membership $30 of Safety Education Instruction Committee available at the ACA eStore.

https://www.americancanoe.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=905403

Course Location:  Animas River, Durango Colorado.  Expect river temperatures of 45 to 55 degrees and air temps of 45 to 70 degrees (As always, be prepared for cold, drysuit recommended).

Overall Health:  Participants should be in good physical health and should be in condition to paddle for long hours.   Class days are long yet invigorating.

Additional Costs:  Participants are expected to provide their own transportation, boats and gear, unless they make arrangements in advance (easy).  Cost does NOT include ACA instructor membership ($70.00)

Meals: You will be responsible for all of your own meals.  Please pack a lunch for each day plus any snacks you need to get you through the day and after the river. We often eat lunch on the river, so if you can pack your food in a small dry bag please do so.  Also, don’t forget a water bottle.

Course Content Questions:  Contact Kent Ford wkentford@gmail.com

We look forward to meeting you and boating!