Overview

This intensive course is for those looking to develop their personal paddling skills and become a certified whitewater kayak instructor. The 40+ hour course is focused on the latest technical knowledge, terminology, teaching skills, personal paddling skills, and safety awareness in a swiftwater teaching environment. This course helps you work on personal and interpersonal development and pushes you to build skills and knowledge through peer feedback, video analysis, and lectures. We combine practical on-water demonstrations and presentations with real-world scenarios that will equip you to deal with teaching this multifaceted sport as a professional. This course sets the industry standard for instruction in paddle sports. The ACA instructor certification process is broken up into two core components: the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). The IDW presents students with the skills and knowledge that are required to become an instructor. The ICE is an opportunity for each candidate to demonstrate his/her proficiency in the presentation (logical progression) and demonstration (proper modeling) of the skills, and knowledge necessary for certification.

About the Instructor

Dave Bumgarner

Dave has been working in the whitewater industry for over 20+ years. He has worked as a kayak & packraft instructor, swiftwater rescue instructor, raft guide, and NOLS river instructor. He is an Instructor Trainer for the American Canoe Association (ACA) in the whitewater kayak, packrafting and swiftwater rescue disciplines. He is also a whitewater canoe and SUP instructor. When the water is not flowing you will find Dave guiding backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. He teaches recreation and professional level avalanche education courses. He has a Master's degree in adult education and loves teaching his clients new skills.

Ready to Level Up?

Secure your spot in ACA Kayak Instructor Class.