To become an ACA Instructor, an Instructor Candidate must:

• Participate in an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and pass an Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). These courses are offered either as separate courses with time between for skills and presentation development and practice or can be offered concurrently (at the discretion of the Instructor Trainer) as an Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW).

• Perform paddling skills consistently with demonstration quality

• Demonstrate effective teaching skills

• Demonstrate technical knowledge of paddlesports

• Demonstrate appropriate safety & rescue ability

• Demonstrate effective group / course management and positive interpersonal skills

• Represent and promote the ACA and paddlesports in a positive manner

General Requirements for all Instructor Candidates:

• Be a full ACA member (Join Here)

• Be at least 18 years old

• All participants must acknowledge personal compliance with and demonstrate general knowledge of the purpose and significance of the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)

• Understands and acts in accordance with ACA’s Code of Conduct

• Demonstrate general knowledge of inclusion initiatives

• Successfully complete an Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW and ICE)

• Upon successful completion, register with the Safety Education and Instruction Council

• Have and maintain first aid and age appropriate CPR

• Demonstrate a general knowledge of paddlesports and the ACA

• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately perform and teach all of the following material, unassisted, in the appropriate venue

• Instructors are expected to be able to demonstrate, teach, and model everything on the official ACA skills course and assessment course outlines which correspond to their level/craft and in the appropriate venue

ACA L4 Raft ICW (Rowing & Paddle) – 5 Day Itinerary

*Itinerary is always subject to change, and adjustments will be made for a six-day ICW

Day 1 – Foundations & Flat-water (IDW)

● Welcome: course opener, waivers, icebreakers, logistics

● ACA structure & teaching model overview

● Review pre-course assignments + raft discipline documents

● Assign first short teaching topics (topics are skills selected from the ACA Curriculum)

● Morning classroom teaching module: Feedback models, Lesson Planning 101

● Flatwater session:

○ Gear familiarization, rigging, outfitting

○ Strokes progression (paddle) & paddler’s box

○ Strokes progression (rowing) & core mechanics

○ Teaching practicum #1: short “micro lessons” (gear, stroke demos, safety checks)

● Evening: debrief + assign Day 2 teaching topics

Day 2 – Teaching & Risk Management (IDW)

● Morning classroom:

○ Movement analysis basics (video)

○ Teaching theory (ACA model in practice)

○ Risk management in instruction (trip planning, site management, mitigation tools)

● River session:

○ Safety talk demos + candidate-led safety talks

○ Teaching practicum #2: stroke/boat control modules on moving water

○ Rescue session: raft flip practice, throw bag practice, swimmer recovery

● Evening classroom: debrief, plan, optional module

Day 3 – Hydrology & Whitewater Application (IDW → Transition)

● Morning classroom:

○ Intro to Course Management System (CMS)

○ Hydrology & hazard ID for teaching

○ Teaching practicum #3: classroom modules (risk, hydro, gear)

● River session:

○ Laps on whitewater (maneuvers, eddies, ferries) with candidate instruction

○ Group management exercises (eddy regrouping, communication)

● Evening: Debrief + individual mid-course check-ins with feedback on teaching and skills

Day 4 – ICE Skills & Evaluation Begins

● Morning: ICE intro, review evaluation criteria, set expectations

● River session (skills assessment):

○ Swim test

○ In-water throw bag test

○ Flip test

○ Candidate-led on-water teaching segments (short topics + maneuvers)

● Lunch on the river

● Afternoon: Remaining teaching topics & refinement (split paddle/oar groups if needed)

● Evening: Debrief + final prep for long topics

Day 5 – Long Topics & Final Assessment

● Morning classroom:

○ Long topics (20–30 min, can be co-taught) – candidates must submit digital/written lesson plans (due

Day 4)

● Group debrief + closing circle

● Individual evaluations and feedback

● End of course

Wyld Heart Co. courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria:

• Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)

• Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water

• Independently hold head upright without neck / head support

• Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion

• 
Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance 


• Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion 


• Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket


• Get on/off or in/out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance


• Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft


• Remount or reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance


• Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation

ACA Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators are required to maintain appropriate First Aid and age appropriate CPR training from a nationally recognized First Aid and CPR provider throughout the term of their ACA certification. First Aid and CPR courses must include hands on practice and skills demonstration.

If an Instructor, Instructor Trainer, or Instructor Trainer Educator’s First Aid or age appropriate CPR certification expires during the period of his or her ACA certification, the ACA certification is no longer valid. Instructors, Instructor Trainers, and Instructor Trainer Educators whose certifications are not valid are not eligible for ACA insurance coverage. For additional details, please review the SEIC Policy Manual.

Oar Instructor Criteria – English & Spanish

Paddle Instructor Criteria – English & Spanish

ACA Raft Instructor Manual – English & Spanish

Equipment to bring to class. We are here to answer any questions and to help pair you with whatever gear you might need:

• PFD - Type III or V

• Whitewater Helmet

• Sun protection

• Fleece or Wool warm layers

• Wetsuit or drysuit

• Dry or splash wear

• River Shoes

• Rescue knife with locking sheath

• Whistle

• Sunglasses with retainer strap

• Water bottle

• Dry bag

• Lunch and snacks

A 50% deposit is due at registration. Of this, $325 is non-refundable and non-transferable. The remaining 50% is due prior to the course start date.

• More than 120 days prior to course start: Full refund of any payments made, less the $325 non-refundable portion of your deposit.
  

If Wyld Heart cancels a trip for reasons other than force majeure (natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, etc.), you’ll receive a full refund including your deposit. If cancellation is due to force majeure, we’ll make every effort to refund recoverable costs or apply your payment toward a future trip.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to: jess@wyldheartco.com.