L4 Instructor Certification Workshop

ACA Instructor Course, David Evans (ACA certified L4 Kayak Instructor Trainer)

May 20-24 2026

Jordan Lake, NC and various local whitewater rivers to be determined based on water levels and weather. The Level 4 whitewater kayak instructor course will cover beginner and intermediate teaching progressions, strokes, river maneuvers, rolling, class organization and risk management. We start out emphasizing primarily flatwater skills and development of teaching techniques, and then move on to focus on river skills and risk management. ACA certification is recognized as the baseline for paddling instructors, and provides instructors with a number of benefits, including insurance and several pro-deals. Instructor candidates should be class III or better kayakers, who are interested in learning how to paddle and teach more effectively. Candidates will be evaluated based on their class III boating skills, their ability to teach effectively, and their ability to model paddling skills on flatwater and up to class III whitewater. To receive certification, participants will need to attend all five days, and will need to successfully complete a number of teaching and performance requirements. Participation in the class does not guarantee certification. Participants who do not receive certification will be given a written list of areas to work on, and will have up to four years to complete the list. Part of the class will focus on polishing and developing the candidate’s skills, and many paddlers find that both their teaching and their paddling skills improve after taking the course.

A link to sign up for this course will be shortly forthcoming via the CCC event calendar.