Take your paddling from a personal skill to a group one. The ACA’s Coastal Paddlesports Leader certification prepares you to lead day trips on lakes and coastal water, from calm outings to more exposed conditions with wind and waves. You’ll build the on-the-water management, decision-making, communication, trip planning, risk management, and rescue skills to run a full day safely, while still making it a good time for the group.

This program is built for:

• Camps, nonprofits, and outdoor organizations running technical day trips

• Club and meetup group leaders

• University trip and program leaders

• Guides working for commercial outfitters

…or any other paddler who wants to safely lead others on day trips that progress beyond protected waterways.

This is our blended Training and Exam course: two days of hands-on training followed by a one-day certification exam, three days total. You’ll focus on sea kayaks but also work across kayaks, SUPs, and sit-on-tops, developing the skills to lead confidently in coastal conditions.

What we cover: Trip planning and logistics, group leadership and communication, hazard identification and dynamic risk assessment, rescue coordination, navigation and group tracking, and the ACA knowledge and professionalism you’ll need to register trips and maintain your certification.

Good to know:

• 3 days (24 hours) total: 2 days training, 1 day exam

• $650 per person

• Must be 18 or older

• Held on lakes or coastal water with some wind and wave exposure. Conditions shift, so come ready for it

• 6 candidates per trainer, 12 candidates max per course

Participants must be observed in 3 of 4 of the following conditions during the exam:

• Winds: 8 – 12 knots

• Waves: 1 – 2 feet

• Surf: 1 – 2 feet

• Tidal Current: 1 – 2 knots

Reserve your spot and start building the skills to lead others safely on the water.

PREREQUISITES

• Current ACA member

• ACA Level 2 “Essentials of” Skills Assessment in Kayak Touring, Sit-On-Top Kayak Touring, SUP, Canoeing, or Sit-On-Top Surf Kayaking (or higher)

• Urban First Aid & CPR certification

• Your own copy of the ACA Paddlesports Leader Candidate Course Workbook

• Acknowledgment of the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria and agreement to the ACA Code of Conduct

Haven’t taken your Level 2 assessment yet? Reach out to us and we can help!