ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop (L4 ICW)

• Dates: February 3-6, 2027

• Cost: $800

In this 4-day instructor certification workshop, you’ll have the chance to train and assess in an open coast environment with large swell, fast currents, and quick-changing conditions.

Already an American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor and interested in becoming an L4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor while stepping up your leadership and coaching skills? Or are you already an L4 instructor in need of an update? The Bay Area is one of the best classrooms for leveling up and building confidence as an instructor given our abundant access to surf, rock gardens, caves, and tide races all within easy paddling distance from calm harbors. In this 4-day instructor certification workshop, you’ll have the chance to train and assess in an open coast environment with large swell, fast currents, and quick-changing conditions.

You can either participate as a candidate, workshopping your skills, or participate as a candidate seeking certification. We also welcome updating candidates as well. This ICW is led by Laura Zulliger (L5 AOWCK Instructor, L4 Instructor Trainer).

We’ll dive into L4 conditions, techniques, and maneuvers all while exchanging and testing new pedagogical approaches, both on and off the water. Instructor candidates must demonstrate proficiency in 3 of the following 4 conditions at some time during the certification workshop to receive certification. The selected venue is to have regular access to a safe landing and be within 2 nautical miles from shore:

• 15 - 20 knot winds

• 3 - 5 foot waves (chop) (0.9 – 1.5 meters)

• 3 - 4 foot surf (0.9 – 1.2 meters) required

• 2 - 4 knots of current

Conditions do not need to be simultaneously present, and areas of escape from conditions must be available. The training venue shall provide a variety of leadership environments, such as regions with boat traffic, surf zones, tidal races, and rocky headlands.

We will hone your skills in teaching navigation, mitigating risk and managing incidents and provide effective coaching in technique—all in L4 conditions. Please review the ACA’s update L4 Instructor Criteria.

Locations & Timing

The course will begin at Presidio Yacht Club (Travis Marina), Sausalito, CA, but subsequent venues will be dependent on conditions and determined by the candidates. Possible venues include: Marin Headlands, Half Moon Bay, Bolinas, Tomales Bay and inside the SF Bay.

Prerequisites

• Be an existing Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor seeking to upgrade to Level 4

• Complete an L4 Skills Assessment

Please Note

Cost does not include food, accommodation, kayak and gear rental. We have a fleet of kayaks available for candidates flying to the Bay Area for our instructor programs. Kayaks must be reserved well in advance. Please contact us to reserve a kayak.