The American Canoe Association (ACA) has one of the best established paddlesport instruction programs anywhere in the world. ACA courses are comprehensive, but allow enough flexibility for individual teaching and paddling styles. The main benefit to taking the course is improving your understanding of paddling technique and theory, so you can paddle more efficiently and teach more effectively. A secondary benefit is the development process which can give you structured feedback on becoming an effective instructor. Instructor development workshops are very rewarding and enjoyable, because of the supportive learning environment and community involvement with idea exchanges. Additional perks include insurance, liability, and networking benefits of ACA certification.
Information on becoming an ACA Certified Instructor:
Visit https://americancanoe.org/education/take-a-paddling-class/become-an-instructor/
Lead Instructor Jule Harle: Alaska Packraft School's owner, executive director & author of "The Alaska Packraft Guidebook." Jule has been whitewater kayaking, packrafting & rafting Alaskan rivers since moving to Alaska in 2007. She’s passionate about being in the mountains while using packrafts for wilderness exploration & whitewater access as her job & in her free time.
Jule is an ACA certified L4 Packraft, L3 River Kayak & L4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Under Tommy Gram's mentorship, Jule became the 1st female ACA L4 Whitewater Packraft Instructor Trainer in 2025. She serves as a committee member for ACA Safety, Education & Instruction Council, volunteers for the American Packrafting Association & is a founder of the International Packraft Film Festival.
Level 1: Introduction to Packrafting Instructor Criteria
Level 2: Essentials of River Packrafting Instructor Criteria
18 years of age
Be a current ACA Member
Meet ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (scroll down to FAQ for more information)
For L1/L2 course, class II paddling skills required
For L3/L4 course, class III paddling skills required
You should be able to competently and comfortably demonstrate all of the skills and concepts listed on the Instructor Criteria and Sample Skills documents available here. https://americancanoe.org/education/for-aca-instructors/course-curriculum/
Level 1: Intro to Packrafting & Level 2: Essentials of River Packrafting
The certification criteria includes demonstrating paddling and rescue proficiency in Class II whitewater. Days 1-3 are an Instructor Development Workshops (ICW) intended to refine these skills for demonstration quality and give you the tools and framework to effectively communicate these concepts to your students in a dynamic whitewater environment. A pre-course questionnaire and study material will be assigned and due before the course.