ACA Assessments and Certification

ACA Level 1/2: Essentials of Kayak Touring Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
2027 Dates:
June 4th-7th 8:30am-5pm
August 6th-9th 8:30am-5pm
Meets at the Newton Historic Boathouse (location may vary based on conditions)

Turn your passion for paddling into the skills and confidence to teach others safely and effectively through an American Canoe Association kayak instructor certification. You’ll gain nationally recognized credentials, deepen your own abilities on the water, and open the door to new opportunities in the paddlesports community.

This 4-day clinic meets 8:30am-4:30pm. The Level 1/2: Essentials of Kayak Touring instructor certification program equips kayakers with the teaching, assessing, and leadership skills to provide safe and effective learning experiences in sheltered water. Contact [email protected] with questions about eligibility.

This Course will be led by Todd Johnstone-Wright. Todd is an adventure sports coach, competitive and adventure sports consultant, and educator who has worked in sports for over 25 years. He owns Synaptic Sport LLC., a consulting group serving sports coaches, adventure sport coaches, and educators. At his core, Todd is a teacher, instructor, and coach whose focus is on creating highly differentiated and fun developmental experiences for diverse groups of learners and athletes in various disciplines. He is one of only four North Americans to be assessed as a British Canoe Union (BCU) Level 5 Coach Sea and one of three to complete the Paddle UK Level 4 Coaching Diploma. Todd is also an American Canoe Association (ACA) L5 Advanced Open Water Instructor Trainer Educator and ACA L4 Whitewater Instructor Trainer. Todd serves as an instructor educator for SOLO Wilderness Medicine, where he works with diverse groups to include components of the armed forces.

Additionally, Todd has earned a Master’s Degree in Education and a second Master’s degree in Performance Coaching at the University of Stirling, Scotland. He also holds ski, climbing, and mountain bicycling awards. He is a team paddler for P&H Kayak and an ambassador for Northwest River Supply (NRS). Kayaking and adventure sports have allowed Todd to paddle, climb, ride, and ski throughout North America, South America, Africa, and Europe. He feels it’s a privilege to be present whenever and wherever learning occurs.

ACA Assessments

ACA assessments are a required step for many certification clinics. Ask us about scheduling an assessment.