We believe that water safety is best learned early so we have designed a kid-friendly class aimed at providing them with the basics so that they know both what to look out for and what to do if they find themselves in trouble. We combine water safety instruction with a fun flatwater kayak paddle on the lake under the direction of our qualified instructors . All equipment provided. Parents are welcome to accompany their kids as well.

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If you’ve already taken the Swiftwater Rescue Course and want to review and practice the skills that you previously learned without committing to the full course again then this one-day refresher is for you. One of our ACA certified Swiftwater Rescue Instructors will lead a review of all the major topics with an emphasis on the more technical skills that are easily lost when not practiced regularly. You will also get the opportunity to apply these skills in realistic scenarios within a group context.

You’ve taken the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course and want further training and practical experience leading rescues in simulated scenarios that most closely simulate the real deal. Then this is the course for you! Our ACA certified Advanced Swiftwater Instructors will lead you through a skills recap followed by a day on the water during which you will paddle into simulated rescue scenarios as you work your way downriver. This class is a natural progression from your previous training and one of the best ways to further improve your ability to effectively lead rescues when seconds count. Class 3 boating skills and successful completion of either ACA or Rescue 3 Basic Swiftwater Rescue is required. 

If you’ve taken the Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course and want to learn even more technical skills to add to your rescue bag of tricks this is the course for you! Advanced ropework is the theme of the day as you will learn how to use more complicated techniques such as advanced mechanical advantage, improvised haul systems, zip lines, Telfer Lower and vertical rescues. Successful completion of either ACA or Rescue 3 Basic Swiftwater Rescue is required.

For those who are really serious about not only developing but really ingraining the skills learned in these two complimentary courses in a way that only happens during immersion over several days this course is a must! Start with the two-day Wilderness First Aid Course followed by the two-day Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course. End it with a day of scenarios incorporating the two and you have the ultimate recipe for scene management preparedness. No experience required.

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We provide training for fire fighters, first responders, search and rescue, park rangers and other professionals who have a water rescue component to their job. Training can be tailored to the unique wants and needs of your team. Contact us for more information.

The intensive 2-day ACA Level 4 Basic Swiftwater Rescue Course covers a wide range of topics that will help both recreational users and professional rescuers learn the skills necessary to conduct and lead a rescue on moving water. Topics include accident prevention, non-technical and technical rescues, scene management and a variety of other practical techniques and applications that will help keep you and others safe. This course should be considered mandatory training for anyone who spends time in and around moving water. No previous rescue experience required. Certificate of completion awarded upon course conclusion.

Do you enjoy paddling on lakes and in the ocean and want to learn how to be safer for both yourself and those you paddle with? The 7-hour Flatwater Safety & Rescue for Boaters Course covers a wide range of topics that will help boaters be safe while paddling on flat bodies of water. Participants learn recognition and avoidance of common hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers requiring assistance.  No previous paddling or rescue experience required. Certificate of completion awarded upon course conclusion.

Do you want to learn how to teach others to be safer on the water (up to class 2) while also becoming better prepared to lead a rescue when things don't go as planned? The ACA River Safety and Rescue Instructor Course (Level 3) will help you get there by training you how to teach recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and simple rescues of paddlers in distress.  Emphasis is placed both on personal safety and on simple, commonly used skills. This course is aimed at anyone who plays a leadership or safety role on the water, whether formally or informally, and who wants to help others learn to be safer. 

Do you want to learn how to teach others to be safer on moving water (all classes of difficulty) while also becoming better prepared to lead a rescue when things don't go as planned? The ACA Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Course (Levels 4/5) will help you get there by training you how to teach recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for individuals in distress in more challenging conditions. More advanced techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as strainers, rescue vest applications, entrapments, and pins, also are practiced.

ACA instructors can Update or Upgrade their cert either by participating in a portion of one of our rescue instructor courses or by request. Updates, required every 4 years to maintain certification,  serve as opportunities to share teaching ideas, to describe changes in ACA policy, and to assess instructor skills.   Upgrades provide current ACA instructors with the opportunity to become certified at a higher level by participating in an ICE or after appropriate review by an ACA IT or ITE in their discipline. Instructors seeking such an upgrade must meet all appropriate performance criteria. Contact us for more information.