Smart Start for Safe Paddling Certification Criteria - Kayak Module Course Overview We expect Smart Start for Safe Paddling facilitators to be able to effectively maneuver their craft and demonstrate competent rescue techniques. This certification allows the facilitator to introduce paddlecraft safety and knowledge to the beginner paddler in a land-based setting. This module is to be taught in conjunction with the Smart Start for Safe Paddling General Knowledge Module. This program was formerly known as “Paddlesports Safety Facilitator” and was officially re-branded as “Smart Start for Safe Paddling” in October 2025. If you’re a student who would like resources to prepare for this course, ACA is pleased to provide the Smart Start for Safe Paddling suite of resources, which features a comprehensive resource book, student activity workbook, facilitator’s guide, and free online coursework. The 100% free Smart Start for Safe Paddling interactive online course can be found here. A certificate of completion is included! This is a 4-year, non-renewable certification. Course Prerequisites

• Acknowledgment of personal compliance with the ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
• Be a current ACA Member
• Understands and acts in accordance with ACA's Code of Conduct

Course Duration General Knowledge Module Duration: Minimum of 4 hours Discipline Specific Module Duration: Minimum of 1 hour per module Course Location / Accessible Venues Flat water, protected from wind, waves and outside boat traffic, with current less than 0.5 knots and within swimming distance of shore. Course Size 12 Participants : 1 Instructor; with an additional qualified assistant, the ratio can be 24 : 2. The maximum number of participants permitted is 24. Who Can Teach This Course This course may be offered by currently certified ACA:

• Level 3 Kayak Instructors (or higher)
• Level 1 and 2 Kayak Instructors with a Smart Start for Safe Paddling Endorsement. If the ACA Instructor would like to offer this course in another discipline (Canoe or SUP), they must have, at minimum, an ACA Level 1 Skills Award in that additional discipline to offer that module
• Leader Trainers (or higher)
• Guide Trainers (or higher)
• Level 1 (or higher) Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator as described below

Endorsements Endorsements can be given by any currently certified ACA Level 1 (or higher) Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator. If the ACA Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer Educator would like to offer the Smart Start for Safe Paddling endorsement to an instructor certified in a different discipline, the IT or ITE must have, at minimum, an ACA Level 1 Skills Award in that discipline. Succeeding Courses Level 1: Intro to Kayaking, Canoeing, SUP, or Packrafting Skills, Assessment, or Certification Course Community Paddlesports Leader (CPL) Certification Course Paddlesports Leader (PL) Certification Course General Requirements for all ACA Smart Start for Safe Paddling Certification Candidates

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be a full ACA member
• Successfully complete the General Module
• Successfully complete at least one of the discipline specific modules: Canoe, Kayak, or SUP
• Successfully complete the written exam
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of paddlesports and the ACA

Smart Start for Safe Paddling Certification Maintenance Requirements

• Maintain ACA membership annually
• This is a 4-year, non-renewable certification.

The following is a list of the criteria used to evaluate Facilitator Candidates. The content and sequence of evaluation should be adjusted to best fit the participant’s needs, class location, and time allowance. Kayak Module Requirements Demonstrate the ability to:

• Load and unload a kayak
• Carry the kayak to and from the water
• Entry/Exit from the shore or dock
• Determine trim of the kayak

Demonstrate the ability to perform swimming and wading techniques and concepts effectively:

• Understand the risks associated with standing and walking in the types of environments mentioned above (including entanglement and environmental hazards)
• Understand the pros and cons of different swimming positions
• Self-rescue: swimming with equipment
• Strategies to conserve energy

Demonstrate the ability to teach and model kayak-based rescue techniques and concepts effectively, and as appropriate to craft.

• Maneuver the kayak to rescue a person in the water and the capsized boat
• Advantages and disadvantages during rescues of various kayaks (e.g., sit-ins, sit-on-tops, recreational kayaks)
• Calmly exit the kayak after capsize, using proper body position and contact with the kayak and paddle.
• Paddle recovery options
• Strategies for kayak recovery
• Swimmer tow options
• Swimmer re-entry / re-mount techniques (e.g., stern entry, heel hook, rescue sling, paddle float)
• Kayak bumping / bulldozing
• Kayak towing
• Kayak specific rescues (e.g., boat over boat, boat to boat, scoop)
• Unresponsive paddler rescue
• Emptying water from kayak (e.g., on-shore, bailers, pumps)

Satisfactorily complete the General Module Successfully complete the Smart Start for Safe Paddling Exam Conclusion and Course Wrap Up

• Group debrief / individual feedback
• Course limitations
• Importance of First Aid and CPR
• Importance of additional instruction, practice, and gaining experience
• Importance of appropriate level of safety and rescue training
• Life sport / paddling options
• Local paddling groups / clubs
• Handouts / reference materials
• ACA membership benefits and renewal process
• Course Management System (CMS) access for credentials and training history

© American Canoe Association
Date of last revision: 10/28/2025
https://americancanoe.org