ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course
Join us for a 2-Day (16 hr), American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course on the Shenandoah River, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, near Harpers Ferry National Park. We are happy to provide you with an opportunity to practice these valuable rescue skills.
Please visit our Swiftwater Rescue page for more information
May 9-10, 2026, Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, WV. 2-Day (16 hr)
ACA level 4: Whitewater Rafting Instructor Update Workshop
This event is for ACA Level 4: Whitewater Rafting Instructors needing to Update their certification.
Duration: 2-Days
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $325.00
Key Requirements for ACA Instuctor Update:
Certification Cycle: Valid for 4 years, expiring on 12/31 of the 4th year.
Active Status: Maintain annual ACA membership and SEIC registration.
Teaching Requirements: Teach and properly report a minimum of two courses every four years, with at least one course at the instructor’s highest level of certification.
Instructor Update Component: Complete an update via a 1-day/2-day workshop, assisting with an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), or co-teaching with an Instructor Trainer (IT).
Safety Requirements: Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification.
Skills Assessment: Demonstrate knowledge of teaching and learning theory, and proficiency in required technical skills.
To learn more about the instructor certification process please visit our Rafting Instructor Training page.
May 11-12, 2026, Potomac River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. 2 Days (16 hrs)
ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course
Join us for a 2-Day (16 hr), American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course on the Stonycreek River in Johnstown, PA. This course is designed to allow people to participate prior to the Annual Stonycreek Rendezvous. We are happy to provide you with an opportunity to practice these valuable skills.
Visit our Swiftwater Rescue page for more information.
May 13-14, 2026, Stonycreek River, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 2-Day (16hr)
Kids River Safety & Rescue Summer Day Camp (3-Days)
Treat your kids to a 3-day, Kids Summer Day Camp. Have fun while learning lots of valuable river safety & rescue skills.
The kids should expect to spend a lot of time swimming in the water as well as boating in a kayak, canoe, or raft.
*Recommended ages: 9-15
No experience necessary!
Time schedule: 9 am - 4 pm each day
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $315.00
Group discounts available (contact us)
*The number of participants is very limited due to its low Instructor-participant ratio of 1:6 for quality and experience.
This event is an official American Canoe Association (ACA) course, and all kids who attend will receive an ACA certificate of participation upon completion.
ACA Course title:
ACA Level 2: Essentials of River Safety & Rescue Skills Course
Skills Course Overview:
Essentials of River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches 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. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who anticipate paddling in moving water but not whitewater.
Course Objectives:
Promote proactive prevention of river accidents
Develop and practice key self-rescue
Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features
Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
Practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment
Please visit our Children’s Camp page for more information
July 13-15, 2026, (3-Day) Kids Summer Day Camp, Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Kids River Safety & Rescue Summer Day Camp (2-Days)
Treat your kids to a 2-day, Kids Summer Day Camp. Have fun while learning lots of valuable river safety & rescue skills.
The kids should expect to spend a lot of time swimming in the water as well as boating in a kayak, canoe, or raft.
*Recommended ages: 9-15
No experience necessary!
Time schedule: 9 am - 4 pm each day
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $215.00
Group discounts available (contact us)
*The number of participants is very limited due to its low Instructor-participant ratio of 1:6 for quality and experience.
This event is an official American Canoe Association (ACA) course, and all kids who attend will receive an ACA certificate of participation upon completion.
ACA Course title:
ACA Level 2: Essentials of River Safety & Rescue Skills Course
Skills Course Overview:
Essentials of River Safety and Rescue workshop teaches 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. Fundamental techniques for dealing with hazards that carry greater risks for both victim and rescuer, such as entrapments, and pins, also are taught. This course is aimed primarily at new boaters, or boaters who anticipate paddling in moving water but not whitewater.
Course Objectives:
Promote proactive prevention of river accidents
Develop and practice key self-rescue
Identify and avoid river hazards by understanding hydrology, hazards, and river features
Focus on fast, low-risk strategies for early management of river accidents
Practice methods for recovering swimmers, and loose boats and equipment
Please visit our Children’s Camp page for more information
July 16-17, (2-Day) Kids Summer Day Camp, Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course
Join us for a 2-Day (16 hr), American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course on the Shenandoah River, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, near Harpers Ferry National Park. We are happy to provide you with an opportunity to practice these valuable rescue skills.
Please visit our Swiftwater Rescue page for more information
August 1-2. 2026, Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. 2-Day (16 hr)
ACA Level 4: Whitewater Raft Paddle/Oars Instructor Certification Workshop
5-Day (40+ hr)
This event is for people interested in becoming a certified American Canoe Association(ACA) Raft Paddle/Oars Instructor. This event contains both the Instructor Developmental Workshop (IDW) and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
Duration: 5-Day (40+ hr)
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $800.00
For more information please visit our RAFT Instructor Training page
Potomac River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. 5-Days (40+hrs)
ACA Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course
Join us for a 2-Day (16 hr), American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 4: Swiftwater Rescue Course on the Shenandoah River, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, near Harpers Ferry National Park. We are happy to provide you with an opportunity to practice these valuable rescue skills.
Duration: 2-Day
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $220.00
Please visit our Swiftwater Rescue page for more information
October 24-25, 2026, Shenandoah River, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. 2-Days (16 hrs)
ACA Level 4: Whitewater Rafting Oars Course
Duration: 2-Day (16 hr)
Cost: $300.00
Location Harpers Ferry, WV
Please visit our OARS Skill Development page for more information
ACA Level 4: Whitewater Raft Paddle/Oars Instructor Certification Workshop
This event is for people interested in becoming a certified American Canoe Association(ACA) Raft Paddle/Oars Instructor. This event contains both the Instructor Developmental Workshop (IDW) and the Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).
Duration: 5-Day (40+ hr)
Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
Cost: $800.00
For more information visit our RAFT Instructor Training page
Swiftwater Rescue Pactice Fun Night
Join Team River Runner - Fredericksburg Chapter for a relaxed, off-season refresher of swiftwater rescue skills led by Jeff Cogle. Whether you’re brand new to rescue concepts or just looking to shake the rust off, all experience levels are welcome.
We’ll kick things off with a potluck dinner at 1800- bring a dish to share - then jump into the hands-on fun around 1845. The evening will cover knots, wading techniques, mechanical advantage systems, foot entrapment scenarios, and more.
The event will be held on private property near Elkwood, VA, about 30 minutes west of Fredericksburg. The exact address will be sent after you register, so be sure to sign up using the link in the “Tickets” section.
Come learn, practice, and enjoy a laid-back evening with the crew!
Team River Runner is a 501c3 non-profit, our mission is to provide all service members, veterans, and their families the opportunity to find health, healing, and community through adventure and paddlesports.
This is a FREE event!
Tickets: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeShLcwEJU_-2hIa6DK7RRTD16XBp1n1S8_fH7i_JPTYBjAQQ/viewform
New Year’s Day Paddle
Join us for the 2nd annual Appalachian Guidance New Years Day Paddle! This free community event will take place on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers in the beautiful historic town of Harpers Ferry, WV. Appropriate cold weather gear is a must. Meet at Potoma Wayside Park (take-out) at noon, ready to set shuttle.
Course Bundle Deals
Whitewater Sampler Package
Bundle Courses for the Most Value!
Mentorship Program
Check our schedule to find this and other great courses!
All courses are internationally recognized as official American Canoe Association (ACA) courses. We teach paddling courses based upon approved ACA course outlines for both skills courses and assessments.
Contact:
Got questions?
We are happy to customize courses, offer private events, and travel to your location. Get in touch!
We look forward to hearing from you!