Whitewater Prerequisites

Do I qualify to join a course?

Swimming Ability

Founder & CEO

For ACA Swiftwater Rescue courses, although you are not required to "know how to swim," the course is designed such that swimming is an essential feature of almost every rescue. Before you enter a rescue, you should ask yourself "Can I swim out of it?"

If the answer is "no," then the reality is that you should spend some time with an instructor in flatwater practicing swimming in your PFD before booking a SWR course with us.

Feeling fear around swimming in current is perfectly normal and at NNWW we teach techniques and tips for getting comfortable in the water. Swimming in rapids is "challenge by choice" and each swimming venue offers differing levels of challenge for you to choose from.

Your swimming ability should align with the 11 ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria. (see below)

Essentially:

Hold your breath while submerged

Roll onto your back while wearing PFD

Self Rescue Ability

You may participate in a NNWW course even if you cannot get back in the boat. We will practice different re-entry techniques and we will assist you as needed.

ACA Requirements:

Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft.
Remount or reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.

PPE Requirements

Office Manager

Required personal safety equipment for all courses

USCG Approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD)

Helmet

Closed toe shoes

Whistle

Thermal Protection

Additionally for SWR courses

Accessory webbing (flip line)

Carabiner

River knife

Throw Rope

ACA Essential Eligibility Criteria

Product Manager

These criteria are in place in order to allow us to include people or differing ability levels, including alternately abled individuals. Custom adaptive classes are available for those who meet criteria #1 - 6.

The American Canoe Association Essential Eligibility Criteria: ACA courses are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following: 1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing) 2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water 3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support 4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion 5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance 6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion 7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket* 8. Get on / off or in / out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance* 9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft* 10. Remount or reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance* 11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities and rescues listed in the appropriate Course Outline, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation* *To participate in adaptive programs, participants must acknowledge only the first six EEC listed above. Entry level adaptive programs will involve teaching and practicing EEC #7-11