Missouri Whitewater Association

Kayak Instructor Certification, ACA L2 course
2026-05-28 - 2026-05-30 | MO
(Save the dates! However, the other details below are from 2025’s class and need to be confirmed or updated).
Thursday am – Saturday pm, 3 full days, taught by Melissa Sauter & Tom Burroughs, sponsored by the Mississippi River Water Trails Association (MRWTA), https://mississippiriverwatertrail.org/event/aca-level-2-essentials-of-river-kayaking-instructor-certification-with-tom-burroughs/
Are you proficient with ACA Level Two River Kayaking Skills and now ready to learn how to teach these skills to others after a skills assessment? This 3-day course will review river kayaking skills then focus on requirements and assessment to be a skilled kayak instructor. Be prepared to get wet as portions of this course will take place on the calm backwaters of the Mississippi River and possibly in the current of the Meramec River.
Boats and equipment are available for use during this course.
This class is open to the general public, as well as partner agencies and clubs. Registration with ACA and SEIC is required before starting the course.
To register, please complete the following form:
https://forms.gle/grJAhTCvBVzBBKqr6
Please review this link for river kayaking Instructor Criteria.
https://americancanoe.org/…/L2_Essentials-of-River…
An assessment by a Level 2 ACA Kayak Instructor can be scheduled in advance of the event by contacting board@mississippiriverwatertrail.org.

This course prepares participants to be able to teach and model the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills needed to teach river kayaking. L2 students say that their kayaking skills are elevated by the ability to demonstrate and instruct. Certification is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of Tom Burroughs, the instructor.
Course Prerequisites –Be “signed off” as being able to demonstrate the skills described in the ACA Level 2 Kayaking Skills Assessment; See L2_ERK_Assessment.pdf (americancanoe.org)
See Course Curriculum – ACA (americancanoe.org), “Essentials of River Kayaking” for the above Assessments, Instructor Criteria, and sample skills course content that successful L2 instructors will be prepared to teach.
Full refunds will be issued by the instructor in the event of course cancellation. If a student needs to cancel after registering, they are requested to find an eligible replacement and negotiate reimbursement with them.
Taught by Melissa Sauter &
Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue team
Director, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society
Cost: $475 per person. Maximum 10.
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See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy for MWA members. MWA reimburses members for certain trainings after completion of an MWA volunteer commitment. You need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer. If you need a scholarship to participate in this course, please communicate with an MWA Board member. MWA is developing a scholarship policy.
For military service members or veterans, Team River Runner (TRR) has a grant that will enable them to reimburse you after the successful completion of this course. If interested, please contact Devin Gates, the StL TRR Chapter Coordinator, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or( 314) 904-6443 in advance of the course. The expectation is that you would use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

TRR Central Region Rendezvous - WOKA
2026-06-11 17:00 - 2026-06-14 17:00 (America/Chicago) | MO
Save the date – June 11-14, 2026, Thursday evening to Sunday evening, TRR Central Region Chapters, Silom Springs & WOKA.
(Dates chosen to overlap with part of the Oklahoma City Golf Tournament benefitting TRR, so TRR National staff can paddle with us!)
We will camp and play at two paddle parks: Silom Springs & WOKA. There is something for every skill level, including instruction. Lots of Class I & II water.
Who:

Participation targeted to veterans from TRR’s Central Region chapters (Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas) and their +1 civilian guest.
Priority given to veterans and civilian volunteers who have paddled with or volunteered for TRR in the 6 months prior to this event, so come paddle with us!
Support boaters wanted, veterans & civilians.
Other paddling clubs, especially MWA members, welcome.

$50 deposit required, which will be returned to veterans and ACA instructors who attend.
Included: Camping fees, food, water park admission fees, use of TRR paddling gear, and breakfasts + dinners.
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from this event and bringing your own camping gear.
More details & registration forthcoming. Registration deadline will be May 1, 2026.
POC = Debbie Dean, TRR Central Region Coordinator, 405-249-9498, debbie.dean@teamriverrunner.org.
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Participants in TRR events need to electronically sign a 2026 National TRR Waiver. See TRR’s National Code of Conduct & Alcohol Policy.
Team River Runner Mission: To provide all veterans and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports!

Week of Rivers (WOR) Trip - NC Canoe Club 2026
2026-06-27 - 2026-07-04 | Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground, 755 East Alarka Rd, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
More info can be found: https://www.carolinacanoeclub.org/content/week-rivers/
You can come for as much or as little of the event as you choose. Opportunities to paddle class 1-4, with some instructional events.
If you want to discuss the event with an MWA local who has gone several times, contact Kathy Pszonka, 314-402-3038 <iamakayaknmom@hotmail.com>.
Willow Pratt Ellis is organizing the rental of a shared “bunk-house” style cabin, adjacent to the group campground of the event. Contact her if interested, (816) 372-2165 <jwillowellis@gmail.com>.

July General Meeting
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:30 | MO
Our bi-monthly members update! Join us to learn about our upcoming events and get a quick report from each of our committees: Bylaws, Clinic, Conservation, Finance, Race, Safety/Training and Youth.

Annual MWA Members event – float trip, dinner, and annual meeting
2026-09-11 00:00 - 2026-09-13 23:59 | Akers Ferry group campground, 37° 22' 59.0160" N 91° 34' 9.9840" W, United States
Always the weekend after Labor Day. Our annual members’ picnic! Join us for camping, paddling and fun, Friday night to Sunday morning.

Location: Akers Ferry group campground, located 20 miles south of Salem, Missouri. Akers Groupsite Campground, Jadwin, MO 65501

From Salem, take Highway 19 south 4 miles. Turn right on KK-16 miles to Akers Group Campground. The campground is 1/2 mile north of Akers Ferry (junction of Highways K and KK). There are pit toilets and water available, however Note: no campers allowed at this group campsite. The campground is right by the river.

Schedule:

Friday night – set up your campsite and join us for a social gathering.

Saturday – enjoy a float trip and river conservation clean-up on the Upper Current River. Leave from Cedar Grove to Akers campground—estimated 3 hours. If you need to rent a canoe or kayak, try Akers Ferry® Canoe Rental (currentrivercanoe.com). Make your own arrangements (unless you are with TRR).

Saturday dinner, MWA will provide meat. Everyone should bring a side dish. Please indicate on FaceBook if you are coming (to inform the caterer).

After dinner, MWA annual meeting (includes welcoming newly voted officers).

If you haven’t already signed your annual MWA ACA waiver and intend to paddle with us, please sign the waiver.

Organizer: Kevin (Slim) Olson <slimbo12@hotmail.com>

November General Meeting
2026-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | MO
