Wed am – Sunday pm.  Registration through Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators (OSRA) and taught by Tom Burroughs.

This five-day (40-hour min) course prepares participants to teach and model the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills needed to teach river or whitewater kayaking. L3/4 students say that their kayaking skills are greatly elevated by the ability to demonstrate and instruct.

Course Prerequisites – the skills described in the ACA Level 3 & 4 Kayaking Skills Assessment, which include:

1. A reliable river roll that works in Class II/III water;

2. Completion of (a) the appropriate level kayaking skills course or equivalent kayak skill AND (b) assessment by an ACA L3 or L4 instructor using the following list (instructor credentials matching the level the student candidate is pursuing). See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8m9hBZCcRAM&list=PLRPQF2MRPvGj6pY6gYk7LX4sv7aeFo1xx&index=14&pp=iAQB :

• Level 3: River Kayaking
• Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking

If your assessment instructor, who is currently ACA credentialed, indicates you “need more practice” on a skill, you can practice. Then you need to have an ACA instructor re-assess that skill and sign off as “Pass” on all skills PRIOR to class (4/2/25).
The teaching venue will be Missouri’s St. Francis River.  L3 candidates have the option to portage any rapids of the lower St Francis River beyond their ability.

3. Students of an ACA class must be current members of the ACA, https://americancanoe.org/join-the-aca/

4. An ACA SWR class is strongly suggested, but not required.

See Course Curriculum – ACA (americancanoe.org), “River Kayaking” for the above Assessments, Instructor Criteria, and sample skills course content that successful L3/L4 instructors will be prepared to teach.

Full refunds will be issued by the instructor in the event of course cancellation.

Taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655 (credentials below).

Location: The course will be based out of Cinco de Mayo Campground – Riverside RV Park in Farmington and the St Francis River, Millstream Gardens.  The campground can offer accommodations and a meal plan, which you arrange directly with them.

Reach out if you have any questions, to Tom Burroughs about the course (see above); for other logistics, to Sally Haywood <training@missouriwhitewater.org> 314-374-9206; to Jojo Newbold about the campground <FlyAKayak@outlook.com> 573-326-9008.  Post-registration, please study the letter that the instructor will send you.

Cost: $600. Minimum registrants 4 (for course to happen); Maximum 10.

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) can usually reimburse you after the successful completion of this course.  If interested, please contact your TRR Chapter Coordinator in advance of the course.  StL TRR Chapter Coordinator is Devin Gates, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or 314-904-6443.  The expectation is that you will use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

Taught by 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