Guest Testimonials

I wanted to thank you both sincerely for the entire weekend. Despite the sheer terror and the screams I absolutely love it and I am so happy I did every part of it. I wish it was longer than 2 days. Mostly, the weekend would not have been so wonderful, if you both weren’t a huge part of it. – Heather and Andy, you guys were the perfect instructors and honestly, helped me more than you probably know. Besides your combined exceptional skills and experience – the way you were both able to relay some of that to us mere mortals in a way that was so encouraging, fun and serious when it needed to be and give me so much more courage than I think I would have been able to muster with any other instructors. So again, thank you both so much.

Louis Kemble - Vancouver BC

New to Wet Planet, Professional Training opportunities now include a course for Kayaking Instructors, certified by the American Canoe Association, or the ACA. The ACA has created the nation's premier teaching certification program for kayaking. With more than 40 years experience, the ACA, has developed a specific and proven set of paddle sports' best practices, inspiring participants to share their experience and knowledge of kayaking in the safest, most effective way.

This course will combine on-water demonstrations, practical's and presentations in a variety of environments with discussion sessions on teaching methodology, skill development and peer feedback. You'll learn how to reach the most challenging students and maintain a fun and safe environment at all times. Don't be surprised if you walk away from this 40-hour training having refined your own technique more and learned new ways to build upon your own whitewater kayaking skills.

The course will consist of an Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE). Participants will also be required to:

• Perform paddling skills and demonstrate skills clearly and consistently
• Demonstrate effective teaching skills
• Demonstrate technical knowledge of kayaking
• Demonstrate proper safety and rescue ability
• Demonstrate effective group/course management and positive interpersonal skills

Inspirational and Experienced Kayak Instructor Trainer

Instructor Trainer J.R Weir is the Lead Instructor and Guide for Sundance Kayak School on the Rogue River in Oregon, and has worked on the Rogue River for 15 years as a kayak instructor and river guide. His passion for kayaking and kayak instruction is unmatched. J.R. is certified by the American Canoe Association as an instructor trainer.

Assistant Instructor Abe Herrera, an Ecuadorian native, first found his way to the White Salmon River valley in 2005. Since his first summer on the White Salmon, which Abe recalls as "one of the best summers of his life". He has traveled around much of the US as well as Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Colombia in search of the worlds best whitewater. After years of exploring in search of world class whitewater, Abe found a whitewater Mecca to call home for the summer here in the Columbia River Gorge. Abe joined our Wet Planet family in 2012, finding a home here, teaching kayaking and swift water rescue classes, and guiding river trips. For Abe, teaching kayaking always offers new lessons from an ever changing, dynamic environment that is the river.

Assistant Instructor Heather Herbeck, Wet Planet instructor since 2006, has been an integral part of the Northwest paddling community since she moved here from Minnesota. Within the Columbia River Gorge Heather has created and lead programs for a variety of students, but specifically for females and kids. She enjoys inspiring and motivating students to take on new challenges and discover their own potential both on and off the water. "With my immense love for kayaking, it just makes sense to me to share my passion, create new paddlers and help grow the industry," says Heather.

Course Requirements:

1. Must be at least 18 years old to participate
2. Be (or become) a member of the ACA and the Safety, Education and Instruction Committee (SEIC)
3. Full completion of the course (attendance, homework, exams, etc)
4. Maintain sufficient first aid and CPR certifications

Please note that attendance alone will not guarantee certification. Participants must demonstrate skills and pass the ICE in order to be recognized by the ACA. Course will run 8:30 am - 6:00 pm all days with some evening work.

Dive deeper into your own kayaking by learning the methods and techniques used by the nation's best instructors and call us today to reserve you spot for the ACA Kayak Instructor Training Course.