Level 4 ACA Swiftwater Rescue Course
This two-day class is specifically aimed at teaching Swiftwater rescue techniques to commercial raft guides.
Participants will be given a Level 4 ACA card upon successful completion of the class.
Prerequisites:
This course is only available to commercial river guides or river guides who volunteer for institutional/non-profit groups
This course is not available to people who are planning to attend guide school just prior to the course. It is preferable that students have had at least 1 year of commercial guiding experience before signing up. Exceptions can be made for lifelong boaters who have newly become commercial guides. Please contact us for further details.
It is preferable that everyone who signs up is over the age of 18. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further details.
This course is not available to private boaters. We offer this course as a service to our industry which is reflected by the low cost. We are not a Swiftwater Rescue Training business; this training is outsourced to a professional instructor. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Participants are required to bring:
- A suitable PFD (USGC Type V)
- Helmet
- Closed-toe shoes suitable for walking/wading in the river environment
- Wetsuit or drysuit and clothing suitable for spending extended periods of time in the water
- A throw bag (boat bag or waist bag is fine)
- Lunch and snacks to get through a long day of river time
- Participants are also encouraged to bring:
Any other safety/rescue gear you typically carry with you i.e. river knife, webbing, locking carabiners, prussics.
A whistle attached to your PFD
Quick Facts
- Location: South Fork American River
- Schedule:
- May 21-22, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
- May 23-24, 2026 (Sat-Sun)
- Duration: 2 full days
- Meet Time: 8 am
- Finish Time: 5 pm
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Cost: $275 per person
- Certification: Level 4 ACA Certification
The course will be held at the Nugget: 7900 S Fork Rd, Placerville, CA 95667
Please be advised: There will not be enough time to leave the Nugget for lunch breaks, so please pack a lunch. There will be potable water and bathrooms available on-site.