Canyoneering is not a new sport; it has been around for decades. It has, however, enjoyed a tremendous surge in popularity over the past several years. Unfortunately, many of the people who are discovering this exciting sport remain unaware of the inherent risks and the complex technical skills required to enjoy it safely. The rope skills learned from rock climbing and rappelling are a good start, but will prove to be inefficient, and sometimes dangerous, in an aquatic or semi-aquatic canyon environment.
Since 1999, the American Canyoneering Association (ACA) has been the premier source for training, technical information and services for recreational canyoneers, canyon leaders, guides and rescue professionals in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia and around the globe.
The ACA Curriculum
The curriculum follows a series of Skills Checklists and represents the most comprehensive technical training available, designed to enhance safety, efficiency and enjoyment for canyoneers of all experience levels.
Core Skills Course
Intro to Canyoneering provides students with the basic personal canyoneering skills needed to descend easy canyons as team members with competent leaders and mentors. The Core Skills checklist is the basis for this course.
Sovereign Canyoneer Course
Technical Canyoneering provides students with the intermediate anchor, rigging and on-rope skills needed to become contributing team members with competent leaders and mentors. The Sovereign Skills checklist is the basis for this course.
Aspirant Course
Aspirant Canyon Leader Prep provides students with the necessary skills needed to become effective assistants to Canyon Leaders. The Aspirant Skills checklist is the basis for this course.
Assistant Canyon Leader Course
Assistant Canyon Leader Prep provides students with the necessary skills needed to become effective assistants to Canyon Leaders. The Assistant Canyon Leader Skills checklist is the basis for this course.
Canyon Leader Course
Canyon Leader Prep provides students with the necessary skills needed to become effective canyon leader for a recreational canyoneering group. The Canyon Leader Skills checklist if the basis for this course.
Canyon Rescue Course
Canyon Rescue provides students with companion rescue skills needed to become self sufficient problem-solvers for most canyon problems. The Aspirant, Assistant Canyon Leader, and Canyon Leader rescue skills are the basis for this course.
Seek instruction from ACA Guides/Instructors who follow the ACA Curriculum to learn skills from the ACA's Core, Aspirant, Assistant Canyon Leader, & Canyon Leader Skills Checklists. Get out and descend canyons. Lots of canyons. Practice your skills. The key to becoming a good leader or guide is to become accomplished in the sport.
Visit the ACA Canyoneering Meetup Group for the 2022 Course and Workshop Calendar.
