2. The American Canyoneering Association (ACA) is the premier
source for training, certification, and services for recreational
canyoneers, canyon guides, and rescue professionals in the
United States, Canada, and Latin America. Learn more…
3. The ACA is a non-profit
organization founded in 1999 that
was created with the purpose of ...
• Promoting safety, self-reliance, and
ethics through education.
• Facilitating the exchange of ideas and
information among an international
canyoneering community.
• Providing venues for networking between
canyoneers; regionally, nationally, and
internationally.
4. The ACA Provides Education and Training
The ACA is the only internationally-recognized
organization in America that offers technical
canyoneering courses, as well as professional
canyon guide and canyon rescue certifications.
Through the courses, workshops, rendezvous,
meetups, and informative online forums, the
ACA continues to be instrumental in setting
standards and providing leadership for the
canyoneering community.
5. Connect With Canyon Rendezvous
Other Canyoneers The ACA’s Canyon Rendezvous offer canyoneers a
totally unique way to discover new canyons while
• Discover New Canyons giving them an opportunity to make new friends,
share ideas and information, and to learn new
skills and techniques. The original intent of the
• Meet like-minded people Canyon Rendezvous was to provide canyoneering
students with opportunities to practice their skills
• Learn tricks of the trade and techniques. These fun gatherings have
become a favorite benefit for ACA members.
During Canyon Rendezvous, volunteers organize
• Improve canyoneering skills
canyoneering trips each day, intended for
canyoneers of various skill levels. Other
• Have fun & make friends rendezvous activities typically include skills
workshops, gear demos, slide and film
presentations, gear swaps, door prizes, and
raffles. Learn more…
6. Other Ways to Connect
Canyoneering Meetups BSA Climbing and Canyoneering
Meetups
ACA Canyoneering Meetup events include These meetups provide a resource for Boy
informal get-togethers, canyoneering Scout leaders who want to provide
trips, workshops, and practice climbing/rappelling, and canyoneering
sessions. Many of these events are programs for their units. Participation
free and open to the public. Some may is open to active Scouters throughout
require a small fee to cover expenses. the western United States and beyond.
Others may be open only to members Posted events will include Climb On
of the American Canyoneering Safely, BSA Climbing Instructor,
Association. Canyoneering Leader courses, and
Scout Leader only canyoneering trips
.
7. Recreational Canyoneering
Courses:
Despite the increased popularity in canyoneering as
an adventure sport in recent years, many people
are still unaware of the inherent risks and the
complex technical skills required to enjoy this
exciting sport safely. The American Canyoneering
Association established the standard curriculum
for recreational canyoneers that follows three skill
level checklists and provides the most
comprehensive technical training available. The
curriculum is designed to enhance safety,
efficiency, and enjoyment for canyoneers of all
experience levels. Recreational canyoneering
courses are offered through ACA accredited
schools. Learn more…
8. Training Leaders & Guides
Professional Guide Certification: One of the goals of the American
Canyoneering Association is to raise the technical and professional
standards of canyoneering guides in North America and Latin America to
an international standard. The ACA is the only internationally recognized
organization in the Americas offering training and certification programs for
canyoneering guides. As a result, the ACA has drawn hundreds of guiding
students and certification candidates from across the U.S., Canada,
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and from around
the world. Learn more…
Canyon Leader Training: The ACA's Canyon Leader credential is intended
for recreational canyoneers who wish to facilitate canyoneering programs
in group settings such as scouts, universities, camps, schools, clubs and
for the ACA. Learn more…
9. Professional Rescuer Training & Certification
The ACA's Canyon Rescue Technician Course provides
students with highly-specialized skills and techniques for
rescue in extreme canyoneering situations. Special
emphasis is placed on applying these skills and
techniques in confined space and strong water current.
Students will work through a number of practical
exercises presented as "what if" scenarios. Canyon
Rescue Technician is an ideal course for professional
rescuers, Search and Rescue (SAR) team members,
backcountry rangers, and law enforcement officials who
must access technical canyon terrain. Learn more…
10. ACA’s Online Forum:
• Photo Gallery The ACA’s online forum offers members and
invaluable library of information and
• Videos and Multi-media resources related to canyoneering. The ACA
forum provides a wealth of information
including videos, a link directory of resources
• Link Directory and much more. Learn more….
• Trip Reports
• Blogs
•Multiple technical
canyoneering forums
