ACA ACA Trip Planning & Leadership 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'float plan' before a paddling trip?
- A document describing the type of flotation devices being used
- A record left with a responsible person detailing the trip route, participants, and expected return time (Correct answer)
- A plan for floating downstream in the event of a capsize
- A financial plan for purchasing new paddling equipment
Correct answer: A record left with a responsible person detailing the trip route, participants, and expected return time
A float plan left with a trusted contact enables search and rescue to be activated quickly if the group does not return as expected.
Question 2: What is the recommended ACA student-to-instructor ratio for a beginner flatwater kayaking class?
- 1:1
- 3:1
- 6:1 (Correct answer)
- 12:1
Correct answer: 6:1
ACA guidelines recommend a maximum of 6 students per instructor (6:1) for beginner flatwater kayaking to ensure adequate supervision and instruction.
Question 3: Before leading a group on a new river section, what should an ACA instructor always do?
- Trust their experience and paddle it without prior preparation
- Scout the route, review gauge data, and assess hazards in advance (Correct answer)
- Have students sign liability waivers and proceed immediately
- Wait for a sunny day and high water levels
Correct answer: Scout the route, review gauge data, and assess hazards in advance
Pre-trip scouting, reviewing current water levels via gauge data, and hazard assessment are essential instructor responsibilities before bringing students to an unfamiliar section.
Question 4: What does 'reading water' mean in river trip planning?
- Reviewing river maps and guidebooks
- Observing the river's surface features to identify currents, hazards, and routes before paddling (Correct answer)
- Monitoring weather reports for precipitation
- Calculating the river's flow rate using mathematical formulas
Correct answer: Observing the river's surface features to identify currents, hazards, and routes before paddling
Reading water means interpreting surface patterns — such as eddies, waves, and hydraulics — to understand what the current is doing and choose a safe line.
Question 5: What is a 'shuttle' in the context of a paddle trip, and how does it affect trip planning?
- A ferry service that transports gear between campsites
- Moving vehicles from the put-in to the take-out so paddlers can do a one-way trip (Correct answer)
- A paddling stroke used to cross a current
- An emergency evacuation plan for the group
Correct answer: Moving vehicles from the put-in to the take-out so paddlers can do a one-way trip
A shuttle involves leaving vehicles at both the starting point (put-in) and ending point (take-out) so the group can complete a one-way river run.
Question 6: When selecting a put-in and take-out for a student group, what is the most important safety consideration?
- Proximity to a restaurant for post-paddle meals
- Ease of water access, manageable current at the launch, and safe egress for all skill levels (Correct answer)
- Availability of free parking
- Distance from the nearest town to ensure a wilderness experience
Correct answer: Ease of water access, manageable current at the launch, and safe egress for all skill levels
Safe access and egress points are critical — difficult put-ins and take-outs cause accidents before and after the paddling itself.
ACA ACA Trip Planning & Leadership 1
What is the purpose of a 'float plan' before a paddling trip?