ACA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ACA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What should instructors emphasize about wildlife interaction? → Avoid contact, maintain distance, and never feed wildlife
2. In an ACA paddling curriculum, what is the 'catch' phase of a stroke? → The moment the blade first enters the water
3. What is the primary function of an eddy in river rescue operations? → To provide calm water where rescuers and victims can rest and regroup
4. What is a 'hydraulic' (also called a 'hole') in river hydrology? → A recirculating feature where water flows back upstream after dropping over an obstacle
5. Which learning style benefits most from a 'feel it first' approach before receiving verbal instruction? → Kinesthetic learner
6. A hydraulic (keeper hole) is most dangerous because: → It recirculates water and objects continuously, trapping swimmers
7. Which technique is used to move a canoe sideways toward a dock without changing its heading? → Draw stroke
8. When teaching a sweep stroke to beginners, which instructional sequence follows the EDGE model correctly? → Explain → Demonstrate → Guide → Enable
9. During a multi-day canoe course, an instructor notices student fatigue affecting attention in afternoon sessions. The BEST adjustment is to: → Shift complex skill instruction to mornings and use afternoons for consolidation paddling
10. When camping on a riverbank, what is the recommended minimum distance from the water's edge to set up a camp kitchen? → 100 feet (30 meters)
11. What is the function of a 'painter line' (or bow line) on a canoe? → Securing the canoe to a dock, tree, or vehicle, and assisting in rescue and lining
12. What is feathering in paddle technique? → Turning the paddle blade during the recovery to reduce wind resistance
13. What is 'Leave No Trace' and why is it important? → It promotes minimal impact practices to protect the environment
14. Which ACA policy requires instructors to report incidents involving student injuries? → Incident Reporting Policy
15. What is the key biomechanical principle behind an efficient forward paddle stroke? → Rotating the torso to engage core and large back muscles
16. What causes a 'pourover' on a river? → Water flowing over a completely submerged rock creating a hydraulic below
17. Which rescue method should an ACA instructor attempt FIRST when a paddler swims in a rapid? → Throwing a rescue bag
18. According to ACA standards, what is the maximum recommended student-to-instructor ratio for a basic kayak class? → 6:1
19. What is 'wading rescue' and when does ACA recommend it over swimming rescue? → Wading is used in shallow, moderate current where the rescuer can maintain footing safely
20. What is the purpose of 'feathering' a kayak paddle? → To reduce wind resistance on the out-of-water blade
21. What is the advantage of a drysuit over a wetsuit for ACA cold-water instruction? → Drysuits keep the paddler completely dry and allow thermal layering
22. How can an instructor adapt to different learning styles? → By using a mix of visual, auditory, and hands-on techniques
23. What is the role of an ACA instructor regarding environmental stewardship? → To promote and model responsible environmental behavior
24. In ACA instructional design, what does 'progressive skill building' primarily mean? → Introducing increasingly complex skills that build upon previously learned foundations
25. Why is it important to pre-position safety swimmers or kayakers at a rapid before running it with students? → To ensure rescuers are in place to assist if a student swims
26. During a pool session, a beginner panics after capsizing. What is the instructor's FIRST priority? → Reassure the student and ensure physical safety first
27. What is the ACA's recommended student-to-instructor ratio for a beginner flatwater kayak course? → 6:1
28. Why is it important for an ACA instructor to inspect equipment before every paddle session? → To identify worn or defective equipment that could fail during the session
29. When sequencing skill instruction in an ACA kayak course, which principle should guide the order of topics? → Introduce skills from simple and safe to complex, with each skill building on the previous
30. A student struggles to hold a ferry angle in moving water. What is the most likely cause? → Not maintaining a consistent angle relative to the current