Canyoneering Guide Classes

Pura Vida Adventures is excited to announce that they will be offering the first American Canyoneering Academy Canyon Guide and Canyon Leader course in the southeast this spring.

Date: The five day course will run from March 27th-March 31st 2017 (daily 9am- approx. 5pm)

Location: Brevard, North Carolina

Cost $500 a person prior to March 1st, $600 after March 1st

Canyon Guide Classes

Course Description:  Fixed Site / Single Pitch Canyon Guide is a certification available to individuals who either (a) guide fewer than three canyons that all have similar characteristics, hydrology, and emergency response requirements, or (b) guide canyons rated no higher than 3-C2 with simple, straight-forward anchors and rigging (e.g. single-point natural anchors, bolted anchors, basic deadman anchors). To find out more about this certification please visit the following website.

Upon completion of the canyoneering guide classes participants will need to meet the following before receiving certification:

 Pass the ACA’s Level I Leader/Guide Assessment. (must be taken through another instructor)
Submit a Canyon Resume that reflects the following:

  • minimum of 100 canyon descents;
  • minimum of 2 unique canyons descended;
  • minimum of 10 canyons descended in which you performed in a lead or guide role, at least 3 of which must have been done with a current ACA-certified Pro Canyon Guide as mentor AFTER the Level I Assessment
Big Bradley Waterfall Rappel

Completing the first rappel into the pothole at Big Bradley

Canyon Leader
Course Description: ACA Canyon Leader Training is not a certification program. It is intended for individuals who facilitate canyoneering programs in group settings such as college outdoor recreation leaders, experiential education program instructors, wilderness therapy staff, camp directors, youth leaders, and recreational canyoneers looking to improve upon their technical skills. To learn more about the Canyon leader certification visit the following link: https://www.canyoneering.net/canyon-leader/
New 2017: Upon completion of the course, Canyon Leaders will not need a skills assessment, but will need to meet the following standards.
Create and maintain your member profile on the ACA’s website.
Submit a Canyon Resume that reflects the following:

  • minimum of 50 canyon descents;
  • minimum of 10 unique canyons descended;
  • minimum of 10 canyons descended in which you performed in a lead role, at least 3 of which must have been done with a current ACA Canyon Leader I or II as mentor AFTER the Level I Leader/Guide Course.
  • facilitating two Level 1 Skills Practice Sessions, each under the supervision of a Canyon Leader I or II

Instructor:  Joe Moerschbaecher owner PVA first commercial company to offer canyoneering in the southeast, certified American Canyon Guide Association. full bio
To register or for further information please email contact@pvadventures.com or call 772-579-0005 .

Pura Vida Adventures was the first company to run commercial canyoneering courses in the eastern US. Pura Vida Adventures is the only American Canyoneering Academy accredited guide service in the eastern US. www.pvadventures.com