Certification Process
& Transfer Method



Becoming an Assistant Guide

The following qualifications are required for ACSKG Assistant Guide Certification.

There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

SKGABC certified Assistant Overnight Guides and Paddle Canada Level Two Instructors are considered equivalent to ACSKG Assistant Guides and may apply to transfer to the ACSKG.

Guide Apprenticeship

A guide apprenticeship involves working as an assistant guide on commercial sea kayak trips.  There are essentially four ways to complete an apprenticeship in order to qualify to take the ACSKG Full Guide Exam:
  • 100 days apprenticeship with an ACSKG full guide.
  • 50 days apprenticeship with an ACSKG full guide plus a letter of recommendation from that guide.
  • 100 days apprenticeship with an non-ACSKG full guide in CWC Class II or III plus the approval of the ACSKG Evaluation Committee.
  • There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

Guides who qualify for a certification transfer may be able to obtain ACSKG certification without an apprenticeship or additional exams.

Becoming a Full Guide

The following qualifications are required for ACSKG Full Guide Certification.

There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

SKGABC certified Level Three Guides are considered equivalent to ACSKG Full Guides and may apply to transfer to the ACSKG.

ACSKG Certification Flowchart

Click each category for more information

Certification Transfer Method

ACSKG logoSKGABC certified guides, Paddle Canada instructors and those certified by other reputable sea kayak guide organizations may be eligible to transfer to the ACSKG without additional exams.  Current ACSKG approved wilderness first aid and CPR certificates are required.  Obtaining dual-certification is also an option.

SKGABC Certification Equivalence

Minimum transfer requirements are SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide, Paddle Canada Level Two Instructor, or CFOKE certification.  There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

There is no transfer or application fee; only the annual certification fee of $40 for assistant guides, or $100 for full guides.  There are no additional expenses; the ACSKG does not require attendance at annual guide's exchanges.

ACSKG Certification Flowchart

To apply, please gather all the required documents and send them attached to a single email: Transfers are approved on a case-by-case basis, processing generally takes one week.  Please provide the annual fee in advance.  You will receive a full refund if the ACSKG is not able to issue a certificate.

Comprehensive leadership courses may be eligible for ACSKG endorsement; graduates of endorsed courses may apply for ACSKG equivalency.

Please contact us for more information.


Class III Full Guide Endorsement

To be eligible as an ACSKG Class III Full Guide you must have operated as a Full Guide for 180 days in CWC Class II and logged at least 200 miles on CWC Class III.  You must also be recommended by another ACSKG Class III Guide.
ACSKG Class III Guides must first qualify for ACSKG Full Guide certification.

There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

SKGABC Class Four Waters Endorsement is considered equivalent to the ACSKG's Class III Full Guide Endorsement.
SKGABC Class Four Guides may apply to transfer to the ACSKG.

Class III waters can be extremely dangerous and require the utmost in caution and preparation.

Guide Instructor

To be eligible as an ACSKG Guide Instructor, you must have logged 300 days as a Full Guide, at least 200 of which were in CWC Class II.  You must also be recommended by another ACSKG Instructor.
ACSKG Guide Instructors must first qualify for ACSKG Full Guide certification.

There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.

Leadership Course Accreditation

ACSKG accredited guide training programs are provided by a number of companies & organizations.  To become accredited, prospective ACSKG leadership course providers may submit their curriculum and itinerary for review.  Accredited courses follow the ACSKG Leadership Course Curriculum.  Courses are taught by an ACSKG certified Guide Instructor plus an Assistant or Full Guide.

Guide Examiner

To be eligible as an ACSKG Guide Examiner, you must have logged 350 days as a Full Guide, at least 250 of which were in CWC Class II.  You must also be recommended by another ACSKG Examiner.
ACSKG Guide Examiners must first qualify for ACSKG Full Guide certification.
An Examiner may examine for a maximum of three years unless the Evaluation Committee determines to extend the term, in which case it is on an annual basis.

There is some flexibility for those applying with different, yet equivalent qualifications.  Applicants with less than the required logged days will be considered if they have applicable and comparable experience.  An ACSKG approved wilderness first aid certificate is required.


If discrepancies exist between ACSKG printed material and material published on the ACSKG website, the online content will be considered valid.  The most up-to-date content is published at:  ACSKG.ca

March's Photo of the Month

Photo of the Month

Marine Weather Forecast

Marine Weather - Environment Canada

Association Resources

ACSKG.ca
Since 1994