Begin Your Adventure.

We connect diverse communities by fostering a shared commitment to safety and stewardship, and by providing opportunities for challenge, achievement, and fun through paddlesports.

ACA SUPPORTS PADDLERS IN MANY WAYS. HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TODAY?

Competition information and events, classes and instructor certifications, stewardship opportunities, advocacy for clean water and access to public lands, insurance for clubs, event organizers & others. We’re here to help.

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Hurricane Helene Relief Resources

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with…
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Hurricane Helene Relief Resources

Upcoming Events

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09.06.24 – 10.18.24

Overpeck County Park, Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ, USA

Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking Skills Course
10.07.24 – 10.13.24

Bern, Switzerland

Level 1-4: Whitewater Canoeing Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
10.07.24 – 10.10.24

Long Beach, CA, USA

Level 2: Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
10.07.24 – 10.11.24

Bern, Switzerland

Level 1-4: Whitewater Canoeing Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)
10.07.24 – 10.31.24

North Point High School, Davis Road, Waldorf, MD, USA

Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Skills Course
10.09.24 – 10.12.24

Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort, Main Street, Charlemont, MA, USA

Level 3: River Canoeing Instructor Certification Exam (ICE only)
10.10.24 – 10.10.24

Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA

Level 3: Coastal Kayaking Skills Assessment
10.10.24 – 10.11.24

Oak Hill, WV, USA

Level 5: Advanced Whitewater Rafting – Paddle & Oar Instructor Certification Exam (ICE)

Join ACA

As a member of the ACA, you join the ranks of tens of thousands of people who support safe, enjoyable paddling, and the protection of America’s recreational waterways. Click below to learn about the tangible and intangible benefits of supporting the nation’s oldest paddlesport organization.

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Monthly Membership Newsletter Archive

Have some news or content to share? Submit your story or photographs with this form.

September 2024

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February 2024

January 2024

2023 Membership Newsletter Archive

2022 Membership Newsletter Archive

acapaddlesports

National Governing Body for paddlesports in the U.S.
🇺🇸🛶
Serving paddlers since 1880 — education, community, competition, stewardship & public policy.

Hurricane Helene has carved a 500-mile path of des

Please join us in congratulating Dave Bumgarner — ACA’s Instructor of the Month for September 2024!
👏👏👏

Dave is an instructor trainer for whitewater kayaking, swiftwater rescue, and packrafting as well as an instructor for whitewater canoeing. Dave also is a member of the ACA Swiftwater Rescue Committe.

Dave is an exemplary instructor and instructor trainer whose impact extends beyond the borders of the United States. Paddling is for everyone, and Dave makes it a priority to ensure his students can learn in safe and fun environments, no matter who they are or where they come from.

Based in Colorado, and the founder and lead instructor for the Gunnison Kayak Program, Dave most often teaches on the Gunnison River near Crested Butte, Colorado. He has also traveled to bring ACA instructor courses to paddlers abroad.

He taught the first ACA packraft instructor courses in China and the first ACA swiftwater rescue instructor course in Chile. Dave will be returning to China to run a couple more packraft instructor courses and he highly recommends that ACA instructors expand their reach outside the United States.

For more, click the link in our bio!

The 2024 ICF SUP World Championship is coming to N

Today, Blake competed against the top men’s va’a athletes in the world on a windy course at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium during the last day of paracanoe racing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Though he missed out on silver by 3 hundredths of a second (0.03 seconds) he fought hard against a really competitive field and is thrilled to come home with the bronze for Team USA. The crowd was also huge and really supportive which was a wonderful difference from how Covid impacted the Tokyo games. Next up: LA28!

Blake had a blazing fast semi earlier in the morning, and for about an hour he held the Paralympic record. The Brazilian gold medalist, Fernando Rufino de Paulo then set a new record in the final.

Congratulations Blake on your second Paralympic medal in the Men’s Va’a Single 200m - VL2 event!

📸: Elsa / Getty Images

In her Paralympic debut at Paris 2024, Jillian Elw

The competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is s

The USA Freestyle Nationals and Team Trials took p

Paracanoe racing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics sta

Today!! Kick off the #ParisParalympics with @TeamU

As far as Jamilah Toure knows, she is the only bla

Congratulations to ACA Instructor of the Month, Br

Representing Team USA at the #ParisParalympics —

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Begin Your Adventure.

ACA SUPPORTS PADDLERS IN MANY WAYS. HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TODAY?

News

Hurricane Helene Relief Resources

Trip Report: Outdoor Alliance 10-Year Anniversary D.C. Fly-in

Paris 2024 Witnesses a Stunning Paralympic Debut by Jillian Elwart and a Medal Winning Performance by Blake Haxton.

Paris 2024 Paralympics – How to Watch Paracanoe

Universal Paddling – Enhancing Communication on the Water

ACA Surf Kayak Revival 2024

Hurricane Helene Relief Resources

Upcoming Events

Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking Skills Course

Level 1-4: Whitewater Canoeing Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)

Level 2: Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding Instructor Certification Workshop (IDW/ICE)