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Join the ACA

Join a community that’s been paddling toward a safer, cleaner, and more accessible future for over 145 years. ACA members are at the heart of paddlesports education, environmental stewardship, and waterway advocacy nationwide.

When you become a member, you’re not just signing up – you’re joining a movement that:

  • Protects the places we paddle. Your membership supports waterway stewardship and conservation initiatives across the country.
  • Empowers safer paddling. You help grow safety education, instructor training, and community outreach that save lives on the water.
  • Builds paddling connections. Gain access to local clubs, events, and a nationwide network of paddlers who share your passion.
  • Provides exclusive benefits. Enjoy discounts on courses and gear, educational resources, and access to member-only updates.
  • Amplifies your voice. ACA advocates for policies that protect public access and promote paddlesports at every level.

Join today and help strengthen the paddling community—one stroke at a time.

Join the ACA

Individual Membership Types

 

$40 Individual Annual Membership

For those who are interested in supporting the ACA’s stewardship & public policy efforts, would like to benefit from being a part of an international network of likeminded individuals, wish to participate in ACA instruction & education courses, and are interested in or are in the process of becoming a certified ACA Instructor, Leader, or Guide.

 

$40 Competition Individual Annual Membership

For those who participate in local, regional, and national competitions as an athlete, official, judge, or competition volunteer, would like to support paddlesports competition, and are interested in receiving competition and discipline specific correspondence.

  • Individual
  • Competition Individuals
  • Level-Up Your Membership

    • The Individual Annual Membership cost is $40.

    This membership type is for individuals who:

    • Are interested in supporting the ACA’s stewardship & public policy efforts
    • Would like to benefit from being a part of an international network of likeminded individuals
    • Wish to participate in ACA instruction & education courses
    • Are interested in or are in the process of becoming a certified ACA Instructor

    Memberships expire annually, one-year after the original join date or the most recent renewal date. An auto renewal option is available and encouraged!

    As a first step in the join process, you will be prompted to select your Paddle America Club affiliation (PAC). If you are not a member of a PAC, please select ACA Member (No Club Affiliation).

    *ACA dues payments are non-refundable.

    For prospective ACA instructors: please join as an Individual and pay your SEIC dues. Upon the successful completion of your Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) and CMS requirements, your membership type will be changed to Instructor. At that time, you will be included in the “find an instructor” feature and have access to instructors only pro deals and discounts.

    The Competition Individual Annual Membership cost is $40.

    This membership is for individuals who:

    • Participate in local, regional, and national competitions as an athlete, official, judge or competition volunteer
    • Would like to support paddlesports competition
    • Are interested in receiving competition and discipline specific correspondence

    All Competition Individual memberships expire annually on December 31st. We highly recommend that Competition Individual Members choose the auto-renewal option to prevent a membership lapse.

    Competition members are required to electronically sign the Athlete Code of Conduct each year and to confirm that they are currently in compliance with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport’s education requirements.

    Competition License

    In addition to the $40 Competition Individual Annual Membership, you must purchase an $80 Competition License if you are an athlete 18 years or older, official, coach, or volunteer who participates in a National or International competition in any ICF discipline (including any qualification or selection event leading to these competitions, ex. Team Trials)

    Individuals purchasing a competition license also must comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport education requirements and complete an NCSI background check every two years or as required by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

    Additional Benefits of purchasing a Competition License:

    • Access to the ACA’s Competition Insurance program which includes:
      • Additional liability protection via Sexual Abuse and Molestation coverage
      • Participant Accident insurance coverage
    • Ability to select athlete representatives to the:
      • ACA’s Board of Directors and important board committees
      • The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Athlete Advisory Council
      • Other Governing Competition Committees

    Primary & Secondary Competition Disciplines

    As part of the join/renew process, Competition Individuals are asked to select their primary and secondary competition discipline. These selections help us to narrow our communications and send you more of the content that interests you most.

    The response to the primary competition discipline question determines:

    • The athlete’s discipline-level voting rights for discipline-specific positions
    • For example – the Paracanoe representative to the Board of Directors is elected only by athletes who select Paracanoe as their primary discipline

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Do I have to purchase a Competition License to race in local and regional races?
      You only need to purchase a Competition License to compete in team trials, nationals, or internationally.
    2. Do I have to purchase a Competition License if I am on a National Team in an ICF discipline that is not an Olympic discipline?
      You need to purchase a Competition License to compete in team trials, nationals, or internationally even if your discipline is not an Olympic discipline (Sprint, Slalom, or Paracanoe).

    Upgrade your ACA membership to the next level to unlock exclusive merchandise and make an even greater impact on paddlesports access, advocacy, and community. Your upgraded support keeps our mission moving forward: helping expand education programs, train more instructors, support athletes, and advocate for safe, accessible waterways for all paddlers. You can choose to upgrade with the following elevated membership tiers:

    • Blue Paddle – $90
      • ACA Coffee Mug
    • Bronze Paddle – $150
      • ACA Tote Bag
    • Silver Paddle – $250
      • ACA Hat
    • Gold Paddle – $500
      • ACA Insulated Tumbler
    • Green Paddle – $1000
      • ACA Plush Blanket

Organization Member Types

  • Paddle America Club (PAC)
  • Affiliate Organization
  • Outfitters, Liveries, and Guides (OLG)
  • Pro School

    • The PAC Annual Membership cost is $125.

    ACA Paddle America Clubs provide positive, fun experiences for paddlers across the nation!

    The club President or contact person should complete the join process for the Paddle America Club. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Membership or Insurance Departments for help with any questions you might have about this process!

    Paddle America Club benefits include:

    • Year-round general liability insurance for club supervised events and activities
    • Risk management education and guidelines designed specifically for club events
    • Ability to list your events on ACA’s online events calendar
    • Inclusion in the Find a Paddling Club feature on the ACA website
    • Club Express Discount

    The Affiliate Organizations Annual Membership cost is $125.

    This membership type is for event organizers and other industry participants who wish to affiliate with the ACA for marketing purposes or to access our insurance program.

    Benefits:

    • Permission to use the ACA name and logo on marketing materials
    • Ability to list your events on ACA’s online events calendar
    • Ability to request insurance coverage for paddling events and competitions

    Organizations interested in marketing their events via ACA social media platforms, newsletter, and other media can join at one of the higher affiliate levels and should contact our Membership Department for additional information.

    The Outfitters, Liveries, and Guides (OLG) Annual Membership cost is $125.

    This membership type is designed exclusively for outfitters, liveries, and guides (OLG).

    Benefits:

    • By meeting certain criteria, OLG members become eligible for discounted pricing on various insurance policies – from basic protection to coverage for complex and unique on-water activities
    • Inclusion on the ACA’s Find an Outfitter, Livery & Guide webpage
    • Opportunity to be featured in ACA communications

    A portion of the proceeds from the OLG Insurance Program will help support the ACA’s mission of building inclusive paddling communities, supporting excellence, and fostering safety and stewardship through paddlesports education, competition, and recreation.

    The Pro School Annual Membership cost is $650.

    To qualify for this membership type, the organization must have continually operated as a paddlesports school for a minimum of 4 consecutive years, comply with paddlesports best practices, have the appropriate ACA Instructor certifications for lead staff, and offer a discount to ACA members on certain programs.

    More information about ACA Pro School:

    If your school or organization is interested in being recognized as an ACA Pro School, please contact the Membership Department.