During our Annual meeting on Sunday, November 24 we announced the incredible and very deserving recipients of the 2024 ACA Annual Awards. This series of prestigious international awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients!
Excellence in Instruction Award: Rob Carmichael
The prestigious Excellence in Instruction Award is presented to an ACA member for his or her outstanding contribution to paddlesports education and instruction. Oftentimes referred to as the “Instructor of the Year Award,” the recipients of this award have continuously set the example not only in teaching ability and technical skill, but in professionalism, connectivity, and service to students of every background. It is our honor to present the 2024 Excellence in Instructor Award to Rob Carmichael.
Rob is the Director of Outdoor Experiential Education at UWC Thailand International School in Phuket, Thailand. In this role, he has pioneered a dynamic outdoor education program and established an outdoor education center which integrates paddlesports into the experiential learning model delivered across the entire school community. The programs he oversees allow students to forge meaningful connections with the outdoors through consistent and regular structured engagement, from early years to senior students. As an ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer, Rob leads procedural implementation in many interwoven programs, empowering both UWC staff and senior students to become skilled, safety-conscious leaders. This structure of progressively challenging outdoor experiences is a testament to Rob’s dedication to fostering personal growth and resilience in students, and his organizational skill and attention to risk management ensure on-water experiences are both safe and transformative.
A testament to his adaptability, Rob has shown a commitment to empowering paddlers with a range of disabilities both physical and sensory. By sharing his experiences and advocating for inclusivity, Rob not only inspires those around him but also emphasizes the importance of accessible outdoor education for everyone. With an unwavering commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning, Rob exemplifies the values celebrated by the ACA Award for Excellence in Instruction. His transformative contributions have propelled UWC Thailand into a globally recognized leader in outdoor experiential education, setting an international benchmark for integrating adventure-based learning within academic settings. Through his work, he not only shapes the next generation of skilled, safety-conscious paddlers but also inspires young people to be conscientious stewards of the natural world, empowering them to carry these principles forward as lifelong paddlers and advocates for the environment.
Sanctioned Event of the Year Award: ACA Rafting Rendezvous
The Sanctioned Event of the Year Award is presented to the top ACA sanctioned event as nominated by the overarching ACA membership. We are pleased to announce the ACA Rafting Rendezvous as the 2024 Sanctioned Event of the Year! There are a multitude of reasons why this event was so impactful—and one of those was simply the leadership, professionalism, and organizational excellence that was illustrated by the SEIC Rafting Committee. Each member of this committee played a critical role in the development of the event program, the venue selection, forging relationships with event sponsors, and the roll out of a new ACA curriculum that promotes unity, safety, and fun across the rafting industry that plays a huge role in the outdoor recreation market in the United States and abroad.
We would like to give a special shoutout to Elisha McArthur, Jeff Cogle, Marcel Bieg, Jess Lewis, Byron Beers, Brent Roth, Kevin Tyrell, Tom Burroughs, and all others who made this event so noteworthy. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work in hosting the 2024 ACA Sanctioned Event of the Year.
Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation Award: Wild Science Explorers’ Nez Perce Natural History and Paddling Project
The Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation Award is presented annually to an individual or a group that has made an outstanding contribution to paddlesports by protecting the waterways paddlers know and love.
We are pleased to honor Wild Science Explorers’ Nez Perce Natural History and Paddling Project as the recipient of this year’s Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation award. Based in McCall, Idaho, this program engaged low-income Nez Perce Native American teenage tribal members in a 5-day science and stewardship rafting education trip down the Lower Salmon River. This trip was conducted in part to develop awareness of Nez Perce natural history and apply that to present day environmental issues in the Lower Salmon River corridor which has been traditionally used by the Nez Perce for hundreds of years.
The program was a step into Wild Science Explorers’ Guide in Training class – and the teens who attended the 2024 rafting trip obtained not only guiding and conservation leadership skills – but have also had the great opportunity to meet tribal leaders and exchange stories about their culture and their heritage. Thank you, Wild Science Explorers, for your commitment to the multiple facets of waterway conservation – and for providing young paddlers with an avenue to recognize and engage with their history via the Lower Salmon River.
Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year Award: Anna Levesque & Trey Rouss
The Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to one or more volunteers each year for extraordinary service at the local, regional, or national level. We cannot even begin to detail or describe the depth of commitment by this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award recipients, Anna Levesque and Trey Rouss.
As Chair and Vice Chair of the SEIC, they have paved the way and set the example for inclusive, student-centered, and holistic education and instructional programming that bridges the gap between paddling and learning through life’s many other dynamic environments. Anna and Trey were instrumental in the success of ACA’s LEAD programs this year, the Level 1-2 Regional Instructor Updates, the soon-to-be-launched leadership pathways program, the growth of the Instructor, Trainer, and Educator cadre, and overall connectivity that threads through students, instructors, committees, staff, and the ACA board of directors. We can think of no one more deserving of the 2024 Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year Award. Thank you so much for pouring your time, talents, energy, and heart into the mission of the ACA.
J. Henry Rushton Award for Organizational Excellence: Paddlesports Trade Coalition
J. Henry Rushton Award for Organizational Excellence is presented annually to an organization or other group for outstanding achievements in advancing paddlesports and the mission of the ACA. With this award we would like to recognize the Paddlesports Trade Coalition—whose member organizations are dedicated to advocating for and promoting the strength of the paddlesports industry in North America and supporting commerce and inclusive access in coordinated efforts to expand a vibrant community of participants in all human and sustainably-powered boating activities. The leaders and members of the PTC are collaborative, authentic, and passionate teams of brands, retailers, outfitters, and sales representatives who influence, advocate, and foster growth and development within the paddlesports market segment.
The PTC Collab Event held in Oklahoma City, OK earlier this fall was just a small illustration of their success to come, and the ACA would like to recognize the excellence in planning, organization, and team-work that brought together and inspired different yet complementary corners of our community.
Havens Leadership Award: Risa Shimoda
Risa Shimoda (left), recipient of the Havens Leadership Award
Havens Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose practices and behaviors best serve the interests and success of USA paddlesports athletes. This year, we are pleased to honor Risa Shimoda with the Havens Leadership Award.
It seems like everywhere you look in the paddlesport world, you find Risa Shimoda connected to making things happen. This year, in the sphere of competitive paddling alone, Risa helped organize the 69th Annual CCA Downriver Race, attended the premier of the remastered classic film Fast and Clean, assisted in freestyle events around the country and still competes in Squirt boat. Risa is everywhere!
Under Risa’s leadership this year, the Competition Council has been reactivated and reinvigorated as representatives from discipline committees have been meeting on a regular basis to communicate what each discipline is doing, share ideas about best practices, help committees organize and become more structured, develop a coaches education resource, and more.
The bottom line is Risa is a paddler. She truly embodies a multidiscipline, collaborative approach to paddlesport promotion and thanks to Risa’s efforts, the future of paddlesport competition is bright.
Outstanding State Director Award: Anthea Raymond
The Outstanding State Director Award is presented to one or more State Directors each year for their contributions to enhancing paddlesports in their state. It is our honor to announce the recipient of this year’s Outstanding State Director Award—Anthea Raymond! Anthea currently serves as ACA California State Director and has served in many other ACA leadership positions in the past. Her continuous support of the ACA and enthusiasm for promoting the safe, fun growth of the paddlesports community is evident in her dedication, passion, and volunteerism. She has spearheaded many projects, including the “California Paddle Hero” awards, she built a renewed excitement for kayak surfing via the Surf Kayak Revival Event, and helped bring the Level 1-2 Regional Instructor Update event to California. The state of California has a stronger paddling community, not just because she helps make these things happen, but also because she consistently promotes paddling opportunities to make sure the word gets out and people are invited. Communication channels are a critical part of her mission. Congratulations, Anthea – and thank you so much for your amazing, impactful, and energetic work!
ACA President’s Award: Hurricane Helene First Responders
CHIMNEY ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 2: A civilian search and rescue team member, left, gives a hand to a member of NY Task Force One, a FEMA urban search and rescue team, as they hike along the Broad River in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 2, 2024 near Chimney Rock, North Carolina. Also known as NY-TF1, the group is comprised of members of the New York City Fire Department and the New York City Police Department. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
The ACA President’s Award is given by the President of the Board of Directors to individuals for outstanding service to the ACA on a national level. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene carved a 500-mile path of destruction throughout the Southeastern United States. In some communities, Helene served as a geological resurfacing event that swept award roads, bridges, and towns in its path. It will require months, if not years, to rebuild. In other areas, flood waters, winds and tornadoes contributed to significant loss of property, power, and water infrastructure and many lives were affected.
In devastating moments like this, we acknowledge and recognize the people who step up to make a difference, and several ACA leaders stepped up to help their communities recover in the immediate aftermath of this disaster. The ACA President’s Award is intended to recognize all the members of the community who volunteered, donated, and served in any role to help those affected by the hurricane – whether in a capacity to clean up, rebuild, bring supplies, or through serving in a rescue and recovery role. We are heartened to say that the number of members of the ACA community who stepped into one of these roles to help their neighbors are too numerous to count.
We would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following individuals as a representation of all the paddlers who responded to the call to help those in need.
- Chris Wing, ACA Instructor Trainer
- Trey Moore, ACA Instructor Trainer
- John Grace, Green River Conservation Project
- Erica Shanks, Green Riverkeeper
- Cooper Leist, Lance Buskey, and Sam Iatarola, of Helene Rebuild Cooperative
- French Broad River Academy’s Salamander Fund
- Dane Jackson
- Mason Hargrove
- Sarah Beth Neal of Outdoor Adventure Rafting
- Caleb Parchman of River Folk Rescue
- Leaders from USA Raft, Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute, Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts, Osprey Whitewater, Blue Ridge Paddling, and Mountain True
Thank you for helping organize and channel our community-wide contributions in the wake of Hurricane Helene. We know that there still is much work to be done – and we thank you in advance for everything you have and will do to rebuild a community so filled with passionate paddlers.
Legends of Paddling Award: Deb Volturno
Presented to one or more individuals each year for their legendary contributions to paddlesport. Recipients of this prestigious award are inducted into the ACA Hall of Fame. We are excited to welcome Deb Volturno into the ACA Hall of Fame and honor her with the Legends of Paddling Award. Deb’s status as a legend is not just made up of her significant accomplishments but is also formed by her impact on the sea kayaking community.
Deb is an American Canoe Association Level 5: Advanced Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer Educator and Level 4: Performance Surf Kayaking Instructor Trainer Educator. Many, or even most, of the instructors in the Pacific Northwest region have received training, assessment, and/or mentoring in their journeys from Deb. Deb is a key player in this critical time for the surf kayaking discipline and its current revival within the ACA. Deb has been a part of surf kayaking from the earliest days when there was just one class of surf kayaking, and she was a fixture in the Bay Area/Santa Cruz kayaking scene for a long time, participating in competitions and running the California Canoe & Kayak outpost in Half Moon Bay with future fellow Tsunami Ranger John Lull. Deb currently holds the rank of Captain of the Tsunami Rangers, an ocean adventure kayaking team that originated near San Francisco. A sea kayak surf champion, Deb was also a member of the US Surf Kayak Team, which she represented in numerous competitions put on by the World Surf Kayak Association across the world.
She is also one of the founding members of Surf Sirens, an instructional and community-building event, now expanded to New Zealand, focused on introducing more women to kayak surfing. From exploring traditional kayaking history through building both Inuit and Aleut skin-on-frame kayaks to paddling extensively all over the world—Alaska all along the west coast of the U.S. and Canada, Baja Mexico, Italy, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
Deb is not just an accomplished and talented paddler, she is also deeply committed to developing and contributing to the paddling community. She’s supports sea kayakers at all levels, and she also helped start Olympic Peninsula Paddlers, a kayak club in Port Angeles, Washington. Moreover, as evidenced by testimonials from various paddlers, Deb has had a tremendous impact on The Mountaineers sea kayaking community. She is not only a member who has taught numerous clinics for the club, she has also had an impact in one form or another in the training, certification, and mentoring of sea kayak leaders across various Mountaineer club branches who hold ACA sea kayaking instructor certifications. Much like her impact across the Pacific Northwest, Deb is a common thread in the influence of technical and teaching skills in the region, but more than that, she has influenced a collective endeavor to make sea kayaking more accessible, inclusive, and representative.