…hosted the inaugural Paddlesports Leadership Academy June 22-26, 2022 in Knoxville, TN. Collectively they developed the Leadership Academy as a program to train and mentor individuals from communities typically underserved by outdoor recreation as leaders on the water, and empower participants to transform their local communities by growing diverse representation…

…not just on the materials learned, but the critical decision making skills surrounding effective backcountry medical management. Upon course completion, participants will be eligible for up to 21.5 hours of Category 1 CME and Wilderness Medical Society Fellowship (FAWM) credit. Curriculum: The materials below above are covered via online (approximately…

The ACA is proud to honor certified instructors who have gone above and beyond, making profound impacts in their communities and to the sport of paddling overall. We hope you will join us in celebrating these terrific instructors and take a moment to nominate one who you think deserves recognition!…

Board Committee Descriptions: Each committee within our organization operates with diligence and professionalism, committed to advancing the Association’s mission and values through strategic oversight, ethical governance, and informed decision-making.   Executive Committee The Executive Committee stands at the forefront of leadership, comprising the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two…

…efforts actually enhance safety on the water. Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony to your Committee. I would be happy to answer any questions.   Respectfully Submitted. Brett Mayer Public Policy Chief P.O. Box 7996 Fredericksburg, VA 22404 bmayer@americancanoe.org 1* https://uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.php 2* https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/thought-leadership/2020/consumers-are-flocking-to-these-5-activities/#:~:text=%24172M,%24172M%20in%20June%202020 3* https://www.americancanoe.org/page/Course_SR 4* https://www.boaterexam.com/paddling/…

Competition Council Position Description Are you passionate about Paddlesport competition and eager to shape the future of athletic events in the United States? The American Canoe Association (ACA) Competition Committee might be the perfect fit for you. Even if you haven’t participated in a competition discipline at a national or…

…we are pleased to welcome Reina Kern as the new press officer and communications manager in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games. In her tenure, she will aid the ACA in producing media content and promoting paddlesports across the youth, development, and elite competition levels through various communications efforts….

…Federation) competitions. As Stand Up Paddling (SUP) continues to gain popularity and recognition as a thrilling water sport, the formation of the ACA SUP Competition Committee signifies a significant step forward in advancing the competitive landscape of paddleboard racing in the United States. The newly elected ACA SUP Competition Committee…

…*You must be currently certified within the discipline(s) for which you cast a vote. ACA Discipline Committees: Universal Paddling Committee (Click here to vote) Coastal Kayak Committee (Click here to vote) Rafting Committee (Click here to vote) River Canoe Committee (Click here to vote) River Kayak Committee (Click here to…

…dedicated to maximizing athletic potential, commit to an ongoing training program, and focus on a single sport during the season. Coaches choose competitions commensurate with an athlete’s skill level and appropriate levels outside their comfort zone. Successful athletes compete and perform well in elite national and international competitions.    …

…Committee members At-Large Members(2) International Representatives(2) Those elected to these roles will serve for the 2022-2023 term. Please click here to submit a self nomination. ACA Discipline Committees: Universal Paddling Committee Coastal Kayak Committee Touring/FreeStyle Canoe Committee Prone Paddling Committee Rafting Committee River Canoe Committee River Kayak Committee Stand Up…

…provide this coverage. Computer (EDP) Insurance — Protects against certain perils that commonly afflict computer hardware, software, and media, such as power surges, magnetic injury, and hard drive crash. Commercial Auto Insurance – Covers autos owned by the PAC or other covered entity. Also covers exposure for non owned autos…

…adventure but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on the communities who call the Amazon rainforest home. For more information on the challenge and how to participate, visit www.amazoncanoechallenge.com or contact info@amazoncanoechallenge.com. Contact: Carlos Heine, Race Director Email: contact@amazoncanoechallenge.com Mobile: +44 784 671 8313 Landline: +44 20 8144…

…discipline(s) for which you nominate yourself. Submit a self nomination here. ACA Discipline Committees: Coastal Kayak Committee Canoe Committee Packrafting Committee Rafting Committee River Kayak Committee Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Committee Safety & Rescue Committee Surf Kayak Committee Surfski Committee Universal Paddling Committee International Representatives: SEIC is also seeking International…

…and working with the other subcommittees for recommendations. We greatly appreciate the canoe/kayak community and are looking forward to coming together in this effort to further support our athletes. If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please contact the Sprint Committee chair, Alyson Mrozinski, at sprint.competition.committee@gmail.com….

…and underserved communities through youth and community groups, and (3) review how other elite athlete organizations address NGB legalities. At-Large Director Candidate Risa Shimoda – Takoma Park, Maryland Risa brings value through her varied paddling experiences across disciplines, and as a marketing and branding professional. She has competed in K1W,…

…recreational destination, enhancing the quality of life for our community and generating economic impact for our region. Sarasota County has entrusted the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy with the complete day-to-day care of this 600-acre community asset. As the stewards of the Park, the Conservancy tends to the complex maintenance, visitor…

…opportunities for lifetime competitive and recreational participation in hand-powered water sports including canoeing, kayaking, dragon boating, standup paddle boarding, and outrigger canoeing. Their Board of Directors consists of local volunteer community members who all share a passion for developing a vibrant, lasting program. Please join us in congratulating Northshore Canoe…

…comments about my body that make me uncomfortable. I have noticed that there has been a very specific pattern of the comments made towards me, a black woman, in comparison to my white coworkers. Most of the comments that people make about me are about my butt, my hair, my…

…say, ‘let me check this out.’” It is common for para-athletes to come from other sports to try their hand at a new skill. Many find that their athleticism takes them far while having new opportunities to compete on the national and international levels. Like Kington, Page attributes Haxton’s ongoing…

…in a long history of excellence. As one of ACA’s Paddle America Clubs, TVCC has further solidified their commitment to ACAs mission to further paddlesports education, stewardship, recreational opportunities, community, and even competition. TVCC has worked tirelessly in developing COVID-19 paddling protocols to be able to provide clinics. The Summer…

…the ACA Advanced Communications Workshop (ACW) program was developed!   In the words of ACA Instructor and Advanced Communications course participant, Robert Nissenbaum: “This workshop was invaluable. Immediately after getting on the water with both club outings and as an instructor, I was more aware of how I was communicating…

…planning teams for state parks engagement. Roland McDevitt represented the US Coast Guard Auxiliary on the planning team for the North Carolina initiative. Building Relationships Across the Paddling Community The May 20th classes were marked with a distinct feeling of the community coming together. The expertise from ACA instructors and…

…groups or individuals to pursue paddling education, leadership development, competition, and/or instructor certification. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training: The ACA Board of Directors sponsored multiple training and peer sharing opportunities to ACA leaders and members in an effort to grow a common understanding of inequity. L.L.Bean Club Fostered Community Grant:…

…of these events, they get it.” “At the surface, this event marks an incredible opportunity for ACA instructors and the paddling community to come together to offer community-based training as a special one-time per year opportunity and energize the community, but for the ACA, this event is much more than…

…website and to communicate more frequently and consistently about our mission, including public policy and stewardship efforts, educational resources and opportunities, and clearer explanations of what role competition (in particular, Olympic level competition) plays within the ACA. We are already starting to address these key take-aways from the survey responses….

…Competition Participants, including athletes, coaches, officials, and competition event volunteers. New Instructors who are in the process of completing an Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW). All other individual members. This segmentation enables us to communicate more specifically with different member groups and to offer services tailored to each group’s primary activities….

With the support of our members, we able to achieve our mission to build inclusive paddling communities, support excellence, and foster safety and stewardship through paddlesports education, competition, and recreation. Become a member today and join a network of individuals brought together by our shared love of all things paddling….

…for all ACA Sprint sanctioned events. ACA Sprint Racing Rules (2023) Updated: 05-07-2024 Download Preview   You may also wish to see the many resources for athletes on the Competition Athlete Resources page. Sprint Competition Bylaws Adopted December 1, 2023 Sprint Competition Committee Bylaws-v1-0 Updated: 12-05-2023 Download Preview Meeting Minutes…

…applicants must be ACA members. Eligible projects may focus upon paddling education, competition, stewardship initiatives, or any combination of the three. Priority will be given to applications from active paddling clubs or outdoor clubs that have a significant paddling component. Clubs are not required to be official 501(c) (3) not-for-profit…

…Committee purpose is to promote athletic competition in paddle sports at the local, regional, national and international levels. Staying committed to their mission, the group got creative and chose to offer the competition in a virtual format to encourage competitors to continue training, paddling, and staying involved. Each competitor submitted…

…of the executive committee, discipline committees, and other elected representatives. The roles and responsibilities of an SEIC voting member require collaborative work with other elected committee members to: Create and implement comprehensive safety and education programs Ensure accessibility across all skill levels and disciplines Oversee major paddlesports safety, education, and…

…made to create the slate we did. We encourage you all to be actively engaged members of the ACA by serving on committees and Boards so the organization can thrive through a diverse group of perspectives and experiences, and the open communication that comes from having engagement. As a nominating…

On behalf of the ACA Board of Directors, the SEIC Executive Committee, and SEI Department Staff, we want to say a very big and heart-felt “Thank you!” to all nominees for nominating yourself to serve within a SEIC Discipline Committee or International/At-Large role for the 2024-2025 term. ACA could truly…

…(younger than 18) athletes must complete the 90-Minute SafeSport Core online training module. This includes, but is not limited to: Adult Competition Member Athletes (18 years and older) traveling to sanctioned national and international competitions Officials & Judges Coaches Professional medical personnel (outside of a hospital or doctor’s office setting),…

…2007 and has included several volunteer positions: Secretary for the Safety, Education & Instruction Council and a voting member of the Safety & Rescue Discipline Committee. I’m pleased to share that our athlete community recently elected ACA’s Representative and Alternate Representative to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Athlete…

…come together to serve on committees focused on different growth areas for the ACA regionally, such as regional competitions, regional communications, regional diversity outreach and more. Experienced regional paddling leaders often find a good fit helping serve on these RAC Committees to grow these opportunities for other regional leaders nationwide….

…I wanted to make a difference in my community. I realized the best way I could make an impact would be in a community that I’ve been a part of for over 15 years — the paddling community. I wanted to bring Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) together…

Congratulations to the new members of the ACA Sprint Committee! We are incredibly grateful for their willingness to serve on this important committee and their dedication to the promotion of athletic competition in paddlesports. Please join us in welcoming our new members, Charles Luckman, Alyson Morse, Shelley Oates-Wilding, and Rami…

On behalf of L.L.Bean, the ACA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Club Fostered Community (CFC) Grant program. Each of the organizations listed below have shown dedication to increasing accessibility and equitable paddling opportunities for their communities. We look forward to witnessing and sharing in the success…

…asked why I couldn’t do it with hand paddles. Four years. Over the weekend after returning home, we were all very excited to share our excitement along with some photos to social media, and the emails and comments started coming in. “I am an exclusive hand paddler. Is it possible…

…Mountain College. These experiences drove Marcel to Alaska to complete his undergraduate degree in Outdoor Education at Alaska Pacific University. Upon completing his degree in 1998, Marcel began to work as a seasonal guide and instructor in several outdoor skill sets, and from 1998 to 2003 Marcel and his wife…

…the United States and an influence in the community and industry that influenced many beyond. He pioneered paddling practices and built the first fiberglass kayak in the Western US in 1956; completed first descents of many rivers in California from 1956-1965; claim a place as National Slalom Champion from 1960-1962;…