“Chronic Illness Took My Freedom: Kayaking Gave it Back!” by Kelly Rudolph
I came to paddling at a point in life when I knew something had to change. I was stuck —…
Kaycee Maas
“Paddling: A Life Transformed” by Risa Shimoda
Risa running Lava at over 40,000 CFS on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1983. My journey into…
Congratulations to the Winners of the Paddle with a SUP Pro Video Contest!
The ACA SEIC SUP Committee is excited to announce the winners of the first-ever Paddle with a SUP Pro Video…
“Following Waters” by Brett Mayer
I started kayaking over twenty years ago. I had just finished playing college soccer and was looking for my…
“Finding Great-Grandpa’s Island: A Massasauga Adventure” by Eric Slough
The water of Lake Erie is in my veins. From splashing around on the beach at my great grandfather’s…
“Learning from the River” by Jeff Oxenford
Before becoming an ACA instructor, I’d already spent years chasing water across the country. I was paddling classic whitewater…
“The Ride of a Lifetime” by Bill Endicott
My first World Championships was in Merano, Italy in 1971, on a course going right through a gorgeous, tourist…
Victory! Public Land Sales Removed from Senate Budget Reconciliation Bill
Thanks to the powerful response from the outdoor recreation community, last night, Senator Mike Lee officially withdrew his proposal to…
Senator Mike Lee Introduces New Legislation to Sell Off Public Lands Near “Population Centers”
Public lands are the heart of America’s outdoor heritage—and they are still on the chopping block. Outdoor advocates have…
Instructor of the Month: Melissa DeMarie
The American Canoe Association is thrilled to recognize Melissa DeMarie as our Instructor of the Month for June 2025!…
2025 Wildwater National Championships Coming to the Potomac River
The 2025 USA Wildwater National Championships will take place on the Potomac River near Great Falls, Maryland, on August…
Voting Now Open: Paddle with a SUP Pro Video Contest!
Help us choose the winner! The ACA Safety Education & Instruction Council’s Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Committee is excited to…
U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross National Team Prepares for the International Race Season
Photo Credit: Eric Francis | Athlete: Tyler Westfall As the U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross National Team sets its…
United States Kicks off International Sprint Racing Season in Europe
Coach Joe Harper on the dock with Women’s C2 (Andreea Ghizila & Audrey Harper) at the first ICF Canoe Sprint…
Instructor of the Month: John MacDonald
The American Canoe Association is proud to recognize John MacDonald as our Instructor of the Month for May 2025!…
ACA Volunteers and Partners Deliver 33 On-Water Paddling Trainings to Kick Off National Safe Boating Week
For the fourth year in a row, ACA volunteers joined forces with local paddling leaders to deliver beginner-friendly paddling…
2025 ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup Szeged | May 16-18
Photo by: C. Kasperbauer The U.S. Canoe Sprint National Team is set to kick off the international racing season at…
Paddle with a SUP Pro Video Contest
Do you love stand up paddleboarding? Have you benefited from or seen others benefit from SUP instruction and want to…
USA Canoe Slalom National Teams Announced
Athlete Ria Sribar preparing for the final weekend of Team Trials racing at OKC Riversport. Photo by: Eric Francis Montgomery,…
USA Canoe Sprint National Teams Announced for 2025 Canoe Sprint World Cups & Junior/U23 World Championships
Photo by: Cathy Kasperbauer / Athlete: Jonas Ecker The 2025 USA Canoe Sprint Team Trials, held April 14–15 at the…
2025 USA Wildwater National Team Announced
USA Wildwater Team Member Alden Henry competing in the MK1 event Following two days of spirited competition at the 2025…
ACA Welcomes New Staff to the Competition Department
Left to Right: Michele Eray (Sprint High Performance Director), Jerzy Dziadkowiec (Sprint Kayak Coach), Lee Leibfarth (Slalom Coach), and Kaitlyn…
Instructor of the Month: Karl Schmidt
Please join us in celebrating Karl Schmidt, ACA Instructor of the Month for April 2025! Karl brings more than a…
ACA Pro School Feature: Canyon River Instruction
At Canyon River Instruction (CRI), whitewater education isn’t just a service—it’s a calling. Based in Colorado and proud to be…
The Steve Kelly Standard: A Legacy Etched in Discipline and Devotion
For decades, Steve Kelly has embodied the spirit of Olympic sport—not through medals or endorsement deals, but through quiet…
Western North Carolina Paddlers Lead River Restoration Efforts After Hurricane Helene
Paddlers supporting MountainTrue cleanup efforts of the French Broad River in North Carolina In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought…
Announcing the 2025 Recipients of the Marge Cline Memorial Grant
Voyageur Canoe Training Program / Image Credit: Crossroads of America Council, Scouting America The American Canoe Association is proud to…
Announcing the 2025 L.L.Bean Club Fostered Community Grant Recipients
NariNauka Program 2024 / Image Credit: Canyon River Instruction The American Canoe Association, in partnership with L.L.Bean, is thrilled to…
Paddling Action Heats Up at OKC Riversport for the Second Weekend of U.S. Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Team Trials 2025 Pan American Championships Results
Photo Credit: COPAC Online After an exhilarating first weekend of racing at the 2025 Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Pan…
Kick Off Your Paddling Season at the Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross Pan American Championships!
March 21-23, top athletes from North, Central, and South America will battle for the title of Pan American Champion…
Registration is Now Open for the USA Canoe Sprint Team Trials
The road to international competition starts here! Registration is now open for the USA Canoe Sprint Team Trials, taking…
Instructor of the Month: Wolf Albury
Wolf Albury’s journey into sea kayaking began under the guidance of the late, great Russell Farrow of Sweetwater Kayaks in…
Welcome to the Newest ACA Pro School, Paddle-N-More!
We are thrilled to welcome Paddle-N-More to the distinguished group of ACA Pro Schools! Located in the heart of New…
North Carolina Bridge Access Ban
Senate Bill 220 was filed in the legislature on February 27, 2025 by Senators Rabon, McInnis, and Britt. The legislation…
Action Alert: Staffing Cuts at Land Management Agencies
At the direction of the new administration, land management agencies, including the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest…
ACA Executive Director, Beth Spilman, Selected to Serve on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Endowment
We are excited to share that Beth Spilman, the ACA’s Executive Director, was recently appointed by the National Governing Bodies…
We Are Hiring! Open Position: Chief Operating Officer
The Opportunity We are currently accepting applications for Chief Operating Officer, who will lead key initiatives to grow our impact…
U.S. Performance Center: Developing Personal, Sport-Specific Training Plans for U.S. Canoe/Kayak National Team Athletes
Sprint National Team athlete, Nathan Humberston, works with U.S. Performance Center Staff in Charlotte, North Carolina. The ACA is a…
2024 Impact Report
2024 was an amazing year for the American Canoe Association! Thanks to the tireless work of our small but…
Instructor of the Month: Joey Taguding
Joey Taguding, ACA Coastal Kayaking Instructor, is a dedicated advocate for paddlesports safety and ACA Instructor of the Month! Often…
Stay Informed & Engaged on Local Paddling Issues: The ACA is Here to Help!
As the oldest and largest paddlesports organization in the United States, the ACA has always been a passionate advocate for…
Instructor of the Month: Ingrid Haddon
We are proud to shine the spotlight this month on Ingrid, a dedicated Coastal Kayaking and Flatwater Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)…
Victory! The EXPLORE Act Passes and Has Become Law
Victory! The Senate passed the EXPLORE Act and has it been signed into law! The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation…
Instructor Certification Expiration Date & Renewal Requirements
By the end of the 4-year certification period, the following minimum maintenance requirements must be met for ACA instructor certifications…
ACA Regional Activity Council (RAC) is Helping Rally Paddlers for State and Local Advocacy: Updates from Georgia and the Nolichucky River
By: Bill Caruso, ACA New Jersey State Director and Chair of RAC State and Local Policy Committee One of the…
Instructor of the Month: Bob Myron
We are proud to recognize Bob Myron as our Instructor of the Month! With over 30 years of experience as…
USA Canoe Polo National Team Battles Adversity at the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships
The 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Deqing, China, offered an unforgettable experience for the USA Canoe Polo National…
Action Alert: Stop CSX Transportation Railroad Rebuild From Destroying the Nolichucky Gorge
ACA state and local volunteers have worked together and in partnership with American Whitewater to help you reach more elected…
Congratulations to the 2024 ACA Annual Award Recipients
During our Annual meeting on Sunday, November 24 we announced the incredible and very deserving recipients of the 2024 ACA…
Election for Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC) Representatives and Athlete Representatives on the ACA Board of Directors
The ACA is holding an election for Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC) Representatives and Athlete Representatives on the…