Programs

High Performance Program for Elite Athletes

ACA supports our elite and aspiring athletes through our High Performance program for the Olympic disciplines of Sprint, Slalom, and Paracanoe. We provide coaches, training camps, team selection processes, and travel opportunities. We also assist with youth development, and organize and manage Junior, U23 and Olympic Hopes Regatta selection processes, coaches, and travel.

We also support ICF Discipline teams such as Stand Up Paddling, Freestyle, Canoe Polo, Wildwater, and more.

State Directors Program

The mission of the State Director Program is to increase the effectiveness of the ACA at the state and local levels by facilitating communication between local communities of paddlers and the ACA National Office, and by fostering community responsibility in protecting and preserving paddling environments. The ACA State Directors are a critical conduit of information to the Stewardship and Public Policy team.

We are always looking for members who might be interested in serving as a State Director. For more detailed information about the State Director Program, please review the following documents: State Director Responsibilities, governance structure of the State Director Program and the State Director application.

For additional information about the State Director Program, please contact Brett Mayer at the ACA National Office or Contact your State Director.

Paddle America Clubs’ Networking Group

The ACA is committed to the success of our Paddle America Clubs and we support the clubs through a volunteer-led effort called the PAC Networking Group. This group convenes electronically 3 times a year to share best practices and to learn more about various topics relevant to paddling clubs. Click here to find an ACA Paddle America Club near you.

ACA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

In 2020, a grass roots effort by a group of instructors and other members led to the creation of an ad hoc board committee focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The committee is comprised of active paddlers including board members, staff, instructors, and others. The group continues to work hard to provide guidance about ACA’s DEI efforts including education, visibility, and leadership development.