Win big prizes this summer solstice. To celebrate all that is paddling we are providing opportunities to connect with your community and reflect on what draws us to the water. By entering into our short essay and photo contest, you can show off your creative side and tell the world why you love to paddle.
Community
Summer Solstice Celebration
Get to know your paddling community better by organizing or attending a paddling event over the Summer Solstice! Publicize your event on the ACA Website with this Event Calendar Submission Form and we will help get the word out.
Want to get involved but not sure how? Contact our Communications Coordinator with any inquiries.
2023 ACA Summer Solstice Celebration Events
June 20 – 24 | Paddle Under the Midnight Sun | Palmer, Alaska
June 20 | Summer Solstice Kayaking 101 – Paddle Perry | Tell City, Indiana
June 21 | LA River Summer Solstice Paddle – Los Angeles Kayak Club | Los Angeles, California
June 21 | Party at the Playwave | Cañon City, Colorado
June 21 | SYOTR Summer Solstice on the Farmington | Simsbury, Connecticut
June 21 | Community Paddle with Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers | Dunedin Causeway, Florida
June 21 | Paddle into the Summer Solstice | Tampa, Florida
June 21 | Hui Wa’a Kaukahi Summer Solstice Paddle | Kapolei, Hawaii
June 21 | Quad Cities Kayakers Group Summer Solstice Paddle | Cleveland, Illinois
June 21 | Kansas City Summer Solstice Paddle | Shawnee, Kansas
June 21 | Summer Solstice Paddle with Green Waters Paddling | Stanford, Kentucky
June 21 | Summer Solstice City of Birds Kayak Tour | Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 21 | Summer Solstice Heart of Minneapolis Kayak Tour | Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 21 | Level 1: Flatwater Kayak Safety and Rescue Skills Assessment | Gulfport, Mississippi
June 21| Adventure Days: James River Kayaking | Springfield, Missouri
June 21 | Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse Summer Solstice Celebration | Hoboken, New Jersey
June 21 | Adult Kayak Lesson with Breakaway Excursions | Auburn, Ohio
June 21 | Summer Solstice Sunset Paddle | Mount Vernon, Ohio
June 21 | Solstice Pop-up Paddling | Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania
June 21 | Summer Solstice Paddle Day at Congaree National Park | Gadsden, South Carolina
June 21 | Boy’s Home Leader Training Paddle | Daleville, Virginia
June 21 | Remada de Solsticio | San Isidro, Argentina
June 21 | Summer Solstice Paddle Meet-up on the Sarapiqui River | La Virgen, Costa Rica
June 22 | Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking Skills Course | Gulfport, Mississippi
June 22-25 | Freshwater Paddler Sea Kayak Symposium | Cornucopia, Wisconsin
June 23 – 25 | DemoFest – Zoar Outdoor | Charlemont, Massachusetts
June 24 | Summer Solstice Paddle | Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Terms and Conditions:
Essays Requirements
- Less than 750 words
- Original
- Non-fictional
- Unpublished
- Written in English
- Submissions accepted April 22 – June 30
Judging Criteria (Points/100)
- Relevance to the theme – connection to the prompt (20 pts. possible)
- Comprehensiveness – how complete the writer’s description and explanation of why they love to paddle (20 pts. possible)
- Originality – uniqueness, novelty and authenticity of ideas (20 pts. possible)
- Insights – a fresh way of looking at things, critical exploration of what makes paddling special (20 pts. possible)
- Quality image accompanying essay (20 pts. possible)
If Selected
- Winners will be announced on July 21
- Winning essays will be published on the ACA website
- Winners will be contacted by email
- Prize will be sent via mail or email as appropriate within 1 month of notification
Agreement
You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant the ACA a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of paddlesports through the ACA’s website, social media accounts, and email correspondence. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible.