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. Plus, check out all of our membership benefits!
Already a member? Multiply your impact by gifting a membership to your paddling friends and family.
Join the ACA
$40 Individual Annual Membership
For those who are interested in supporting the ACA’s stewardship & public policy efforts, would like to benefit from being a part of an international network of likeminded individuals, wish to participate in ACA instruction & education courses, and are interested in or are in the process of becoming a certified ACA Instructor.
$40 Competition Individual Annual Membership
For those who participate in local, regional, and national competitions as an athlete, official, judge, or competition volunteer, would like to support paddlesports competition, and are interested in receiving competition and discipline specific correspondence.
The Individual Annual Membership cost is $40.
This membership type is for individuals who:
Memberships expire annually, one-year after the original join date or the most recent renewal date. An auto renewal option is available and encouraged!
As a first step in the join process, you will be prompted to select your Paddle America Club affiliation (PAC). If you are not a member of a PAC, please select ACA Member (No Club Affiliation).
*ACA dues payments are non-refundable.
For prospective ACA instructors: please join as an Individual and pay your SEIC dues. Upon the successful completion of your Instructor Certification Workshop (ICW) and CMS requirements, your membership type will be changed to Instructor. At that time, you will be included in the “find an instructor” feature and have access to instructors only pro deals and discounts.
The Competition Individual Annual Membership cost is $40.
This membership is for individuals who:
All Competition Individual memberships expire annually on December 31st. We highly recommend that Competition Individual Members choose the auto-renewal option to prevent a membership lapse.
Competition members are required to electronically sign the Athlete Code of Conduct each year and to confirm that they are currently in compliance with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport’s education requirements.
Competition License
In addition to the $40 Competition Individual Annual Membership, you must purchase an $80 Competition License if you are an athlete 18 years or older, official, coach, or volunteer who participates in a National or International competition in any ICF discipline (including any qualification or selection event leading to these competitions, ex. Team Trials)
Individuals purchasing a competition license also must comply with the U.S. Center for SafeSport education requirements and complete an NCSI background check every two years or as required by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Additional Benefits of purchasing a Competition License:
Primary & Secondary Competition Disciplines
As part of the join/renew process, Competition Individuals are asked to select their primary and secondary competition discipline. These selections help us to narrow our communications and send you more of the content that interests you most.
The response to the primary competition discipline question determines:
Frequently Asked Questions
You can choose to upgrade your membership with the following elevated membership tiers:
The PAC Annual Membership cost is $125.
ACA Paddle America Clubs provide positive, fun experiences for paddlers across the nation!
The club President or contact person should complete the join process for the Paddle America Club. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Membership Department and our Insurance Department for help with any questions you might have about this process!
Paddle America Club benefits include:
The Affiliate Organizations Annual Membership cost is $125.
This membership type is for event organizers and other industry participants who wish to affiliate with the ACA for marketing purposes or to access our insurance program.
Benefits:
Organizations interested in marketing their events via ACA social media platforms, newsletter, and other media can join at one of the higher affiliate levels and should contact our Membership Department for additional information.
The Outfitters, Liveries, and Guides (OLG) Annual Membership cost is $125.
This membership type is designed exclusively for outfitters, liveries, and guides (OLG).
Benefits:
A portion of the proceeds from the OLG Insurance Program will help support the ACA’s mission of building inclusive paddling communities, supporting excellence, and fostering safety and stewardship through paddlesports education, competition, and recreation.
The Pro School Annual Membership cost is $650.
To qualify for this membership type, the organization must have continually operated as a paddlesports school for a minimum of 4 consecutive years, comply with paddlesports best practices, have the appropriate ACA Instructor certifications for lead staff, and offer a discount to ACA members on certain programs.
More information about ACA Pro School:
If your school or organization is interested in being recognized as an ACA Pro School, please contact the Membership Department.
