…who have decided to embark on new life adventures. First, let me introduce you to: Kristal Pastell, our new Insurance Coordinator. Kristal has been in the insurance industry for over 5 years. She began as customer service agent and worked her way to becoming a customer service manager. She loves…

…gringos would like our traditional Pitotsi canoes,” he laughs. “We can’t wait to show our territories and customs to the visitors, said Ashaninka C.A.R.T community leader Fabian. “Having people from so far away come to visit our land, share our customs and traditions is an honor and it makes us…

At Canyon River Instruction (CRI), whitewater education isn’t just a service—it’s a calling. Based in Colorado and proud to be an ACA Pro School, CRI is dedicated to providing customized whitewater instruction for private boaters and outfitters alike. Whether you’re new to the river, brushing up on old skills, seeking…

…roles, he strives to ensure that ACA instructors are recognized as the best source of paddle sports instruction. Brandon Slate – Buena Vista, CO As the owner of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center, Brandon is quite submerged in the commercial aspects of paddle sports instruction. He is also very passionate about…

…letter of intent written in Ukrainian, Russian, and Romanian, the languages spoken in Moldova. As they reached the border of Moldova, they were accosted by armed customs agents. Ian managed to convince the customs agents to let them through as they would only be in Moldova for a few hours…

…TAHE and SIC for donating an inflatable SIC 12’6 Okeanos Air. 2nd Place: SUP Paddle – Carbon Fiber A special thanks to Bishop Boards for donating a Finesse Carbon Fiber Adjustable Paddle. 3rd Place: SUP Paddle – Custom Wood A special thanks to Edgewater Surf for donating a custom made…

…against him. Often, despite his advancing years, the wily veteran often still won. Roland never really stopped racing canoes. We also remember his amazing craftsmanship. In the late 1970’s he often arrived at a racecourse planning to sleep on-site in a Ford van he modified. He customized it by literally…

…(ages 13-18) At this stage, athletes train and compete in a club program that matches their interests, goals, and developmental needs. Competitions become clearly defined with potential for new experiences and a team selection. As athletes start to grasp the commitment necessary for progression in paddlesports and the skill sets…

…from what is learned to what is lived. As ACA Instructors, we have a unique medium to teach people about paddlesports and, more importantly, how the lessons learned in paddlesports can supplement and strengthen all aspects of their everyday lives. ExEd finds the strengths in everyone through their experiences and…

…serve the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling, stewardship support to help protect paddling environments, and serving as the national governing body for olympic paddlesports in the United States. The ACA is seen as the standard of paddlesports education in the United States and…

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!…

…collect information such as membership type, payment details, registration history, and certifications. Payment Information: When you make a purchase or donation, we collect billing address and payment information. ACA takes the security of our customers’ transactions very seriously, utilizing the latest internet encryption and authentication technology and protocols to safeguard…

Use this custom map to find a competition club, venue, or event in your state!…

…interests lie in policy and stewardship, education, finance, competition, or any other aspect of Paddlesports, we provide diverse volunteer prospects. For inquiries or questions regarding specific opportunities, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, MacKenzie Holbrook, at mholbrook@americancanoe.org. Additionally, you can subscribe to volunteer communications via your ACA member page….

…certification workshops…more efficient processes and more responsive customer service…a more user-friendly and current website… more races… more events…more diversity…more coaches and events for our athletes…more communication. Answering this call, however, will require more resources. This necessitates an increase in membership dues. The Board, staff, and I have deliberated very thoughtfully…

…in Japan, where customers can test paddle kayaks in the store! Advocate: Pete Skinner (USA) Pete Skinner was primarily responsible for bringing American Whitewater (AW) back from near-collapse and converting it from the publisher of an obscure whitewater booklet to the most influential organization representing safe recreational use of rivers…

…and ecommerce capabilities. Club Express helps create a community with forums, event planning, and surveys. It can do event registrations, track certifications, manage your membership database, and sell merchandise. Club Express is fully able to be customized to your organization’s needs. PACs that are already using Club Express can be…

…to customize equipment through adaptation development and testing. ACW curriculum includes Universal Teaching Strategies and Multi-Sensory Learning. Provides increased understanding of how to effectively communicate with paddling students, listen to their needs and abilities, as well as gain understanding of vision, hearing and communication differences. Activities with peers to experiment…

Support the ACA! As a member of the ACA, you join the ranks of tens of thousands of people who support safe, enjoyable paddling, and the protection of America’s recreational waterways. Here are some of the tangible and intangible benefits of supporting the nation’s oldest paddlesports organization. Becoming a member…

Each year, the ACA presents a series of prestigious national awards to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. Excellence in Instruction: The prestigious Excellence in Instruction Award is presented to an ACA member for his or her outstanding contribution to…

…education initiatives, public policy initiatives, social media strategies, etc. Alternatively, some State Directors recruit the paddling club Presidents in their region to advise them on the State Council. The State Council is designed to offer local volunteers a flexible way to help foster an aspect of the ACA Mission in…

Safety, Education, and Instruction Council (SEIC) – Elected Volunteer Position Description Mission The Safety, Education and Instruction Council’s mission is to develop and implement effective paddlesports safety, education, and instructional programs and materials that inform, train, and serve the public at all skill levels and in all aspects of paddlesports….

…expertise when necessary, will contribute to our board’s high-functioning dynamics. This position requires dedication to our mission of promoting sport and values of the ACA. Together, we will continue to uphold our organization’s integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations.   Board Member Requirements/Expectations: The…

…Olympic & Paralympic Committee as well as ACA coaches to provide an update on our Olympic and Paralympic sprint, slalom and paracanoe programs. Rok will share his vision for our elite programs as described in the quadrennial High Performance Plan he recently submitted to the USOPC. Parents of aspiring elite…

Each year, the ACA presents a series of prestigious national awards to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. We are accepting nominations for the following award categories: Excellence in Instruction Sanctioned Event of the Year Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation…

Each year, the ACA presents a series of prestigious national awards to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. We are accepting nominations for the following award categories: Excellence in Instruction Sanctioned Event of the Year Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation…

…instruction. We plan to work with our instructor partners to explore business models that would enable us to better respond to underserved areas. Overall Communications We strive to keep our members informed regarding every aspect of ACA’s operations. A large majority of members want to receive a monthly email newsletter…

…improve their knowledge, skills, and competencies in theoretical, technical, and practical aspects of coaching and leadership. The highest level of the ICF coach program, the four-month course includes modules on exercise physiology, training theory and methodology, sport injuries, sport psychology, sport management, sport pedagogy, skills and motor development, sport technique,…

The ACA is proud to welcome Rok Sribar as the new General Manager of High-Performance Programs. In this role, Rok will be responsible for leading all aspects of the ACA’s Olympic and Paralympic Programs, including the National teams management, elite athlete development, talent identification programs, and fundraising for these teams…

The American Canoe Association is seeking nominees actively willing to serve on our Board of Directors. ACA’s mission is to provide leadership, structure, and support to help our members and the larger paddling community enjoy all aspects of paddling. At the most basic level, ACA’s goal is to grow the…

…kayak instruction be a fun summer job, to seeing kayak instruction as her career. “The bonds and relationships forged between you and your guests on these trips cannot be paralleled,” Sami says about her work with DAK. Sami’s advice for aspiring ACA Instructors is to allow time for development and…

We are proud to honor the 2021 ACA National Award Recipients! Each year, the ACA presents a series of prestigious national awards to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. This year’s awards: Excellence in Instruction Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation…

…plays outside to join, donate, or gift a membership to the American Canoe Association, or any of the Outdoor Alliance member groups. From someone who has worked in various aspects of the outdoor industry, I can attest that this is money well spent, sure to please even your hard-to-shop-for mother-in-law!…

Each year, the ACA presents a series of prestigious international awards to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. We are accepting nominations for the following award categories: Excellence in Instruction Sanctioned Event of the Year Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation…

During our Annual meeting on Sunday, November 24 we announced the incredible and very deserving recipients of the 2024 ACA Annual Awards. This series of prestigious international awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesports. Please join us…

…becoming a Whitewater Kayak Instructor, Coastal Kayak Instructor, Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Instructor, and Instructor Trainer Educator (ITE) in Canoeing and Coastal Kayaking. Today, Bob actively teaches canoeing, kayaking, and SUP through his organization, Outdoor Leader Trainers of America (OLTOA), specializing in training aspiring leaders to share paddlesports with their communities….

…for Outstanding Discipline. This annual honor will be presented to an athlete who exemplifies the seriousness, consistency, and commitment that Steve has long championed. Steve Kelly, still practicing the perfect stroke. Looking ahead to LA28, Steve offers practical advice for aspiring Olympians: “Start thinking how you can paddle 300 miles…