Wild & Scenic Rivers

On my way to the Green River in North Carolina to host the 2009 Southeast Canoe & Kayak Collegiate Championships this past weekend, I could not resist taking a slight detour, just north of Morganton, NC.

Wilson Creek was designated a Wild & Scenic River by the US Forest Service on August 18, 2000. Twenty-three miles of Wilson Creek are now designated as either Wild, Scenic or Recreational. It is a spectacular area for trout fishing, hiking, and of course whitewater paddling.

According to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers website, the US has approximately 3.5 million miles of rivers and only 11,434 miles are included in the Wild & Scenic River system.

Through the ACA's Stewardship and Public Policy Department, we constantly strive to help local communities protect their valuable water resources.

For more information about how you can contribute to the health of your local body of water, please contact the ACA's Stewardship Director.

Paddle Safe - Paddle Often,
Christopher Stec
Safety Education & Instruction Department

How the ACA Supports Local Paddling Clubs

Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club 

The American Canoe Association supports more than 140 Paddle America Clubs across the country. This suppor

t comes in many forms, from club insurance for paddling activities to cash support in the form of the LL Bean Club-Fostered Stewardship Program.

Over the past three years, the ACA has distributed 44 grants totaling more than $35,000 to local clubs in support of volunteer-driven waterways stewardship projects. This money has been used for everything from the creation of water trails to waterway clean-up projects. A few examples include: 

> A $500 grant to assist the Badger State Boating Society (Wisconsin) in the development of the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail.

> A $660 grant to Bay Area Sea Kayakers (California) to assist with two major beach clean-ups.

> Funding to help the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance (Oregon) map and install safety signage along the Deschutes Paddle Trail.

> Grants over several years to the Sebago Canoe Club (New York) to support the Open Paddle program, a series of weekly volunteer-led paddling trips introducing city residents to the local Jamaica Bay.

These are just a few examples. Visit our website for more information on our LL Bean Club-Fostered Stewardship Grants, and on other ways we support Paddle America Clubs around the country. 

It's also a great example of how ACA works with our many partners to forward our important mission.

Martin A. Bartels

Executive Director

ACA & College Competition

College Competition!

Calling all Colleges and Universities:

Whether you have an experienced paddling program or one that is just starting up, attendance at any of the ACA College Championships will provide camaraderie, networking, and of course all the fun associated with racing! More importantly, once a student experiences the fun and excitement of paddlesports they will be able to carry those skills and enthusiasm past their collegiate years and develop it into a family and lifetime activity.

Register your school now for any of the upcoming ACA College events:

• March 21: Carolina Canoe & Kayak Collegiate Championships


• April 4-5: Virginia Canoe & Kayak Collegiate Championships


• October 10-11: Collegiate Canoe & Kayak NATIONAL Championships!

You never know, you just might win a gold medal in the Olympics, like the ACA's Frank Havens.

Paddle Safe - Paddle Often,
Christopher Stec
Safety Education & Instruction Department