350.org

In 2008, NASA's top climatologist and his team released a landmark series of studies. These studies showed that if we let the amount of carbon in our atmosphere climb above 350ppm, our planet cannot remain "similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted."

Currently, we're at 390ppm.

Environmental activist and author Bill McKibben launched 350.org in response. The goal of this international campaign is to push global leaders to reach an agreement at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference this December that will allow the level of carbon in the atmosphere to return to 350ppm.

On October 24 (during the ACA National Paddlesports Conference!), six weeks before the Copenhagen Conference, people in communities around the world are gathering to make the number "350" visible to everyone in their community.

There are 1,143 actions in 76 countries already organized.

As outdoor enthusiasts, we have a strong connection to our environment and have a responsibility to protect the place we live and love to play in.

Join the ACA and the Epicocity Project in calling for the paddlesports community to unite on October 24 and participate in 350.org's International Day of Climate Action.

ACA Instructor Trainer Sam Drevo along with Team NRS are organizing a 350.org event on the west coast, River of Action - Portland.

One of the core values of the ACA's mission is stewardship of paddling environments, visit ACA Stewardship to learn more.

Paul Sanford
Director of Stewardship & Public Policy

ACA Award Nominations

*Nomination deadline approaching: September 4th!

Each year, the American Canoe Association’s Board of Directors accepts nominations for a series of national awards that recognize individuals, clubs and organizations for a wide range of paddlesport accomplishments:

Legends of Paddling

Excellence in Instruction

Sanctioned Event of the Year

Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation

Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year

Stroke of Achievement

J. Henry Rushton

The award recipients are honored each year at the Annual Banquet at the ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

For a full description of each award, a list of previous recipients, and this years nomination form, please visit: www.americancanoe.org/Awards

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

ACA National Paddlesports Conference

If you have not already done so, mark October 23-25 on your calendar and plan to travel to historic Fredericksburg, VA to attend the ACA's National Paddlesports Conference.

• Educational sessions
• Call of the River video premier
• Instructor Updates
• Adaptive Paddling Programs
• Exhibitor area
• Paddling Club specific workshops
• Socials!
• River trips
• Much more...

Spaces are beginning to fill up, reserve your spot, register today!.

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

Sugar Island Encampment

At the ACA’s Sugar Island Annual Encampment from July 26 – August 7 this year, we enjoyed getting to know staff members Jeremy and Helen Oyen and family as well as ACA Board President Kirk Havens and family. They joined the other families camping with young children.

It was especially about the children! The island kayaks for children were used constantly by families to introduce the small ones to kayaking. The children’s’ crafts program was a big hit thanks to Bonnie Rhoades and helpers. At Colors we had great help from the children especially those who are Scouts who did well handling the flags and folding them.

The paddling and canoe sailing made it all a fun ACA vacation! The Washington Canoe Club members made several impressive two mile crossings in open canoes in high winds from the mainland to Sugar. The great weather every day with some wind kept the mosquitoes away for the most part. It was a banner year for International Canoe sailors from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California. World champion Chris Maas, from San Juan Islands in Washington state, won most of the antique trophies! There were open canoe sailors too; Larry Haff was the main trophy winner.

Lew Mengersen did a wonderful job handling the Encampment. Leslie Mengersen, Scott, Jason and Robin Andrews and Dave Walsh did a tremendous job preparing the Camp Dinner, which was a wonderfull gathering with guests. Our special guest, Don Ross, Executive Director of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, from Ontario, talked about the region’s biodiversity and their new website.

Our next event at Sugar Island will be the Just Paddle sea kayak get-together
on Sept 5-6, Labor Day weekend!

Visit Sugar Island, it's a significant ACA member benefit.

You can also learn more about Sugar Island by dropping by their exhibit booth at the upcoming ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

Marilyn Vogel
Chairperson - Sugar Island Trustees

Rafting

The U.S. Rafting National Championships took place at the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) this past weekend.

The time trials, head to head sprints, and slalom competitions (yes rafting slalom!) took place at ASCI while the downriver race occurred on the nearby lower Youghiogheny River.

This national competition was the qualifier for the 2010 International World Cup which is sponsored by the International Rafting Federation.

Special thanks go to Matt Taylor and all the staff at ASCI for running a top notch event.

In addition, they had two junior teams compete, these youth were under 14 years old and raced on the same course as the professional teams!

For more about rafting competition in the U.S., please visit U.S. Rafting Association

Learn more about how the ACA supports paddlesports competition.

In addition, the ACA's Safety Education & Instruction Council is currently revising the ACA's entire rafting curriculum. The new curriculum is scheduled for a spring of 2010 launch.


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

Instructor Updates

Spaces are beginning to fill up and we have a limited number of openings in each Instructor Update course.

Remember, all Instructors must take an Update at least once during their four year certification period.

If you have not already done so, mark October 23-25 on your calendar and plan to travel to historic Fredericksburg, VA to attend the ACA's National Paddlesports Conference.

Reserve your spot, register today!

There is also an entire portion of the conference dedicated to paddling clubs.

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

Whitewater Fatalities

Every year, ACA Advanced Swiftwater Rescue ITE Charlie Walbridge compiles information about as many of the whitewater fatalities (and near misses) as he can from rivers across the country. This information is crucial to understanding why people get in serious trouble in whitewater. This information allows the safety efforts from the ACA, as well as other organizations, to target specific areas to try and minimize the loss of life.

Thanks to Charlie for undertaking this important task.

Whitewater Boating Fatality Statistics

Paddlesports are a healthy, outdoor endeavor, but we all need to be aware of the risks associated with moving water.

For comprehensive paddlesports safety information, please visit www.americancanoe.org.


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

Hawaii!

On September 5 and 6th, the worlds largest outrigger canoe race will take place along the Kona and the historic bays of Kailua, Keauhou, Kealakekua, and Honaunau.

This is the 38th anniversary of the Queen Liliuokalani Canoe Races.

The races on Saturday and Sunday both cover a distance of 18 miles. The race started in 1972 as a way to train for the grueling Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women) and the Molokai Hoe (Men) as a long distance canoe race from the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu. The first race fell on Queen Liliuokalani's, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii, birthday September 2.

People from all over the world attend this competitive event. The most common crew sizes are OC-6 and OC-9. The race director is Mike Atwood and the contact person is Nicki Lacy-Enos who can be contacted at contact@Kaiopua.org.

Below are the ACA’s Paddle America Clubs in Hawaii:

• Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association
• Hawaii Sailing Canoe Association
• Hui Pakolea
• Hui Wa'a Kaukahi
• Kaneoche Canoe Club
• Maui Canoe and Kayak Club
• Paddling Athletes Association

To learn more about paddlesports events across the country, visit the ACA Event Calendar.

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

Open Canoe Slalom Nationals

This past weekend the Open Canoe Slalom Nationals took place in Wausau, Wisconsin. This was a spectacular event that was filled with great people and exceptional competition.

There were men’s, women’s, and mixed classes for both tandem and solo canoes. Racers used recreational and racing boats of all different sizes. Racers were allowed to compete three times a day and up to seven classes total. Additional weekend highlights were the downriver race, the team slalom event, and the annual racer's banquet.

The race chairs, Ruth Jaeger, Pete 'TinMan' Steffes & Brian Heikenen (of Esquif Canoes), did a superb job of organizing the event. Considerable thanks also goes to Julie Walraven and all the volunteers of the Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation, without which, the event would not have been a success.

More information about Open Canoe Slalom is available at: www.americancanoe.org/Competition

The ACA would like to thank everyone who attended and volunteered at the event and we look forward to seeing everyone next year.

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