NY Navigation Law

NAVIGATION LAW CHANGE

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation has announced that beginning Nov. 1, “No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between Nov. 1 and May 1, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.”

This new regulation applies to all navigable waters in the state, as well as some downstate tidal areas. Failure to wear a lifejacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under Section 73-C of Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.

This new regulation will not impact most North Country power boaters since few operate their vessels between Nov. 1 and May 1, but it’s something you should know about anyway.

Also, most canoeists and kayakers wear PFDs anyway. For most vessels, other than those designated as “Public Vessels” (charter fishing boats etc.), type II or III PFDs are adequate and will fulfill these new requirements unless and until the U.S. Coast Guard promulgates different regulations, in which case the state will follow suit.

Type II and III PFDs are those most commonly sold in marine stores, department stores and other venues that offer boating supplies.

Thanks to ACA member Dale Jeffers for keeping everyone posted on these regulations.

For more information about issues pertinent to paddlers visit the Public Policy portion of the ACA website.

Paul Sanford
Director of Stewardship & Public Policy

Online Reporting

Yes, that's right, ACA Instructors can now report skills courses online!

The well liked EZ Skills Course Report Form can now be done 100% electronically. It will automatically credit your ACA Instructor status with your teaching credit.

Simply go to www.americancanoe.org, then log in under the Member login section and surf your way to the Report Your Course section.

Remember, this is only for non-insured EZ Skills Course Reports.

However, there's more to come...

Paddle safe this weekend.

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

On a regular basis, I receive Google Alerts in my e-mail box highlighting things that have been found on the web to include "American Canoe Association" or "ACA". It is amazing the number of agencies that use the acronym ACA...from the Arrowhead Christian Academy to the American Counseling Association.

Our ACA - The American Canoe Association - did come up with a few hits in early October that you might find interesting. Some highlight ACA Instructors and their programs while others highlight the recent canoe and kayak races right here in Fredericksburg, VA - the ACA's hometown!

Here are some recent articles that have ACA highlighted:
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009/oct/09/kayakers-canoeists-compete-saturday/
http://fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=20&p=1254924123
http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/10/07/News/Group.Gives.Students.Opportunities.To.Experience.Fun.Outdoor.Activities-3795000.shtml
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/102009/10122009/499953

In the Greater Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe/Kayak races – Members of the ACA Staff and Board of Directors were present and accounted for. For specifics, be sure to check out the RESULTS

If you get an article posted on the web and happen to mention the ACA, be sure to drop us a line! We would love to share the info with our Bloggers.

On the note about Bloggers, as of 10/13/2009 we only have 38 folks following the blog. How can this be? Send the link to our blog to all of your paddling friends and lets see if we can hit 100 by the end of November.

Have something you would like to add to the ACA WaterBlog?
Send us an e-mail and it could show up right here. Send your submissions to sei@americancanoe.org and be sure to include a personal picture and one about the blog.

Your Friend in Paddling
Jeremy Oyen
ACA Director - Safety Education and Instruction

Where are you now?

We're already at the ACA National Paddlesports Conference in Fredericksburg, VA!

From canoe poling to whitewater kayaking to adaptive paddlesports, this is the event to attend.

If you're just looking for something to do, aka a night out, join the ACA Staff for any one of the following:

• A presentation and video showing on Thursday


• The Call of the River video premier on Friday night


• the ACA Annual Banquet on Saturday night


• a paddle down the Rappahannock River on Sunday afternoon
  

The paddlesports conference is taking place at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center located in Central Park.

Tickets for The Call of the River are still available at the door.

Drive on over to Fredericksburg and be a part of the ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

www.americancanoe.org/NationalPaddlesportsConference

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

Can your canoe do this?

Learn this, and other interesting things at the upcoming ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Dates: this Friday through Sunday

Information: www.americancanoe.org/NationalPaddlesportsConference

See you there!

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

ACA National Paddlesports Conference

The city of Fredericksburg, Va has a rich and vibrant history and next weekend, October 23-25, paddlers from across the country will add to the town's legacy as they converge for the annual ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

If you're just looking for something to do, join the ACA Staff (headquartered in Fredericksburg) for any one of the following:

• A presentation and video showing on Thursday
• The Call of the River video premier on Friday night
• the ACA Annual Banquet on Saturday night
• there are also a range of canoe and kayak clinics that you can sign up for

The paddlesports conference will take place at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House & Conference Center located in Central Park.

We hope you'll join us.

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

Global Climate Action

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 Collegiate Canoe & Kayak National Championships

Over the weekend, in conjunction with the 29th Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race, college students competed in five individual events and a team relay on the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, VA. This was the 3rd annual ACA Collegiate Canoe & Kayak National Championships. They raced for both individual medals as well as the coveted overall team trophy.

Race Facts:

• 4 states
• 7 colleges
• 65 competitors
• 97 starts

All of the individual events (K1W, K1M, OC1W, OC1M, OC2Mixed) took place on Saturday with the races starting at Warner Rapids, just below the old Embrey Dam site, and finishing at Old Mill Park. On Sunday, for the team relay, there was a head to head or mass start at Warner Rapids. There were two transitions and the relay race concluded at City Docks.

Overall Team Results:

• 1st - Albion College, MI


• 2nd - Davidson College, NC


• 3rd - Messiah College, PA


• 4th - Warren Wilson College, NC


• 5th - Penn State University, PA


• 6th - Hollins University, VA


• 7th - University of Mary Washington, VA

A special thanks goes to all of the people in the Fredericksburg community who volunteered. However, the race never would have occurred if it wasn't for the support of Denise and Bill Micks of the Virginia Outdoor Center.

The next Collegiate Canoe & Kayak National Championships will be held in western North Carolina in the fall of 2010.

For more information, please visit: www.americancanoe.org/collegechampionships

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

ACA Waiver - Spanish

The ACA Adult Waiver & Release of Liability is now in Spanish.

Additional ACA paddlesports safety education material is also available in Spanish, please visit: Additional Resources.

Remember, when on the water, whether canoeing, kayaking or rafting, always wear your lifejacket!

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

Registration Deadline Extended!

That's right, you now have until Friday, October 16th to register for the upcoming ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

Whether it's Wilderness First Aid, the Adaptive Paddling sessions, the Club Rendezvous, Kent Ford's The Call of the River video premier, an Instructor Update or taking a canoe poling clinic, register today!

www.americancanoe.org/NationalPaddlesportsConference

In addition, the educational sessions and schedule are now online.

Thanks to Tom and Mandy for introducing the new tandem kayaking course last year. You never know what we have in store...sign up now!

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

Keynote Speakers Announced

Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Jacobi joins Guinness Book World Record holder Valerie Fons as the keynote speakers for the upcoming ACA National Paddlesports Conference on October 23 - 25 in Fredericksburg, VA.

To learn more about their amazing accomplishments and the messages they are planning on sharing, please visit: www.americancanoe.org/keynote

Only a few places remain, so register to attend the conference today!

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

Whitewater Courses & Parks Conference

It's not too early, mark your calendars for May 24-27, 2010 and join the ACA in Salida, Colorado at the 3rd Whitewater Courses & Parks Conference.

The ACA has teamed up with the Paddlesports Industry Association, the Shimoda Group, Recreation Engineering & Planning, and Northwest Hydraulic Consultants to design a conference for those who build, maintain, manage, promote, and use whitewater courses and parks. From the whitewater superparks to a river feature downtown, this is the premier event for learning about this aspect of whitewater paddling.

For other ACA related events across the country in 2009 and 2010, visit the ACA Event Calendar.

Don't forget, the upcoming ACA National Paddlesports Conference is October 23-25 in Fredericksburg, Va.

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

The Call of the River

"Kent Ford has done it again, The Call of the River is a superb documentary on the history of whitewater paddling. "

With over 50 interviews and video footage from as far back as 1932, Kent has constructed another high quality masterpiece.

Join the ACA for a premier on Friday, October 23 as part of the upcoming National Paddlesports Conference. If you can't attend the entire conference, join us just for the video on Friday evening.

Everyone's welcome to attend.

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