FIBArk 2012 Wrap-Up

FIBArk 2012 is in the books and what a great event for paddlers everywhere.  Even with the low water due to the lack of snow this past winter, paddlers and spectators came from all over to enjoy the oldest and boldest whitewater festival.

The ACA wants to congratulate the 3rd Place finishers in the Subaru Hooligan Race, Team Suabaru.  This race has become a FIBArk and Salida staple, for a look at this amazing and fun on water event and some highlights from the SUP events check out the video below.  Be sure to subscribe to the ACA YouTube Channel to get updates on great videos such as this one.

For full results visit fibark.net.

Special thanks to Paul Teftt and EnviroAction Productions. 

ACA Instructor Trainer Ben Kvanli showing off some C2 slalom skills.

Do you know the history?

Photo Courtesy of former ACA Commodore David Mason

Since 1880, the ACA has worked with and represented paddlers of all crafts, whether it's whitewater kayaking, flatwater canoeing, or now Stand Up Paddleboarding.

Throughout the decades the ACA staff, Board of Directors, instructors, volunteers and members (just like you) have focused on the following four aspects of paddlesports:

• Education
• Stewardship
• Recreation
• Competition

Learn more about the history of your organization.

Award Nominations due Monday

Each year, as part of the banquet at the ACA National Paddlesports Conference, a series of prestigious national awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have illustrated exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to various aspects of paddlesport.

 

• 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

 Award Nominations are due this Monday - July 30th!

 

 

 

Level 3: River SUP Instructor Certification Workshop hosted at the US National Whitewater Center

Charlie surfing

The ACA has partnered with the U.S. National Whitewater Center and C4 team member and board designer, Charlie MacArthur of Aspen Kayak & SUP Academy to bring a Level 3: River SUP Instructor Certification Workshop to the Southeast.

This course will be hosted at the U.S. National Whitewater Center September 16-20, 2012.  The course will cover Level 1-Level 3, starting on flat-water and then finishing up on the rapids of the USNWC.

For more information or to register click here.

Kokatat & the ACA Partner

Kokatat has just joined the ACA as a Supporting Partner!

Starting in August, Kokatat will be the proud sponsor of the ACA's Instructor of the Month recognition program.  The monthly announcements will be made in the Journal of Paddlesport Education (JPE) and through the ACA and Kokatat's social media outlets.

• Nominate an ACA Instructor.

"The ACA is glad to work with Kokatat as an industry partner to continue to promote the educational efforts of our 6,000 certified paddlesport Instructors across the country." - Chris Stec, ACA Chief Operating Officer

Learn more about the ACA and Kokatat's partnership.



Kokatat - a valued ACA Partner



Welcome Amy Ellis to the ACA Staff!

Membership Coordinator - Amy Ellis

Amy joins the ACA staff in the Membership Department as a Membership Coordinator.  She'll be focused on improving the membership and customer service experience for all ACA members and the gneral paddling public.

After relocating to Virginia from Athens, GA, Amy initially served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA, a local non-profit animal rescue organization.  She has a diverse customer service related background and is eager to work with the ACA staff, its members and the paddling community.  During her free time she also enjoys hiking, cycling and gardening.  She lives in Fredericksburg with her husband, their 2 dogs and cat.

Welcome Amy!

Amy hiking on the Oregon coast

Contact the ACA.

Welcome Sarah Kadis to the ACA Staff

Sarah joins the ACA staff as the Social Media Video Grant Coordinator.  She'll be focused on developing and producing a wide range of educational and informative paddlesport video snippets.

Born and raised in Fredericksburg, Sarah graduated from Randolph-Macon College with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she studied abroad in Italy for a semester, which only fueled her love for traveling and experiencing new cultures. Currently, Sarah is earning her Master of Professional Studies at the George Washington University in Public Relations.


Prior to joining the ACA, Sarah worked for Rappahannock United Way and was responsible for promoting community resources, serving as a spokesperson at community events, and developing the organization's public policy agenda.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys cooking, traveling, cheering on the Washington Capitals, and going to the beach any chance she gets. Sarah is excited to join the ACA team and contribute to the paddle sport community.

Welcome Sarah!

Contact the ACA.

Fall Collegiate Race Series Events

Calling all college students in the Southeast, Virginia, and Texas!! This Fall, the ACA is bringing The Collegiate Race Series to YOU!

Texas Flatwater Championships:
Date: September 29, 2012
Location: Lake Houston Wilderness Park- Houston, TX

Southeast Championships:
Date: October 6-7, 2012
Location: Tuckaseegee River, Dillsboro, NC

Virginia Championships:
Date: October 13-14, 2012
Location: Rappahannock River- Fredericksburg, VA


For more details and information visit the Collegiate Race Series page.

Also, for additional Information contact the race director Trey Knight.

Mark Your Calendars!!

ACA in the News: Durango, CO

Courtesy of Fredericksburg SUP

As many know and have realized, Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a great way to spend time on the water.  This up and coming paddlesport lets you go just about anywhere.  Recently the Durango Herald featured an article about SUP.  This article not only features an ACA Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor, but the National Office was consulted on the piece as well.

To read more about the ACA in the Durango Herald click here.

To learn more about the ACA and SUP visit http://www.americancanoe.org/.

ACA Mural

A mural of Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock River

With the assistance of a grant from JumpStart Fredericksburg, the ACA Office is undergoing a facelift.


Local artists Gary Duquette and Deborah Booth are renovating the side of the ACA Office that looks out towards Riverfront Park.

The design is centered around the Rappahannock River's flow from above the confluence all the way to the Chesapeake Bay, with a few iconic Fredericksburg scenes thrown in!

Stop by and see how the mural progresses over the next few weeks.


Learn more about how the ACA gives back to the local community.

Before

Deborah & Gary at work

Progress!

Paddle 4 Humanity

The Watermanʼs Applied Science Paddle for Humanity started as grass roots paddling event back in 2009 as a way to bring the paddling community together in support of a common cause. Since that time the race has grown to become the largest national paddling series and has raised thousands of dollars for its non- profit partners. Join ACA National Office staff member August 25, 2012 and support ACA Paddle American Club, the Washington Canoe Club!

Community has always been the keystone of the PFH and the success of the series can be measured by the ability to bring the paddling community together to raise awareness and funds for causes we believe in. To this end, the PFH will be opening the series to traditional paddleboard, Stand Up Paddling (SUP), Outrigger Canoes, OC-1, OC-2, Kayaking, rec and specialty regional divisions.

Instructor Trainer Photo's

Calling all ACA Instructor Trainers (ITs) and Instructor Trainer Educators (ITEs):

We need an action photo of you for the:

• ACA website - Find Instructors - Google map feature
• ACA Facebook page - IT / ITE Photo Gallery

This will enhance the expererince of ACA members and the general public when they surf the ACA website looking for a certification course.

Plus, it will also allow ya'll to put names with faces of other ITs and ITEs from across the country.

Please email your photo to Kelsey in the SEI Department.

Thanks for your consideration!

Whitewater Canoe

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Journal of Paddlesport Education - July Edition

The ACA is excited to announce the next edition of the Journal of Paddlesport Education. This re-invented publication is a collaborative effort from the SEI Department and ACA volunteers. This new format includes peer reviewed professional articles as well as articles, updates and other information from the Safety, Education and Instruction Department of the ACA National Office.

Check out the Journal of Paddlesport Education page on the ACA website to learn more!
www.americancanoe.org/JournalofPaddlesportEducation

Highlights in this issue:

• Teaching and Learning Paddlesports
• SEI Department Update - Level 3: Coastal Sit-on-Top & Level 1: Introduction to Canoeing
• SEI Department Spotlight - IT & ITE Facebook Pictures
• Upcoming Outreach
• Featured eStore Items
• SEI Online Resources
• New Prodeal
• Important Dates

Read now Issuu / PDF

ACA President earns Elite Designation

Robin Pope volunteering his time

ACA President Robin Pope recently earned the prestigious honor of Academy of Wilderness Medicine Fellow.  He is one of only 200 people in the entire world who have achieved this designation.

Read the entire article here.

Robin was also the 2007 winner of the ACA Excellence in Instruction Award.

Congratulations on both accounts!

Teaching Swiftwater Rescue

Introduction to Canoe - Course Updates

Photo Courtesy of Ed Daugherty & Falling Creek Camp

Revision to ACA Canoeing Curriculum:

If you are an ACA Level 1: Introduction to Canoe Instructor (or higher), please review the new curriculum for the following:

• Level 1: Introduction to Canoe - Skills Course
• Level 1: Introduction to Canoe - Skills Assessment

If you are an ACA Canoe Instructor Trainer, please review the above and the following:

• Level 1: Introduction to Canoeing - Instructor Criteria

If you have any questions, please contact the SEI Department.

Happy Canoeing! 

Sit on Top Kayaking Course - Updates

Photo Courtesy of Nigel Law

The ACA's Sit on Top Kayaking Instructional track now goes all the way to Level 3: Sit on Top Coastal Kayaking.

Do you guide fishing trips from a SOT?
Teach kayaking at a resort?

Learn more about the ACA's Sit on Top Kayaking Program:

• Skills Courses and Assessments
• Instructor Criteria

A special thanks to Ed Schiller and the ACA's Coastal Kayak Committee for all of their volunteer work to make this happen! 

Want to get involved?  The next SEIC Meeting is in Charleston, SC on November 1st.

National Award Nominations Due this month

Nominate someone you know

Do you know of an individual, paddling club, or organization who has gone above and beyond?

Every year the ACA recognizes these people, clubs and organizations on a national stage.  Nominate your local hero today. 

Award Nomination Submission Deadline: Monday, July 30, 2012

ACA National Paddlesport Award Nomination Information

ACA to Sponsor Eppie's Great Race

Join ACA National Office staff, Trey Knight, at Eppie's Great Race® July 21 in Sacramento, CA.   

Eppie's Great Race® is known as "The World's Oldest Triathlon®" and the "No Swim" Triathlon and is one of the largest paddling events in the United States!

The race features a 5.82-mile run, a 12.5-mile bike and a 6.35-mile paddle held along the scenic American River Parkway in Rancho Cordova and Sacramento. 

Make sure to stop by the ACA booth!

http://www.eppiesgreatrace.org/%20

ACA Office - Closed Today

In honor of Independence Day (July 4th), the ACA Office will be closed.

We will re-open tomorrow, Thursday at 9am.

Enjoy your day out on the water!

Midwest SUP Festival

Join ACA National Office staff, Trey Knight, at the Midwest SUP Festival July 14 in Middleton, WI.  A bigger, better, bolder 2012 Midwest Standup Paddle Festival will hit the shores of Lake Mendota at Bishops Bay Country Club, Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15, featuring lessons, demos, paddleboard yoga and clinics for all ability levels, plus a race and more.