The ACA Pumpkin says...

Have a Happy Halloween!

See you on the water this weekend at the National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit.

Look stylish, stay warm and support your ACA!

The ACA logo fleece vest

The ACA logo fleece vest is the perfect choice for the cool fall weather when it's still too warm for your winter coat.  Fleece vests are also great as a middle layer during the cold winter months.

These navy blue vests include the ACA logo embroidered on the front.  They have zippered pockets and are 100% polyester filament R-Tek fleece.

Buy your ACA fleece vest today from the ACA eStore.  Login to your membership account and receive your membership discount!

Reel Paddling Film Festival Comes to Charleston, SC

Join local Charleston area boaters and other paddlers from across the country for an exciting evening of paddling video's! Reel Paddling Film Festival and Rapid Media founder, Scott MacGregor (direct from Palmer Rapids, Canada) will be the host for the evening.

When: Friday, November 2, 2012
Time: 8:30pm
Where: Charleston, SC
Location: The Tides at Folly Beach
Room: Pavilion C

Tickets
Included with a National Paddlesports Conference Registration
Purchase Online - $12
Or, at the door - only $15

Proceeds benefit the Charleston Waterkeeper and the ACA's Stewardship programs.

Paddle your way through Greece!

Opa! The ACA is planning an excursion to the land of philosophy and politics next September and inviting its members to join them!

Spend a week kayaking the Mediterranean Sea, bicycling through Greek towns, and taking in the Greek culture on the island of Poros. 

Poros Island and adjacent coastlines provide the perfect location for short and longer kayaking trips. Visit nearby small islands, the volcanic peninsula of Methana, or circumnavigate Poros Island. Sunrise and sunset paddles in the Greek islands are some of the most breath taking views in the world. 



Beside paddling, there are several other activities available on the trip so invite your non-paddling companions, too!

Don't wait, book your trip today! 

Details:
Dates: Sept. 1 - 8, 2013
Location: Island of Poros, Greece
Cost: $1,399
Hosts: ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Barbara Cutter and Adventurer Tourism Services


For more information, click here. 

Office Closed - Hurricane Sandy

The ACA Office will be closed on Monday, October 29th due to weather.

We plan to re-open on Tuesday depending upon the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy - NPC

Hurricane Sandy - NPC

 

Sunday morning, October 28, 2012 - The ACA National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit will still take place, as scheduled in Charleston, SC. Should Hurricane Sandy's track change, the actual conference schedule will be updated appropriately.

Please check www.americancanoe.org daily for additional updates.

Paddle America Club Waivers - now online!

Paddle America Club (PAC) members are required to submit a new waiver to the ACA when they renew their membership each year.  

Beginning immediately PAC members may complete the waiver as an online form through the ACA website.  It's quick and easy, and it sure beats generating yet more paperwork!  

Simply sign in to your account on the ACA website and hover over the Insurance tab in the left navigation bar.  There you will find the Adult Waiver and the Minor Waiver.

Assuming your PAC's membership is current with the ACA, this waiver is valid for all properly registered club events.

3rd annual Europe Paddlesports Conference

Maboge, Belgium - conference site

The 3rd annual ACA Europe Paddlesports Conference took place in the beautiful village of Maboge, Belgium over the weekend.

Instructors, Trainers, and members from 6 countries attended the three day event.  Classroom sessions, on-water programs, the annual Europe Division meeting and banquet, and two river trips highlighted the weekend.

ACA Instructor Trainer Heinz Goetze was also presented with the Presiden't Award for his years of service to the ACA. 

Heinze Goetze receiving the ACA President's Award

Learn more about the 2013 Europe Paddlesports Conference just outside of Zurich, Switzerland.  It's in conjunction with Paddle Expo and the International Whitewater Hall of Fame ceremony.

Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, Nov. 1-4

The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, an eco-paddling event on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, is a perfect way to blend two things on everyone’s minds today – how to take an environmentally friendly vacation that doesn’t break the budget.

The festival is designed for novice and experienced paddlers alike. It spans four days with events Nov. 1-4 in Fort Myers-Sanibel Island and Matlacha-Pine Island at sites along the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, recognized as one of the best U.S. kayaking.

The festival offers clinics and demonstrations, speakers’ program, hospitality events,  and chances to win two kayaks and other prizes. There also are moderately priced nature and cultural tours, waterway cleanups, a family-friendly race for canoes, kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards, and a catch-and-release kayak-fishing tournament. A nature photography contest rounds out the offerings, as does a children's activity tent.

The Southeast Tourism Society has named the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival to its Top 20 events list for three straight years!


For More Information and to Sign Up, Visit http://www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com/

October 2012 Journal of Paddlesport Education

The October 2012 Edition of the Journal of Paddlesport Education is now available.

Highlights in this issue:

• It's All in Your Angle Not Your Speed
• Kokatat Instructor of the Month
• SEI Department Update - Submit an Article
• National Paddlesports Conference Update
• SEI Department Spotlight - In Memorium
• ACA Members Only Excursion Highlight
• Upcoming Outreach
• Featured eStore Items
• SEI Online Resources
• Important Dates

Read now Issuu / PDF

Costa Rica Rios Members Only Excursion 2012

ACA Staff Member, Kelsey Bracewell, recently returned from the 2012 ACA Members Only Excursion to Costa Rica!

Hosted by Costa Rica Rios, this excursion was a week-long whitewater paddling trip for canoes, kayaks, and rafts. With their home base in scenic Turrialba, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Rios is the premier whitewater paddling outfitter in Costa Rica - they have been voted 'One of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth' by National Geographic Adventure!

Check out a great video of the trip - click here!

Does this look like fun? Sign up for one of the 2013 ACA Members Only Excursions!

Membership Benefit - Rapid Media Subscription

Choose your Rapid Media title

Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots, and Kayak Angler magazines published by Rapid Media, are all geared toward the paddling, fishing and outdoor enthusiast.  Rapid Media publishes three times per year - Spring, Early Summer, and Summer/Fall.

As part of the ACA Membership benefits, members choose from one of 4 titles from Rapid Media.  Members may even choose how they have it delivered - mail, online, or to their iPad/iPhone.  Members may also subscribe to additional Rapid Media magazines at a special ACA Member rate.

Members receive their first edition in the mail along with their membership card.

ACA members, if you would like to change to a different title for future issues, or go from a print to a digital subscription, please contact the Membership Department.

ACA Kayak & SUP Classes in Long Beach!

Get off the Dock at Strictly Sail Long Beach! October 18-21

Action Watersports and the American Canoe Association are proud to partner with Strictly Sail Long Beach to offer a variety of on-water activities for people of all ages to get their ‘feet wet,’ including paddling and sailing demos, clinics and seminars during 2012 Strictly Sail Long Beach, October 18-21, at the show’s new Try It Cove in Rainbow Harbor. Come see and try the latest products with a variety of new kayaks and paddleboards, including the new C4 inflatable Stand Up Paddleboards, plus daily sailboat rides and instruction. E-mail event@actionwatersports.com for more info.

Europe Paddlesports Conference

Join the ACA in Maboge, Belgium for the 3rd annual ACA Europe Paddlesports Conference:

• October 19-20
• Europe Conference schedule & information
• ACA Europe Division Leadership

Maboge

Members-only access to Sugar Island

Sugar Island brochure photo

A Brief History...

In 1880, Nathaniel Holmes Bishop sent out a brief letter inviting passionate paddlers to convene, and thus the American Canoe Association was born.  In 1901, the ACA acquired Sugar Island, a small island on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River.  Today, Sugar Island is still the location of annual summer encampments open to all ACA members.

Paddling at Sugar Island

Sugar Island is an ideal family camping and canoe-kayak base located near the border of Canada and New York, 100 miles north of Syracuse, New York.


This primitive island has been popular with paddlers since the turn of the century!  If you enjoy rustic camping in an isolated and pristine environment, breathing clean air and paddling in crystal clear water, a stay at Sugar Island may be just the place for you.  Plan ahead for next summer and find out more about Sugar Island now.

Whitewater Symposium & ACA

Join the ACA this weekend at the Whitewater Symposium in White Salmon, Washington.

Leading whitewater experts from across the country will converge at the Wet Planet Whitewater Center on October 12-14th.

The ACA will be presenting on two topics:

• Whitewater SUP Standards & Legislation
• Why Use the ACA curriculum in your program?

Join the symposium.

Learn more...

R3: Rescue for River Runners Episode 5

Episode 5 of Rescue for River Runners is released!

Rescue for River Runners is a series of educational videos in swiftwater rescue.  This video series is the product of Five2Nine productions, the ACA and several other supporting partners.  The ACA is excited about this new resource!  Stay tuned for new episodes at www.americancanoe.org/R3 or the ACA YouTube Channel!

ACA Paddling Videos

Recently the ACA Safety, Education & Instruction Department Staff have had the great fortune to participate in some ACA paddling programs with members.  
Education & Outreach Coordinator, Trey Knight, helped ACA SUP Instructor Trainer Charlie MacArthur teach a Level 3: River SUP Instrcutor Certification Workshop at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Also, ACA Safety, Education & Instruction Coordinator, Kelsey Bracewell, joined up with Costa Rica Rios for the ACA Members Only Excursion in Costa Rica on the famous Week of Rivers trip.  Make sure to keep an eye out for the 2013 Member Only Excursions announcements!

To help share these great experiences with other paddlers and ACA members the staff have made a few videos that have been uploaded to the ACA YouTube Channel.  Be sure to subscribe to stay up to date as we continue to bring you great paddling videos.

Columbus Day

ACA National Office in Fredericksburg, Va

The ACA National Office will be closed today, October 8th for Columbus Day.

We will re-open Tuesday, October 9th at 9:00am EST.

Be safe, and have fun out on the water today!

Jon Bowermaster - ACA Keynote



Jon Bowermaster

 Paddling and conservation icon, Jon Bowermaster will address the ACA National Paddlesports Conference as the Keynote Speaker on Saturday, November 3 in Charleston, SC.

Amazing Wordwide Expeditions

Tickets to hear Jon are available online (and are limited).

Join the ACA for a great evening of awards, food, drink...and Jon Bowermaster!

Jon Bowermaster

Stewardship Coordinator Position

Join the ACA Staff - and make the world a better place to paddle!

The ACA is now seeking qualified applicants for a Stewardship Coordinator position.

Position Description:

The Stewardship Coordinator position has primary oversight of the development and management of the ACA's new nationwide water clean-up program. In addition, this position will serve as the primary point of contact for all paddlesports related stewardship questions, development and promotion of WaterTrails and will manage the ACA's Club Fostered Stewardship Grant program. The Coordinator will also develop, organize and execute a series of Paddle Green Festivals across the country. This position will work with other staff, volunteers, the general public, and the appropriate committees and councils of the ACA. The Stewardship Coordinator must work with a high level of diligence and courtesy while enforcing a national standard of care. This position reports to the ACA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director.

Job Duties:

• Develop, implement and manage the ACA nationwide water clean-up program
• Pursue grant funding for this new water clean-up program
• Develop and promote WaterTrails
• Manage the ACA's - L.L.Bean CFS Grant program
• Develop, organize, and execute a series of Paddle Green Festivals across the country
• Serve as the Policy Chief for the ACA on the Outdoor Alliance
• Work with committees and groups in regards to paddlesports stewardship related issues
• Potential travel to conferences, events and meetings to further ACA position and address stewardship and outreach issues
• Update portions of the ACA website and social networking sites
• Serve as the initial contact for general stewardship queries
• Communicate appropriately and effectively with the general public
• Provide staff assistance at programs and events as needed
• Work related travel: 10-15%
• Other duties as assigned

For complete position information and online resume submission, please visit: www.americancanoe.org/employment

Canoe Racing!

Race with the ACA

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Head to western North Carolina to the Nantahala and Tuckaseegee Rivers to either participate in or watch:

• ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals & North American Championships
• ACA Southeast Collegiate Race Championships

A great weekend of open canoe racing with the ACA in western North Carolina.

Be on the lookout for staffer's Trey & Kelsey in the ACA Subaru's.

Subaru. The official vehicle of the ACA.

Member Benefit - Paddlesport Conference

The conference targets all facets of the paddlesport community.

Did you know that one of the benefits of ACA membership is attendance at the National Paddlesports Conference and SUP Summit?  

Date:  November 2-4, 2012

Location:  Charleston, SC

Facility:  The Tides - Folly Beach

Register Now!

The 2012 Conference has a range events:  educational sessions, open social functions, instructor updates, a SUP race, the Reel Paddling Film Festival, and a variety of pre- and post-conference courses, clinics, and workshops.  

Find more information on the Detailed Schedule.

Western NC Regional SUP Summit

 Staff Trey Knight on Nantahala Falls

Come join the ACA for a regional Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Summit. This summit is targeted at camps and collegiate outdoor programs.  As such the summit will take place as part of the ACA Collegiate Race Series Southeast Championships on Saturday October 6 after the day's races have concluded around 6:00 PM at the NOC.

The SUP Summit will focus on education and instruction.

There will be discussions on:

• Best Practices
• Course Curriculum Development
• Expansion of the sport
• Leashes, Life jackets and Legislation

Western NC Regional SUP Summit Agenda

The Western NC Regional SUP Summit will take place at the NOC Welcome Center on river left just over the bridge.

Please contact tknight@americancanoe.org with any and all questions.

CRS Virginia Registration Is Now Open!

Attention Virginia Collegiate Paddlers!

Registration for this years Collegiate Race Series Virginia Championship is now open! This race will take place in Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 13th and 14th, 2012.

You can register online HERE, by clicking the link below Registration Information.

For additional information visit the ACA website at the CRS Virginia Championships webpage, or by contacting Trey Knight at tknight@americancanoe.org.

We hope you to see you out on the Rappahannock River!