Kayaking book & DVD

Kayaking book, includes DVD

Kayaking presents the basics of this exciting and popular sport as well as the skills and knowledge required for becoming a successful paddler.  

Throughout this book, expert kayaking instructors provide you with

• practical guidance on gear and equipment selection, nutrition, fitness and stretching, water trail etiquette, and safety and survival skills;
• step-by-step paddling techniques for flatwater, river and whitewater, and sea kayaking, as well as instruction on more complex maneuvers and rolls;
• useful consumer, technique, and safety tips; and
• Web-based resources to help you plan trips throughout the world and find paddling organizations and instructors.

In addition to the detailed photos and illustrations, this book includes the Quick Start Your Kayak DVD to reinforce the paddling strokes and safety information found in the book.  It features videos of kayaking maneuvers, which will make anyone capable of learning the basics.

This introductory book presents the techniques and skills you need in order to enjoy your water adventure and then challenges those skills with more complex rolls and maneuvers   After reading Kayaking, you'll feel confident enough with your kayaking skills to test more challenging waterways and even overnight or extended trips with friends and family.

Buy your copy of Kayaking from the ACA eStore.  Don't forget to login to your account to receive your membership discount!

Rescue for River Runners Episode 7 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 Instructor Certification Exam - A Review

This past September, Jeremy Vore, an avid paddler, took the Sea Kayak Instructor Certification Exam with ACA Instructor Trainer Sam Crowley. After completing the course, Jeremy candidly blogged about his experience, highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

To read his blog post, click here.

Individual Membership Levels of Support

Did you know that there are Individual Membership levels that you may choose from when you renew or become a member of the ACA?  It's true, the ACA has Bronze, Silver, Gold and Green levels of individual membership.  What's more, individuals who join the ACA at these higher membership levels receive added benefits in addition to the standard membership benefits.

The ACA Logo T-Shirt is one of the additional benefits of joining at the Bronze Paddle membership level.

You may choose one of the two "Essentials..." books at the Silver Paddle membership level.

At the Gold Paddle membership level one of the benefits is one complimentary registration to the ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

The Green Paddle membership level allows you to choose a custom ACA canoe or kayak paddle from Foxworx Paddles.


Learn more about the benefits associated with these higher levels of ACA membership.

Blind Adventurer Erik Weihenmayer Attemps to Kayak the Colorado River

Erik Weihenmayer knows no fear. Considered one of the most accomplished blind athletes in the world, Weihenmayer has a list of accomplishments most people can only conceptualize. 

His resume includes climbing Mt. Everest, marathon runner, acrobatic skydiver, ice climber, and completing the Seven Summit.  In 2013, Weihenmayer plans to add kayaking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon to his already impressive list of achievements  Weihenmayer is currently training for his kayak adventure at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C. with Casey Eichfeld and Pablo McCandless, both former Olympic paddlers. 

The ACA whole-heartily supports Weihenmayer in his attempt to paddle the Colorado River. 

For more information on Weihenmayer's paddling adventure, click here.  

To learn more about the ACA's adaptive paddling courses, click here. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

The ACA Board of Directors and National Office Staff are thankful for all you do to continue to improve paddlesports and the waterways we all recreate on.  We wish you and your family an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day.

The ACA Office will re-open on Monday, November 26th at 9:00am.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.

Back by popular demand!

You heard about how amazing the 2012 ACA Costa Rica Week of Rivers excursion was. And we know you are bummed you didn't have a chance to go. That's why the ACA is offering it again in 2013! 

Join the ACA on this 8 day all-inclusive paddling tour and experience the pristine whitewater rivers of Costa Rica hosted by Costa Rica Rios. Become immersed in the unique nature and culture of Costa Rica and this spectacular country will offer you boundless opportunities to fulfill your paddling dreams!

This completely organized all-inclusive kayaking package allows you to have the most hassle free experience possible while maximizing your time spent on the river. The highly skilled guides are able to accommodate all skill levels and will personalize the trip specifically to your kayaking abilities and paddling aspirations to ensure you get the most out of your boat adventure. 

Costa Rica Rios will provide all logistics of your stay, including airport and/or hotel pick-up and drop-off, private transportation, accommodation in B&B, jungle lodge and hotel, all meals, all equipment, and river entrance fees. 

ACA SEI Coordinator, Kelsey Bracewell, had the opportunity to go on the 2012 Costa Rica Excursion. To check out the highlight video of her trip, click here!

Details 

Dates: September 21 - 28, 2013

Cost: TBD

Host: Costa Rica Rios

November Kokatat-ACA Instructor of the Month

We are excited to announce the winner of the November Kokatat Instructor of the Month, Susan Patterson.

The ACA SEI Department caught up with Susan recently. 

ACA: How long have you been in paddlesports?
Susan: 8 years

ACA: What is your favorite paddlesport?
Susan: Sea Kayaking – expeditions, exploring and surfing
 

ACA: What is your favorite boat? What about the boat made it your favorite?
Susan: P&H Scorpio LV – indestructible, throw on edge and spin on a dime, great rocker and roller, comfy cockpit, it’s fast and and students love to paddle it!

ACA: Tell me a little about one of your favorite places to paddle?
Susan: Cumberland Island, GA. I did a circumnavigation with Geneva Kayak – absolutely loved the Atlantic Ocean surf zone!

ACA: Who has influenced you most in your paddling career?
Susan: The staff and paddlers from Geneva Kayak and Sweetwater Kayaks inspired and encouraged me – amazing world class paddlers.

ACA: What drew you to become an ACA Instructor?
Susan: After spending two years trying to learn from books and videos, and tired drinking a lot of lake water; I went to Geneva Kayak for excellent ACA instruction and certification. My joy is sharing what I’ve learned with new paddlers so they can quickly feel confident, safe and skilled to take care of themselves and others in their kayaking adventures.

ACA: What do you consider your hometown paddle/run?
Susan: Shawnee Mission Park Lake, KS is a nice quiet paddle, while Longview Lake, MO can kick up some waves and a fun ride with good wind, and the buzz of jet ski’s and ski boats. 

ACA: What is one place you still aspire to paddle? 
Susan: Tybee Island, GA – surfing !

Thanks to Kokatat for supporting the Kokatat Instructor of the Month. Learn more about Kokatat and the Instructor of the Month program.

Level 3: Whitewater SUP Instructor Certification Workshop

Charlie MacArthur during a L3 Certification Course in 2012

The ACA National Office is excited to play host to a Level 3: Whitewater SUP Instructor Certification Course. This course will start on flat-water locally in Fredericksburg and move on to local whitewater. If you are looking to up your SUP instructor abilities to the next level this is the course for you. The course will be taught by ACA staff Chris Stec and Trey Knight.

Course Dates: April 7-11, 2013

Location: Fredericksburg, VA

To learn more about the course or to register click here

Check out this brief video from last years course.

ACA Elections

ACA Election - Vote Today

The ACA is holding an election for six at-large members of the ACA National Board of Directors, appointments from the Competition Council and the Safety Education & Instruction Council, and elections for the Sugar Island Trustees.

All director positions are elected by the ACA membership for a two-year term beginning in 2013. The election of the nominees will be determined by the majority of votes cast by electronic and mail-in ballots returned to the ACA by members eligible to vote. In order to vote, you must be a current member of the ACA and over eighteen (18) years of age. The ACA requests that all eligible members vote on the slate of nominees by following these instructions:

• There are six (6) director positions available. You may choose up to six (6) of the nominees by checking the box to the left of each nominees name.
• There is one (1) director position available for the Competition Council. You may choose the nominee by checking the box to the left of their name.
• There is one (1) director position available for the Safety Education & Instruction Council (SEIC). You may choose the nominee by checking the box to the left of their name.
• There are two (2) positions available for the Sugar Island Trustees. You may choose the nominee by checking the box to the left of their name.

You may complete the voting online or download and mail in a ballot.

All ballots must be electronically received by January 4, 2013 or postmarked by January 4, 2013 and received by January 11, 2013.

Vote here.

Explore Honduras by kayak!

Escape the cold winter weather and join the ACA on an excursion this February in Honduras!  Hosted by Uncommon Adventures ACA Instructor Michael Gray and ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Josh Hall, two great opportunities await you on this trip! 

The first half of the excursion (February 2 - 7) is dedicated to earning your ACA Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification.  Your classroom setting will be the warm weather and crystal clear waters of Honduras. 

The second half of the trip (Feb 7 - 10) is a chance to kayak and snorkel the Meso-American Reef and take in the rich culture of Honduras. 

Don't have a whole week to spend? Take a long weekend! Whether you have the time to do one or both parts of the trip, this is an experience you won't want to miss!

So take a break from the dreary weather of February and brighten it up with the vibrant culture and rich heritage of Honduras! 


Details:
Dates: February 2 - 10, 2013
(Part 1: Feb 2 - 7; Part 2: Feb 7 - 10)
Cost: Part 1 - $1,450
         Part 2 - $895

For more information on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, click here. 

The holidays are just around the bend!

ACA Office and Store

Don't know what to get the paddler who has everything?  Head on over to the ACA eStore for great gift ideas.  We have great gift items for everyone on your list!


A book for the novice paddler...

Introduction to Paddling

Introduction to Paddling is an easy to understand guide to flatwater and river paddling.  This comprehensively illustrated book provides everything you need to know from appropriate clothing to the parts of the boat, from correct strokes to proper safety concern.

A shirt for the clothes horse...

ACA Women's Quick Dry Guide Shirt

The ACA Women's Quick Dry Guide Shirt provides superior UPF protection from the sun.  It dries quickly, has a v-neck collar and a relaxed t-shirt fit.  This shirt comes in blue or green.



A DVD for the adrenaline junkie...

RiverSUP DVD

RiverSUP Volume One is equal parts instructional video and action/adventure film.  Concise clips and articulate explanations usher the aspiring SUP river paddler through all sorts of river paddling, from coasting down mellow streams to the advanced techniques involved in paddling dangerous Class II & III rapids. Hosted by whitewater Yoda and ACA SUP Instructor Trainer, Charlie MacArthur.



A reusable ACA bag for the environmentalist...

ACA Green Paddle Bags

We all love the waters we paddle, and the ACA is helping paddlers everywhere take care of the waters they recreate. Green Paddle Bags are reusable mesh bags that are perfect to take with you when you paddle, camp, and play outside. Practice good stewardship by packing up your own garbage and picking up litter when you can. Do you part to help make the world a better place to paddle!

And for the paddler who truly has everything...

ACA Coat Rack & Letter Holder

The ACA Coat Rack & Letter Holder is a unique work of art is hand forged by Asheville, NC blacksmith Robert Blackwood. It's dual purpose of coat rack and letter holder makes it an ideal addition to any canoeist's home. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery as this item is custom made one at a time.

Don't delay, see all of the items for sale in the ACA eStore and check some of those names off your list today!  Remember to login to your account to receive your membership discount.

NPC Feedback

View from conference hotel

In order for the ACA staff and volunteers to continue to improve the National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit, we need your feedback.


It's only 8 questions long!

• Click here

Feedback ends on Friday, November 16th.

Thnaks for your time and support.

Veteran's Day

ACA National Office in Fredericksburg, Va

The ACA National Office will be closed today, November 12th in honor of Veteran's Day.

We will re-open Tuesday, November 13th at 9:00am EST.

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

ACA National Awards Announced

ACA Awards Ceremony

At the recent ACA Awards Ceremony & Annual Banquet at the National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit, the ACA was pleased to announce the following national award winners:

Legends of Paddling - Larry Zuk & Dr. David Jones
Excellence in Instruction - Josh Hall
Sanctioned Evetn of the Year - WWOC Downriver National Championships
Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation - Durbin Creek Wilderness Society 
Volunteer of the Year - Jimmy Blakeney
J. Henry Rushton - BIC Sport Paddle Surf
Stroke of Achievement - Lowcountry Paddlers
President's Awards - Heinz Goetze & ACA Staff

NPC Partner - Thank You!

On behalf of the ACA and all attendees, we would like to extend our thanks to all of the partners who made the 2012 ACA National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit a success.




































Coastal Kayaks

Ring in the New Year & Support the ACA!

Custom ACA Martini Glasses

This New Year's Eve gather your paddling friends and ring the New Year in ACA style...  Pop open a bottle of bubbly and toast to the new year using your custom ACA Martini Glasses.  Resolve to spend more time on the water.  Trade paddling stories with one another.  Share a toast to great friends and fun adventures.

Order your custom made ACA Martini Glasses from the ACA eStore now so you'll have them in time to celebrate.  If you're an ACA Member, sign in to your account to receive your membership discount.

Bend, Oregon

That's right, the 2013 ACA National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit is heading to Bend, Oregon next year.

Mark your calendars for September 27-29, 2013 and plan to join us in the spectacular outdoor-lifestyle city of Bend, OR.

Paddling in Charleston, SC

Site of the 2012 NPC

The 5th annual ACA National Paddlesports Conference & SUP Summit officially kicked off on Folly Beach, SC earlier today.

With the Reel Paddling Film Festival tonight, on-water events tomorrow, and the Golden Nugget SUP race on Sunday, this is the place to be this weekend.

To learn more about all the paddling trips, educational sessions, etc, please visit www.americancanoe.org/npc

Membership Benefit - Save up to $3,300 on a Subaru!

The ACA Subaru is ready to head to the water.

ACA MEMBERS SAVE UP TO $3,300 WITH THE SUBARU VIP PARTNERS PROGRAM!

Subaru is the official vehicle of the ACA and one of its corporate sponsors.

As part of Subaru's support for the association, ACA members are eligible to participate in the Subaru VIP Partners Program.  VIP Partners participants can save up to $3,300 off the manufacturer's retail price (depending on model and equipment selected) on the purchase or lease of any new Subaru from participating dealers.  This discount is available to all eligible ACA members.  No haggling is required.

How's that for a membership benefit?

What type of boat will you haul with your Subaru?

But wait, there's more!  

In addition to offering ACA members this great discount, Subaru also provides support to your ACA's stewardship and conservation programs.  When an ACA member purchases a Subaru through the VIP Partners Program, Subaru makes a contribution toward the ACA's stewardship work - helping to protect our nation's waterways.

If you would like to participate in the VIP Program, race on over to the ACA website for important details about this great program.