ACA announces new President

ACA President - Anne Maleady

March 29, 2013 (Fredericksburg, VA): The Board of Directors has elected long time industry veteran and recreational paddlesport advocate, Anne Maleady to serve as the next President of the ACA, the nation’s oldest paddlesport organization.


“As the ACA broadens the scope of its outreach in order to enhance services and programs to the entire paddlesports community, Anne has the unique passion and career background to continue to guide the association in a positive direction,” stated ACA Executive Director Wade Blackwood.

As paddlesports participation reaches approximately 50 million people a year, the ACA has created the leading Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) educational program in the country, increased its event outreach by 40%, expanded its insurance program for clubs, and surpassed 7,000 certified Instructors. The ACA’s Stewardship Department has begun to tackle the Marine Debris issue through the Stream to Sea Initiative and the Competition Department has grown the Collegiate Race Series across the country.

An avid rafter and recreational kayaker, Anne worked for 33 years in retail management in the outdoor industry, volunteered her time on several outdoor-related nonprofit boards, and has served the paddlesports community on the ACA Board of Directors since 2006.

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

Hempstead Bays and South Oyster Bay

Want to Help Shape the Future South Shore Blueway?

April 4, 2013 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Freeport Recreation Center, 130 Merrick Road, Freeport, LI

Upstairs Meeting Room

• Identify new launch sites

• Map routes to key waterfront places

• Suggest ways to promote safety

• Explore ways to tell the rich history of local waterways

Register online at South Shore Blueway

River Rally

Join ACA Stewardship Coordinator Greg Rolf at this great event!

Registration is open for the 2013 River Rally Conference:

• Location: Doubletree Hotel - Union Station. Saint Louis, MO 
• Date: May 17- 20

Click here for registration

Subaru has expanded their VIP Program!

Subaru is the Official Vehicle of the ACA

One of the ACA membership benefits is the Subaru VIP Program which allows members to be eligible to save up to $3,300 off the manufacturer's suggested retail price on the purchase or lease of a new Subaru from participating dealers.  Subaru has lifted the restriction on which models are eligible so that you may use this discount on any Subaru model!

What makes this an even sweeter deal is that Subaru also supports the ACA's stewardship and conservation programs.  For every vehicle purchased by an ACA member through the VIP Program, Subaru makes a contribution to support the ACA's stewardship work.  It's a win-win-win situation!

Member Benefit - Free Rapid Media Subscription

Choose your magazine

All ACA members receive a free subscription to your choice of one of the magazine titles from Rapid Media.  Your magazine subscription is conveniently renewed each year when you renew your ACA membership.  There are four magazines from which you may choose.

Canoeroots, North America's only canoeing and family camping magazine celebrates the rich tradition and heritage of canoeing.  Every issue is packed full of news, techniques, gear and tips from the best outdoor writers and photographers.

Kayak Angler is the world's #1 kayak fishing magazine.  Each issue features editor's picks on gear, tips and tactics, hotspot reports, angler profiles, and more.

Rapid is the whitewater kayaking and canoeing magazine.  Inside every issue are the hottest whitewater boats and gear reviews, best rivers, top athletes, and coolest new tricks you'd expect to find in an industry-leading paddling magazine.

Adventure Kayak is for sea kayakers, touring kayakers, and lake-water kayakers.  It will inspire you with smart, informative editorial, mixing in human interest stories and the lifestyle that is this sport's massive appeal.


Become an ACA member, or renew your membership today and start receiving your free Rapid Media magazine along with all the other awesome ACA membership benefits.

New book by ACA 2012 Legends of Paddling recipient, Larry Zuk

Stories of a Century of Canoeing and Canoes

In Stories of a Century of Canoeing and Canoes, Larry Zuk shares his stories from over seven decades of experience in touring, racing, race design, instruction, coaching, building canoes, kayaks, paddles and rigs, and so much more.  Zuk is a National Championship winner many times over.  He was born into the Zuk ACA family membership in 1923 and has literally written canoe history!

Buy your copy of Stories of a Century of Canoeing and Canoes from the ACA eStore.  Don't forget to login to your account to receive your membership discount.

ACA Member Discounts

Did you know that all ACA Members are entitled to discounts at a variety of organizations?  Visit the Member Discounts page to see the ever-growing list of those who offer discounts.  

These organizations range from outfitters to ACA Pro Schools, from paddlesport specialty stores to boat manufacturers.  Subaru continues to offer a great discount to ACA members through the Subaru VIP Program.

Use your ACA member discount today to save some money and to let these organizations know their generosity is appreciated!

Raff Taff - ACA Pro School

RAFFTAFF, located in the south-west corner of Germany, provides open canoe, sea kayak, swiftwater rescue and SUP skills courses and assessments. ACA Instructor Trainer Raphael Kuner offers instructor certifications as well as trip leading assessments. They are one of the rare places in Europe to get ACA SUP instruction; and due to the fact that Raphael is the one and only ACA swiftwater-rescue instructor in Europe, the only school to get ACA rescue instruction. Besides this, their canoe camp is right in the middle of the Black Forest and their home base is located at the river Rhine. These are perfect places for canoeing, SUPing and kayaking. 

To learn more about this ACA Pro Schools visit www.rafftaff.de or www.americancanoe.org/proschools

ACA Rack Pads

ACA Rack Pads are ready for action

Secure the ACA Rack Pads to your car's crossbars for convenient transport of your SUPs, kayaks and canoes.  The foam padding is covered with 100% acrylic, no-fade fabric and is printed with the ACA logo in white.  The split bottom pads have both Velcro and elastic closures, are 18" long and fit 1" round or square crossbars.  One set equals 2 individual pads.

Order your ACA Rack Pads from the ACA eStore today and prevent damage to your board or boat as you transport it from place to place.  Don't forget to login to your account to receive your ACA membership discount.

Paddle Green Event

Join the LoCo `Yaks for the first Paddle Green Event of the year! Click here to register 

ACA Trailer Flag

Make your boat more visible on the road

Show your ACA pride while making your boat or trailer more visible with the ACA Trailer Flag.  This eye-catching red flag with the ACA logo in white is made of durable rubber for many years of use.

Buy your ACA Trailer Flag from the ACA eStore today.  Don't forget to login to your account to receive the membership discount.

Thank You to Trey Knight

A many of many talents - Trey Knight

The ACA would like to thank Trey Knight for his years of service to the paddlesports community as the ACA's Education & Outreach Coordinator. 

"We truly appreciate Trey's dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of all those who paddle nationwide." - Chris Stec, ACA Chief Operating Officer

Please join us in wishing him all the best in his next endeavor, working at the US National Whitewater Center.

Learn more about your ACA Staff...

East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival

 This upcoming April on the 19-21 you might want to head down to Charleston, SC for the East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival.  This 3 day gathering has something for everyone.  The event will continue to feature kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboarding that will bring together enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels with world renowned instructors and equipment manufacturers. They will also have something for all outdoor related activies.  Watch a slack line demonstration and try it out yourself. Learn about Leave No Trace ethics and ways you can be a good steward to the environment while camping or spending time outdoors. Hear about the park’s adaptive recreation programs tailored to individuals with disabilities. Try out mountain biking, archery, skateboarding and disc golf. Scale the park’s portable climbing wall or high ropes course. The event will also feature awe-inspiring demonstrations by the Gibbon Slack Line Team. After getting your fill of outdoor excitement, attendees will be able to enjoy tasty fare from food vendors on site at
the park, as well as beverages including beer.

Locust Fork Classic - Alabama Cup Racing Series

The Alabama Cup Racing Association has announced the Alabama Cup Racing Series.  The third of these three races, the Locust Fork Classic, will take place on March 23 and 24.  The Alabama Cup Racing Association is continuing their "Bring a new racer and get your second race FREE" this year.  The race is spectator friendly and features walking trails right beside the course.  The race will also feature a raffle, silent auction, food, live entertainment, awards banquet, environmental education and more.

To learn more or to register please visit www.alabamacupraces.com

“ROCK THE BOAT” FEATURED AT LARGEST U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

 

The award-winning documentary "Rock the Boat" Saving America’s Wildest River will receive its Washington D.C. premiere as part of the 21st annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.  

• Screening at the National Museum of American History, Sunday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m., with Q&A to follow, and on Friday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum. 
• Both screenings are free, and no reservations are required.

Join Director Thea Mercouffer’s and George

Wolfe, the lead kayaker in the film who has been recognized with the Green Paddle award by the American Canoe Association.

 

Florida Canoe Symposium - This Week

If you are near or traveling to the north Florida region this upcoming weekend consider joining in at the Florida Canoe Symposium in Yulee, FL at Florida State College.  

This event will take place March 15-18 and features excellent instruction in a quiet water venue for people wishing to improve their skills in paddling and precise control of their canoes. Courses are offered in all skill levels and are taught by ACA certified instructors.

To learn more or to register visit www.freestylecanoeing.com

Ken Kastorff to present at SWR Conference

Kayak & Rescue Instructor - Ken Kastorff

The ACA is excited to announce that Ken Kastorff of Endless River Adventures join the world class crew of presenters at the upcoming Swiftwater Rescue Conference this fall.

Presentations and educational sessions are alreay online.

Mark your calendars!

All the big names in swiftwater rescue are already scheduled to be there, how about you?

MTI Partnership

Non-ACA members receive a 1-year membership

The ACA has partnered with MTI Adventurewear to provide more resources to people who purchase lifejackets.

Look for this hangtag on select 2013 MTI lifejackets at a retailer or paddlesport event near you to find out how.

Learn more...

REI Outdoor School - ACA Pro School

Ready to launch into a new outdoor activity or advance in one you already enjoy? REI Outdoor Schools can get you on your way! They offer beginning to advanced-level classes and outings in kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, navigation, snowshoeing, road cycling, backpacking and more. And you don’t need a lot of equipment to participate: they provide kayaks, bikes, snowshoes, GPS units and other gear. And most importantly, their professional instructors are committed to sharing their knowledge and ensuring an enjoyable experience for every participant.

To learn more about this ACA Pro School visit www.rei.com/outdoorschool or www.americancanoe.org/proschools.

• Atlanta, GA: Atlanta-OS@rei.com
• Boston, MA (New England): NewEngland-OS@rei.com
• Chicago, IL: Chicago-OS@rei.com
• Denver, CO: Denver-OS@rei.com
• Los Angeles, CA: LosAngeles-OS@rei.com
• Washington DC / Virginia / Maryland: DC-OS@rei.com
• Minneapolis / St Paul, MN: Minneapolis-OS@rei.com
• New York – Tri State: NewYork-OS@rei.com
• Portland, OR: Portland-OS@rei.com
• San Diego, CA: SanDiego-OS@rei.com
• San Francisco Bay, CA: SanFrancisco-OS@rei.com
• Seattle, WA – Puget Sound: Seattle-OS@rei.com
• Sacramento, CA – Reno, NV (Sierra): Sierra-OS@rei.com

University of Minnesota Duluth Recreational Sports Outdoor Program - ACA Pro School

Recreational Sports Outdoor Program is dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and connections to the natural world through personal and professional experiences. They offer certification course in kayak, canoe and SUP as well as guided trips and skills courses to the campus and general populations.

To learn more about this ACA Pro School visit www.umdrsop.org or www.americancanoe.org/proschools.

 

Office Closed - Wednesday

The ACA Office is closed today due to snow and road conditions.

We will re-open on Thursday, March 7th at 9am EST weather permitting.

March Edition of the Journal of Paddlesport Education is Released

The March 2013 Edition of the Journal of Paddlesport Education is now available.

Highlights in this edition include:

• Paddlesports: Statistics, Standards, and Challenges 
• ACA Swiftwater Rescue Conference 
• ACA Employment Opportunity 
• Kokatat - ACA Instructor of the Month 
• ACA Members Only Excursions 
• ACA Pro School 
• SEIC Meeting 
• SEI Audit 
• Upcoming Outreach 
• Important Dates

Read now on Issuu or in a downloadable PDF

To learn more about the Journal of Paddlesport Education visit www.americancanoe.org/JournalofPaddlesportEducation

Garden State Sea Kayak Symposium

Tuktu Paddles & the Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association (JSSKA) along with regional outfitters and guide services are partnering to host the Garden State Sea Kayak Symposium on June 8th and 9th 2013. The weekend event will include top names in the kayaking community offering training in:

• Surfing
• Rough water paddling
• ACA instructor classes
• Kayak fishing
• Greenland rolling
• SUP
• Canoeing 
• and more....

They have a great waterside location close to a variety of water conditions in South Jersey. Full details about the symposium are on the event website at www.tuktupaddles.com/gssks.html.

ACA Employment Opportunity

Start your career in paddlesports

Ever wanted to work in paddlesports education at the national level?

The ACA announces an employment opportunity in our Safety Education & Instruction Department.

The Education & Outreach Coordinator position is now open until filled.

Learn more...

Work for the oldest paddlesports organization in the U.S.