Friday, August 30, 2013

Welcome new ACA Competition Coordinator!


New ACA Competition Coordinator - Adam Tremper

Please welcome Adam Tremper to the ACA Staff!

Adam is the new Competition Coordinator for the ACA and will assist volunteers with the 5 ACA National Championship Events, the Collegiate Race Series, and the 200 paddlesport races the ACA sanctions across the country each year. 

He was raised in Stafford County, VA where he ran track and field and cycled competitively. When he wasn't participating in races, he was organizing events for an outdoor activity program for high school students. He moved to Richmond in 2007 to run track for VCU and study education. While in Richmond he discovered whitewater on the James River and began kayaking and rafting with the VCU whitewater club and outdoor adventure program. 



After graduation he made a brief move to Buena Vista, Colorado to work as a raft guide, safety kayaker, and kayak instructor. He returned at the end of 2012 to work in the Richmond City Public School system as a teacher and track coach. He still lives in Richmond where he continues to paddle and instruct regularly with his girlfriend Emily.

Learn more about your ACA Staff.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

New FREE item in ACA eStore!



ACA Paddle Safe-Have Fun waterproof placards are a free resource for your paddlesports program.  All you pay is shipping and handling!  

The placards are waterproof and have basic essential safety information for your program participants or customers. Placards are shipped in packs of 100.  Order your placards from the ACA eStore.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

2013 Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour at NPC

The 2013 Reel Paddling Film Festival will screen at NPC


Rapid Media's annual Reel Paddling Film Festival presents the best paddling films to audiences around the world. The festival is a film contest awarding winning films in 10 categories.  The winners and other shortlisted films tour to more than 100 cities.

The Reel Paddling Film Festival is produced by Rapid Media, a valued partner of the ACA. Rapid Media provides an excellent membership benefit to ACA members - a free subscription to one of their four magazines:  Rapid, Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots, and Kayak Angler magazines. ACA members also receive great discounts on additional subscriptions to their magazines.

Don't miss your opportunity to be inspired by these great paddling films.  The 2013 Reel Paddling Film Festival will screen at the National Paddlesports Conference in Bend, OR.  


  • When: Thursday, September, 26, 2013
  • Time: 8:30 p.m.
  • Where: The Tower Theatre (tentative), 835 NW Wall Street, Bend, OR 97701
  • Tickets:  1 included with your Conference registration

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance and the ACA's Stewardship Programs.


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Don't Forget to Use the ACA's Online Waivers




As a service to our members, Paddle America Clubs, and event organizers, the ACA now has an online waiver system.

Events
Check an event's webpage via the Event Calendar to see if the event coordinator has chosen to use online waivers for their event.  If you are an event coordinator and would like to utilize online waivers for your event, please contact the Insurance Coordinator for details.  

Paddle America Clubs (PACs)
If you are a member of an ACA Paddle America Club and you are signing your annual waiver, please click here.

Note, you will then need to login to your account to proceed.  If you need assistance with logging in, please contact the Membership Department.

Instruction Courses
At this time, the process for using an online waiver for ACA instruction courses (skills, assessments, certifications, and endorsements) is still under development.

Monday, August 26, 2013

ACA If Found Paddlecraft Decal



The ACA If Found Paddlecraft Decal is the new and improved version of the great "boat sticker" you've come to rely on in case your canoe, kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard ever goes missing.  A great new feature of this decal is the inclusion of the If Found web address.  The ACA's If Found website provides an online form where you can enter detailed information about your vessel, where it was last seen, and even upload a photo so that the ACA may assist with your recovery efforts.

Decals are sold in packs of 10.  Buy a pack of If Found Paddlecraft Decals from the ACA eStore and share some with your paddling friends.

Friday, August 23, 2013

International Whitewater Hall of Fame

An ACA Partner

If you're an ACA member, and you would like to attend the 2013 International Whitewater Hall of Fame(IWHoF) Induction Ceremony, we have a ticket for you - at no cost!

The ACA is proud to partner with the IWHoF to provide an exclusive benefit to our members throughout Europe, as well as an folks from the U.S. who would like to travel oversees for the event.

Learn more about the IWHoF Induction Ceremony here.

Also, while you're in Europe, you can attend the 4th annual ACA Europe Paddlesports Conference that starts the very next day...now isn't that convenient!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Partnering for Paddlesports


Everyday, ACA staff and volunteers work on behalf of paddlers and the bodies of water we recreate on.

But, we can't do it alone, so we've partnered with a wide range of other companies and organizations.

Learn more about these ACA Partners for Paddlesports.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

NPC at Mount Bachelor Village Resort in Bend, OR


The 2013 National Paddlesports Conference and Whitewater Symposium will be held at the Mount Bachelor Village Resort in Bend, Oregon.  





Mount Bachelor Village Resort

  • 30 minute drive from Redmond Airport
  • Located within Bend City limits, and just 3-5 minutes from downtown
  • Resort overlooks the Deschutes River, with a 2 mile river hiking trail on the property
  • Room sharing is available: Room Sharing form
  • VIP parking for Subaru vehicles
Discounted rates are good until September 1, 2013. So don't delay - make your reservations today!  

Register for the 2013 National Paddlesports Conference and Whitewater Symposium here.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Kayak Deck Slates with Listo Grease Pencil - New ACA eStore Item!

Keep Notes about Your Day on the Water

Apply kayak deck slates (UV coated vinyl stickers,) just forward of your cockpit and you'll be prepared to take notes on everything from weather observations to student progress. 

The left slate is printed to record daily tidal highs/lows or current information.  The right slate is blank, making it the perfect location to record whatever comes to mind. Each order comes with an accompanying Listo grease pencil.

Buy your kayak deck slates from the ACA eStore today.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Rescue PFDs, Mechanical Advantage, Cinch Systems



Want to learn from the best in the river rescue industry?

Join the ACA at the Swiftwater Rescue Conference in western North Carolina on the Tuckaseegee River in October. 

Learn who is presenting, click here.

Online registration is open, but space is limited.

Complete information at: www.americancanoe.org/SWR_Conference

Friday, August 16, 2013

Heather Herbeck - Kokatat Instructor of the Month

Heather Herbeck - going above and beyond

The ACA - Kokatat Instructor of the Month for August is Heather Herbeck, from White Salmon, Washington. Originally hailing from the Midwest, Heather credits this area with her early interest and development in whitewater paddling. According to Heather, “A lot of people don’t realize how much amazing class III-V whitewater exists along the North and South Shores of Lake Superior.  I’ve always been drawn to waterfalls and slides, and this area offers a lot of this.  But, one of the main reasons I choose the Midwest as one of my favorite destinations is the people.  The Midwest brews some of the most humble, passionate and fun paddlers in their truest form. The people make my paddling experience just as much as the quality of whitewater I’m paddling.” 

Heather has been paddling for 12 years, and has been an ACA Instructor for 8. As an instructor, Andy Round (owner of Precision Kayak) and J.R. Weir (ACA Instructor Trainer at Sundance Kayak School) have sculpted and helped Heather develop her teaching skills.  She is very grateful to have learned from some of the best.

Heather has been fortunate to have participated in many meaningful paddling programs through her years of teaching, which include women’s clinics and kids week-long camps.  Near and dear to her heart is the organization ‘First Descents,’ which provides outdoor experiences to cancer survivors; Heather has been a part of First Descents for over five years. She also proud to be a part of the group ’Flux;’ Flux is a group of women who participate in various extreme sports, with the goal in mind to empower and inspire women to “push their limits”.  Heather started this group along with Mariann Saether in 2011.  The Flux group of women come from a variety of backgrounds, but have the common denominator of pushing themselves and showcasing themselves in a positive way to influence women and girls to ‘use the outdoors as their playground.’


Learn more about past winners here.



Thursday, August 15, 2013

A Paddle Green Event - Maine


The ACA is teaming up with Maine Island Trail Association for their 25th anniversary. Join us for family-friendly events, boat demos, instruction by ACA instructors, a short paddle to Fort Gorges, clean the shorelines, workshops, speakers, exhibits and a evening party.
  • Saturday, August 31st
  • East End Beach, Portland, Maine

Email events@mita.org for full details! 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

New to the ACA eStore - ACA Instructor Candidate Packets

Save Time in Your Pre-Course Prep Work!

ACA Instructor Candidate Packets are the latest resource to assist you in preparing your Instructor Candidates before their certification course.  They are sold in packs of 10 and each one contains:

  • ACA Imprinted folder
  • ACA National Paddlesports Instruction Program Overview
  • Instructor FAQ sheet
  • Adult waiver
  • Course Evaluation form
  • Who Can Teach What? document
  • Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)
  • Skills Course Registration & Report forms
  • Assessment Course Registration & Report forms
  • Benefits of ACA Membership flyer
  • ACA sticker
  • Multiple brochures
  • SEIC Coordinator's business card
  • An empty slot for your business card



Each ACA Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Candidate Packet also includes:


  • 2 SUP Waterproof Placards
  • ACA's SUP Survey Report

Visit the ACA eStore to buy these and other ACA Instructor materials.


Monday, August 12, 2013

International Paddlesports Ambassador

Dave Burden teaching in China

Meet the latest ACA staff member, Dave Burden:

As a professional kayak guide and expedition leader for over 20 years, Dave has paddled all across the country and around the world.  His list of favorite paddling destinations includes New Zealand, China, Baja, Maine, and the San Blas Islands of Panama.  Of course he’ll insist that no place in the world can measure up to the marshes, barrier islands, and coastal creeks of the Eastern Shore of Virginia where he is on the water every chance he gets.

Dave guiding rafts in Iraq
You can meet Dave at any of the following ACA events this fall:

Dave is an ACA certified Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor & a Level 2: Essentials of SUP Instructor.
At home on the eastern shore of Virginia

Learn more about your ACA Staff, working everyday on behalf of paddlesports.

Friday, August 9, 2013

NPC Registration - Monday August 12th



Registration for the ACA National Paddlesports Conference and the Whitewater Symposium goes live online this Monday, August 12th.

Space is limited, so please reserve your place next week.

Complete information - NPC & WW Symposium 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Whitewater Symposium in Bend, Oregon!

The Value of Partnerships

The ACA is excited to announce it is partnering with the Steering Committee of the Whitewater Symposium to co-host this industry leading event in 2013.

The Whitewater Symposium will be held in Bend, Oregon at the Mt. Bachelor Village Resort and Tumalo Creek Outfitters.

Save the Date: September 27-29, 2013

*Online registration opens on Monday, August 12th.

For more information on the 2013 Whitewater Symposium, please visit:

                                                                                              

Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation. The ACA has over 30,000 members, and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organizations.  The ACA sponsors over 4,200 events each year, including 200 races.  The ACA education program has an estimated outreach of 800,000 people a year.



The Whitewater Symposium seeks to advance the spirit of whitewater paddling through bringing leaders of the sport together. Its focus is on generating new ideas to support the future of whitewater among those who are genuinely passionate about it. Collectively, paddlers have the greatest potential to influence the future of whitewater. The Whitewater Symposium program seeks to involve all those who actively love whitewater sport. This includes intermediate paddlers who want a deeper appreciation for paddlesport. The Symposium also supports the grassroots feeder programs that encourage new and continued participation, empowering more people to take on productive roles in stewarding whitewater paddling development.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

National Paddlesport Standards Survey


USCG Project Experts Launch National Human Propelled Boat Standards Survey

Portsmouth, RI (July 29, 2013) — A team of experts assembled with U.S. Coast Guard  (USCG) grant funding seeks national content validation of a set of entry level, skill-based Human (manually propelled) boat operation standards. This is your opportunity to impact the development of recreational paddling and rowing (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, etc.) standards across the country by completing this on-line survey.

WHAT: The National On-Water Standards Team, funded by USCG grants, is seeking input from recreational paddling and rowing educators across the nation on a first-round set of standards to be used to assess the performance of Human propelled boating skills at the entry level. Following the survey, the standards will be updated to reflect input from paddlers and rowers nationwide and eventually validated and updated though a national field-testing program.


WHEN: The survey will be conducted July 31 – August 30, 2013.

WHO: Recreational paddling and rowing enthusiasts and especially those with experience in On-Water teaching or training are urged to participate in an on-line survey designed to collect feedback on the content of these entry-level, skill-based standards for manually propelled boating.

WHY: By completing this survey you will have a voice in the design of a national set of HUMAN boating standards for recreational paddlers and rowers in the US. This effort is part of the US Coast Guard’s (USCG) vision of a National System of Standards for Recreational Boat Operation – that will organize both classroom and on-water standards within a comprehensive system of recreational boating education. The system will address standards for three domains of recreational boating: SAIL, POWER and HUMAN propulsion.

US Sailing has been awarded grant funding from the U.S. Coast Guard to facilitate a consensus-based process by which a team of diverse SMEs from across the recreational boating community develop entry level, skill-based performance standards for recreational boat operation. An objective grant facilitator is designing and managing the collaborative development of SAIL, POWER and HUMAN propelled standards that will eventually be recognized (not mandated) by the US Coast Guard for incorporation in recreational boating training programs nationwide.

CONTACT:         For more information, please contact K. Brian Dorval at 716-994-2842 or brian@thinkfirstserve.com

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Only One Month Left to Register for Sea Kayak Georgia ACA Paddlesport Week!



Don't miss out on your chance to attend the 2013 SKG ACA Paddlesport Week on Tybee Island, GA, September 11-15.  Extend your summer and get one last warm paddle in before the season slips away.

ACA courses and specialized skills training courses will be offered.  Get all the details about the available courses and registration here:  Sea Kayak Georgia.

Don't miss out!

Friday, August 2, 2013

River in a Box?

Tell me and I will forget
Show me and I may remember
Involve me and I will understand

Rivers can be difficult to navigate, and it is important to understand them before swimming, walking or paddling in them. Tom Lindblade, an ACA Instructor, has a fun and interactive way to teach people the complexities of a river. Check out the video below to see exactly what a 'River in a Box' is and how it can help you understand a river!





Thursday, August 1, 2013

Kokatat - a Proud Partner of the ACA




For over a year, Kokatat has been a supporting partner of the ACA and the exclusive sponsor of the ACA's Instructor of the Month Recognition Program

Since 1971, Kokatat has been making paddlesports apparel and gear in Arcata, California. From the beginning, Steve O'Meara, Kokatat founder and president, believed that if they kept production local, the company could produce quality products and continually develop the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world. Kokatat takes pride that over 90% of their annual revenue comes from the sales of products handmade in their Arcata factory. 

Kokatat products are developed by paddlers for paddlers. All products are backed by a lifetime guarantee against defects in manufacturing or material. 

To learn more about this quality company and ACA partner, click here