ACA Among National Paddling Film Fest Winners

For 34 years, the National Paddling Film Festival has been hosting a competition to determine the best in paddlesport videos and images. This competition has provided the paddling community with a fun and profitable event to support American Whitewater and river conservation. 

This year, the ACA won the Best Professional Safety/Instruction category! Watch our winning videos at www.americancanoe.org/AnimatedVideos

We are honored to be recognized among this year's top films, and we hope this spreads the message of safe paddling to an even broader audience. 

There's Still Time...

The ACA is thrilled to be offering the Club Fostered Stewardship Grant Program for the 13th year in a row. If you are interested in applying, act fast. The deadline for applications is tomorrow, February 27th. 

Want to know more about previous grant recipients? Check out some of these great projects that have been funded through our CFS Program over the last 10 years.

Click here to access the CFS Grant online application. If you have any questions, please contact ACA Stewardship Coordinator, Zane Havens.

Good luck, and keep up the strong stewardship work, paddlers! 

International Paddling Film Festival Coming to Virginia

The ACA presents the 10th Annual Reel Paddling Film Festival at the Byrd Theatre (2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA) on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm (doors open at 1:30 pm).

The Reel Paddling Film Festival is an international film tour presenting the world’s best whitewater, sea kayaking, canoeing, SUP and kayak fishing action and paddling lifestyle films of the year on screens in 100-plus cities across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Australia.

With 23 inspiring paddling films short-listed for the World Tour, including the ten festival category winners, audiences can expect to see stand-up paddle surfing, hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, headwaters canoe expeditions, international river travel films, motivating environmental documentaries, grueling kayak fishing battles and hilarious short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life. 

With your $10 ticket to the ACA’s Reel Paddling Film Festival screening you will receive free entry to a raffle, with prizes generously donated by Whole Foods, Walkabout Outfitters, Peak Experiences, and many others.

Adult libations will be sold at a cash bar to audience members who are 21 and over, courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Company.

Proceeds from ticket and drink sales will go to the Stream to Sea Initiative, the ACA’s flagship stewardship program that organizes and promotes on-water cleanups of inland waterways as a method of combating marine debris pollution.

The Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour is produced by Rapid Media and presented in Richmond by the ACA on 3/21/2015 at 2:00 pm.

For tickets and information please visit: www.americancanoe.org/event/paddlegreenRPFF

Paddlesport Jobs Board

The ACA Career Center has expanded its services! 

Visit www.americancanoe.org/Employment to discover this great resource for job seekers and employers alike. 

FYI: There is currently an open position at the ACA National Office for a Membership Coordinator. Visit the Career Center website to learn more!

We're Hiring!

Want to work at the ACA? A position has just opened up! 

Please visit www.americancanoe.org/Employment for details. 

Canoecopia 2015

Experience the best antidote for March's cabin fever! Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world, with over 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing. 

Over 100 seminars, speakers and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can learn everything you need to know to select, purchase and use the perfect gear for your style of paddling.

The ACA Midwest Division Meeting will be held on March 14th from 6-7pm. This is a fun, interactive get-together where you can network with other paddlers, learn all about the Midwest Division, and see how you can get involved with the ACA.

Click here to learn more! We hope to see you in March.

CFS Grant Deadline Fast Approaching

Need funding for your local stewardship efforts? Apply for a Club Fostered Stewardship Grant!

CFS grants are available for projects that utilize volunteers in efforts to protect, maintain or restore recreational waterways, to provide for or improve public access, or to enhance safe navigation. Eligible projects include: cleaning up waterways, clearing in-stream safety hazards, maintaining access areas, erecting signs and controlling erosion, establishing and maintaining paddle trails, acquiring threatened access points, and providing sanitary facilities. Grant amounts range from $100-$1,000.

We are accepting applications through Friday, February 27th, 2015, so apply today!

#WearIt!

We are excited to share North American Safe Boating Campaign's new Winter/Spring PSAs! 

Click here to download the PSAs and use them to promote boating safety in your community.

14 Whitewater Boat Buying Tips

Thinking of buying a new whitewater kayak? Click over to Rapid Media to see what the experts think you should know first.

ACA Office Closed Today for President's Day

The ACA Office is closed today and will reopen on Tuesday, February 17. Have a safe and happy long weekend, paddlers!

Share the Love of Paddling This Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, give your paddling friend or family member an ACA Gift Membership so they can support safe, enjoyable paddling and protection of America's recreational waterways. 

Visit our estore to purchase an ACA Gift Membership today! After you make your purchase, we will send you a card that you can print out and give to your gift recipient. Spread the paddlesports love!

5 Benefits of Pool Sessions

Winter got you down? Pool sessions are the answer! Practice your paddling skills indoors and get ready for the upcoming paddling season. 

Here are 5 reasons you should give pool sessions a try:

1. Predictable Environment

The pool setting can alleviate a great deal of anxiety by providing a comfortable and warm environment. This can make all the difference when learning or improving any paddling skill from bracing to rolling to bow stalling. Mastering a skill through mental and muscular repetition makes it much easier to perform in a more chaotic situation. Devoting even 15 minutes at a pool session can open new doors.

2. Get to Know Your Community

Attending a pool session can expose you to a wealth of knowledge and experience. In addition to the possibility of hearing tricks and techniques from certified kayak instructors you can also gain information on local river runs, projects and trip opportunities. Pool sessions are also a fantastic way to meet other kayakers with your same goals as well as kayakers with different skill sets. These connections can lead to friendships, paddling buddies and support your overall paddling goals.

Click over to the Sundance Kayak Blog to read the full list!

Photo: Zach Collier

Then visit www.americancanoe.org to find ACA-certified instruction near you. 

Additional Rapid Media Subscriptions - Now only $10

Did you know? All ACA members get a FREE subscription to one of Rapid Media's 4 magazines. And now, additional Rapid subscriptions are just $10!

Click here to learn more, and contact our Membership Department to make sure you are getting the most out of your ACA membership today. 

"This is such a win for everyone with so many options. ACA members choose the magazine they want and they can also choose how they have it delivered - mail, online or to their iPad/iPhone. Members may also add additional magazines at a special ACA member rate. We've always been the innovative media company who truly cares about paddling. Everything we do here is about growing and supporting paddlesports..." -Scott MacGregor, Rapid Media Founder & Publisher

ACA Among Winners of 2015 Reel Paddling Film Fest

The ACA's animated video "Top 10 Tips for Canoeing & Kayaking Safely" has just won the Instructional category of the 2015 Reel Paddling Film Fest World Tour! To view the full list of award-winning films, click here. 

www.americancanoe.org/AnimatedVideos

The RPFF World Tour is an international paddling film tour with 23 short-listed films screening in 100 cities hosted by paddling shops, clubs and events. Visit reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com for the most up-to-date tour schedule.

The ACA and USACK Announce a Game-Changing Partnership!

The ACA and USACK Board of Directors have just announced a joint partnership. ACA Executive Director Wade Blackwood has been named Chief Executive Officer of USACK and will lead both organizations.

Read the full press release at www.americancanoe.org/USACK

Save the Date: East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival

Winter may not be over yet, but that doesn't mean we can't start gearing up for the great paddling events coming up this Spring! 

The ACA is proud to be sponsoring the East Coast Paddlesports & Outdoor Festival (ECPOF) again this year. Come enjoy this amazing opportunity to meet and learn from experts in their respective field of paddling, as well as other knowledgeable paddlesport enthusiasts.

ACA presenters, and some of the topics they will be covering, include:

Ben Lawry 

-Biomechanics of Paddling

-Essential Fuel for Paddlers

-Dryland Rolling

-Intermediate Sea Kayak Surfing

Chris Stec

-How to select a SUP

-ACA Instruction Q&A

-SUP Trip and Group Management

-Solo Canoeing (aka Obedience Training for Your Canoe)

Matt Hite

-SUP Surf Session

Todd Johnstone-Wright

-Risk Management for all Paddlers

-What Makes an Effective Instructor

-Rescues & Recoveries Outside the Box

And more! Click here for a full schedule of the ECPOF programs and activities. And don't forget to mark your calendar. We'll see you in April. 

Congratulations to February Kokatat Instructor of the Month, Mike Zeppegno!

"I love the work and seeing the progression of our students. Experiencing their enjoyment and confidence on the water is very rewarding. Marna Powell, one of my earlier instructors, taught me the concept of “pay it forward” which encompasses the idea of passing on what we have learned to other paddlers."

-Mike Zeppegno

Congrats, Mike! Keep up the excellent work.

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized as the next Instructor of the Month? Submit a nomination here! 

Paddling Through History On The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

"We knew we were being watched. We skimmed across the water, with our paddle blades rising and falling in a quick cadence. From its tall perch atop a pine, a bald eagle slowly rotated its white-feathered head and kept its eyes on us as we paddled further across Menokin Bay towards Cat Point Creek.

Though this bay is said to be the Rappahannock River’s largest tributary, with several holes plunging more than 30 feet deep, our five kayaks were alone on the water..."

Click over to the National Parks Traveler blog to read the rest of the story.

Best Wishes to Joe Moore

The ACA would like to thank Education & Outreach Coordinator Joe Moore for his years of dedicated service to the association. He has recently moved on to another career opportunity.

However, we have a feeling you'll still see him teaching Adaptive Paddling Workshops and a few SUP courses!

Please join us in wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Don't Miss The Alabama Cup Races

It's that time of year again! The rivers are running and the Alabama Cup Races are just around the corner. 

Race Dates are:

• Locust Fork Invitational - Feb. 7 & 8, 2015
• Mulberry Fork Canoe and Kayak Races - March 7 & 8, 2015
• Locust Fork Whitewater Classic - March 28 & 29, 2015

Visit www.alabamacupraces.com to register today.

Need a Gift For Your Valentine?

On February 14, give your valentine an ACA Gift Membership so they can support safe, enjoyable paddling and protection of America's recreational waterways.

Visit our estore to purchase an ACA Gift Membership today. After you make your purchase, we will send you a card that you can print out and give to your loved one. 

Thank you for supporting the nation's oldest paddlesports nonprofit organization. The ACA is able to fulfill its mission because of the generosity of members and donors like you. 

CFS Grant Application Opens Today!

Need funding for your local stewardship efforts? Apply for a Club Fostered Stewardship Grant! The application will go live at 12pm today on our website: www.americancanoe.org/cfs_info

If you have any questions, please contact ACA Stewardship Coordinator Zane Havens at zhavens@americancanoe.org.