Your Chance to Influence the Future of Paddlesports Education

The National On-Water Standards Team, funded by US Coast Guard grants, is seeking input from recreational paddling and rowing educators across the nation. Do you have a few minutes? Complete this survey and make your voice heard!

This is your opportunity to impact the development of free recreational paddling and rowing (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, etc) standards/rubrics that can be voluntarily used by educators when developing boating courses. 

Take the survey today! 

For more information, please contact K. Brian Dorval, On-Water Standards Facilitator at 716-994-2842 or brian@thinkfirstserve.com

Steve Scherrer, an ACA Instructor Trainer

Looking for something to enjoy with your Saturday morning coffee? Check out this video from the "We are Confluence" series that features Steve Scherrer, an ACA Instructor Trainer. 

Steve began working with Confluence in 1986 as a dealer and now he is their Training and Technical Specialist. 

So get to know Steve while you enjoy your cup of Joe!

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

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.

 

Canoe Kayak and Paddle Company - ACA Pro School

CKAPCO provides ACA Instructor and Trainer certifications in Kayak or Canoe as well as skill development classes for beginners through advanced paddlers. CKAPCO also offers ACA and BCU skill and safety assessments, as well as full and half day trips just for fun! Top end boats and gear are provided. CKAPCO is proud to be the first ACA Pro School! 

DC and Baltimore metro locations.

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

Conservation Newsroom

Check out the Conservation Newsroom!

The Conservation Newsroom is the newest section on the Stewardship webpage.  Click on the link to check out the new articles relating to NOAA Marine Debris Program, the White River being designated as the second National Blueway, and the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order Report.

Sugar is Sweet

Did you know that ACA members have an exclusive vacation benefit? It's called Sugar Island, in the heart of the Thousand Islands chain on the St. Lawrence River. You may visit any time during the season, but you'll get to know about the ACA--and the "Sugar Islanders"--more by visiting during the annual encampment, this year taking place July 26 through August 9. Prices are very affordable, but you have to be an ACA member to visit.

The beauty of the island is that it's entirely rustic, and about as primitive as you can get when it comes to camping. Still, the islanders know a thing or two about good times, especially the Thursday night pot luck. You're also within a mile or two of shore, where the Misty Islands Resort provides many amenities (and a place to park so you can drive into Gananoque, Ontario, when you need a dose of urban life, or a few groceries).

For beginners, there's plenty of gentle-water coves to explore. Or you can opt to take a lesson in canoe-sailing from a friendly islander. The wildlife is astounding, and I hear the fishing is great, too.

I visited last year with my family, and my oldest daughter keeps asking when we're going back. I'm just about to make a call to reserve a spot.

Happy paddling!

Martin A. Bartels
ACA Executive Director

How we work for you

This has been an inspiring weekend for Americans, but especially so if you live in the DC region (ACA offices are in Fredericksburg, Virginia, about an hour south of DC). 

Regardless of your political persuasion, if you paddle, you're probably well aware of the many issues that combine to create pressure on our recreational waterways. Environmental concerns, world energy needs, and development all influence your experiences in canoes, kayaks, and rafts. It doesn't stop there: motorized boating regulations, navigability, and even Homeland Security concerns all have impacts on where you paddle.

You may not be as aware of the long, proud history of the American Canoe Association in advocacy and stewardship. The ACA works with local paddle clubs to establish water trails that increase paddling opportunities and help protect fragile waterway environments. We work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and other legislative bodies at the national, state, and local levels to help mitigate the impact of regulations, while keeping our mission of paddler safety as a priority. We work at the federal level to help influence government spending on critical environmental protection initiatives. And, we partner with other like-minded nonprofits around the country to represent the millions of people who love outdoor recreation.

When you support the ACA, you not only support our daily mission and operations. You help make your back yard a better, safer place to paddle.

Happy paddling!

Martin Bartels

ACA Executive Director

New things @ americancanoe.org

ACA staff members are excited about our new website. We've made everything easier to navigate, and raised the profile of some of our great membership benefits. Did you know, for instance, that ACA members have exclusive access to ACA's Sugar Island (pictured above) on the St. Lawrence River? It's an incredible experience, and the local canoe-sailing and kayaking is phenomenal.

We've also added new pages on all of the various paddling disciplines, from surf kayaking to the elegant freestyle canoeing. You can access some awesome videos through that page, too. In fact, keep your eyes open over the next couple of months: freestyle canoeing will be featured on the Discovery Channel program, "Wreckreation Nation" (Tuesdays at 10pm)!

Happy paddling!

Martin A. Bartels

ACA Executive Director 

 

New Year, New Website, New Blog

Welcome to the American Canoe Association Water Blog. We'll take a slightly different approach to the usual blog in the sense that these entries will be written collectively by ACA staff.

For those of you who know us, we hope you'll visit our blog often for event updates, tips, and favorite paddling spots.

For those of you who don't know us, we're located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, along the Rappahannock River. Founded in 1880, the ACA is one of the most enduring outdoor recreation nonprofits--501(c)(3)--organizations around. We work to keep people safe on the water, whether canoeing, kayaking, or rafting. 

There are more than 4,000 ACA-certified paddlesport instructors out there, so odds are if you're interested in the sport there's someone near you who can help you get started. We also support more than 150 Paddle America clubs. Visit the ACA website at www.americancanoe.org for more information and to become a member.

Meanwhile, happy paddling!