ACA Event Calendar - Where to Find Fun Near You

Looking for paddling events and classes near you? Check out the ACA Event Calendar. 

Whether you are searching for a canoe/kayak/SUP class, an upcoming race, or an adaptive paddling workshop, you'll find a wide range of events on our event calendar to boost your skills while having fun! 

(Pro tip: Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to filter by event type or location.) 

Adaptive Expeditions Nearly Triples Number of USA Paracanoe

Paracanoe shipment arrives in Charleston, SC.

Adaptive Expeditions, Charleston’s Paralympic Sports Club and Disabled Sports USA Chapter, is excited to take delivery of forty Paralympic sprint racing kayaks called Paracanoe. Adaptive Expeditions imported the kayaks into Charleston, SC from NELO Kayaks in Vila do Conde, Portugal. The shipment is part of Adaptive Expeditions’ contract to manage two grants for the ACA and USA Canoe Kayak, the National Governing Body for the Paralympic sport of Paracanoe. The grants were awarded from the Craig H. Neilson Foundation and US Department of Veteran Affairs. No official count of USA Paracanoe exists, but estimates indicate that this shipment nearly triples the number of Paracanoe within US borders.

As part of the grant management contract, Adaptive Expeditions’ executive director, Joe Moore, will lead eight two-day adaptive kayak trainings around the country this summer. The goal of both Grants is to better enable USA based adaptive kayak clubs to develop elite level Paralympic athletes for the 2020 Paralympic games.

Paracanoe will debut at the Paralympic games later this year in Rio.

Paracanoe on the racks.

ACA & Werner Paddles: Partnering For Cleaner Waters

The ACA is proud to be a Werner Paddles Healthy Waters partner again this year. 

Werner Paddles is committed to promoting access to rivers, lakes, streams and ocean paddling. They are a valued industry partner of the ACA as their support directly enhances our efforts both to advocate for clean water as well as increase access to all waterways across the country.  

When you purchase a Werner paddle, your purchase will go toward supporting the company's Healthy Waters program and the ACA's Stewardship initiatives. 

Have You Seen the New Paddle Smart WebTV Series Yet?

A few months back, we asked what you, our members, wanted to see more of from the ACA... and many of you said, "More videos!"

So, in response to the cry for more video content, we are excited to announce the Paddle Smart WebTV Series!

www.americancanoe.org/WebTV

This series was made possible by generous grant funding provided through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is administered by the United States Coast Guard. The goal of this video series is to reduce paddlesport related accidents by providing immediate knowledge through short and focused instructional videos.

The series cover the paddlesports disciplines of Stand Up Paddleboarding, Recreational Kayaking and Kayak Fishing and each series consists of 12 episodes that are entertaining and to the point.

Whether you are just starting out in the sport, or you've been paddling for years, there's something for everyone to learn from this exciting series. But you don't have to take our word for it. See for yourself. You can easily find the videos all in one place, at: www.americancanoe.org/WebTV

We hope you enjoy, and please let us know what you think!

2016 ACA National Awards - Nominations Now Open!

Every year, the ACA recognizes several individuals and organizations who exemplify outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to paddlesports. Nominations for the 2016 National Awards are now open!

• Legends of Paddling 
• Excellence in Instruction
• Sanctioned Event of the Year
• Green Paddle for Waterway Conservation
• Joe Pina Volunteer of the Year
• Stroke of Achievement
• J. Henry Rushton
• Outstanding State Director
• President's Award

If you would like to nominate a paddler for one of the honors above, please visit www.americancanoe.org/awards for more details on how to submit your nomination.

The submission deadline is Friday, July 29, 2016.

Looking for a Last Minute Father's Day Gift?

Father's Day is Sunday, June 19! Do you know what makes a great last minute fit for dad? An ACA Gift Membership! 

Whether your dad is a seasoned paddler, or just starting to get into the sport, an ACA membership will connect him to a community that loves what he loves. 

Plus, ACA membership is the best way to support safe, enjoyable paddling and protection of America's recreational waterways all year long. 

ACA Gift Memberships are available in our eStore. 

Happy Father's Day to dads everywhere!

ACA Grant Project Brings Paddlesports Education to Underserved Communities

ACA Staff on day two of training for Fort Meyers USCG Grant Course, June 16, 2016 (T.J. Turner, Mike Hammond, Peg Phillips, Brandy Minchew, Michael Shugg, & Tommy Thompson).

ACA staffer T.J. Turner is currently leading a grant project (funded by the US Coast Guard) focused on creating sustainable paddlesports education for underserved and underrepresented communities. This grant project will allow the ACA to increase our current capability to conduct on-water instruction for a range of individuals and organizations across the country. 

The project will increase instructors' skills and abilities, get underrepresented community members out on the water, create community partnerships, and further promote safe paddling culture.

By empowering the adults in the selected communities with appropriate boating knowledge and skill, this grant project will be both replicable and sustainable in future years for those locations. This will provide a sustainable source of local education that will contribute to the decrease in both fatalities and accidents for both the current and future generation of boaters.

To learn more about this grant project, please visit:
http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=USCGUnderrep2015 


You may also contact ACA Education and Outreach Coordinator, T.J. Turner with any questions.