ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit Coming to Grand Rapids, Michigan, This Fall

The ACA will host its inaugural Adaptive Paddling Summit in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 15-17, 2014. 

Paddling enthusiasts from all over the globe are invited to attend the summit to refine best practices, network, learn, and have fun!

Registration will be available on the ACA website beginning May 1st, 2014. 

The event is sponsored by Subaru, Rapid Media, Disabled Sports USA, and West Michigan Sports Commission. If you have any questions about the Adaptive Paddling Summit, please contact ACA Education and Outreach Coordinator, Joe Moore.

Adaptive Paddling Summit

The first-ever ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit is coming to Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 15-17, 2014!

The summit will feature top speakers from the industry, on-water adaptive equipment demonstrations, educational sessions, and so much more. 

Online registration opens in May! Learn more here. 

There's Still Time!

In response to numerous requests, we are pleased to extend the deadline for the Adaptive Paddling Summit's Call for Presentation Proposals. The new deadline is 5pm on Monday, February 10, 2014. 

Learn more about the first-ever Adaptive Paddling Summit, and please help us spread the word!

Interested in Presenting at the Inaugural ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit This Year?

The ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 15-17, 2014.

We are currently accepting proposals from individuals, paddling clubs, and organizations who are interested in presenting at this summit. Please submit your proposals through the ACA's convenient online call for presenters form.

Geared toward professionals and enthusiasts working to bring paddlesports into the lives of individuals with disabilities, the ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit will include:

• High quality educational sessions
• The latest in adaptive equipment demonstrations
• Opportunities to refine best practices, network, learn, and have fun!

Learn more and mark your calendars. Online registration will be available starting May 1, 2014!

When Giving Up Just Isn't an Option

This is a guest post by Natty Cordon, a disabled whitewater kayaker from Bath, England. 

I guess it's not often that people get to achieve their wildest dreams as a result of their worst nightmare. I'm pretty lucky in that respect. 

In 2010, I injured my right leg and my life changed forever. Unable to walk on my leg now, I use elbow crutches to get around. 

Natty having a look at the 70 footer on the Middle Palguin in Chile.

The nightmare for me was seeing people do all of these things that I couldn't do anymore. Up until my accident, I had lived for sports. When that was suddenly taken away, it felt like my body was holding me back from being myself. 

I quickly realized that although I had to learn how to live in a different way, I was still the same person. I needed adventure in my life. I started kayaking. 

My first time paddling on whitewater gave me the sense of adventure and independence I had been longing for. It's hard to me to describe the freedom I feel when I'm on the water. It just feels right. I am no longer defined by my disability. My kayak becomes a part of my body and I can excel.  

Dropping in on the 70 footer on the Middle Palguin.

I didn't realize what I was doing was that different, until people started telling me how inspired they were. I have such an awesome group of paddling friends. I just feel like part of the team. We all help each other to achieve our dreams. I just need a little more help than most people do.

When I first came out of the hospital after my accident, if someone had told me that in a few years time I would be shooting a 70 foot waterfall in Chile and featuring in the same race winners table as Evan Garcia, there's no way I would have believed it. 

I now know that if I whole-heartedly believe in my dreams, anything is possible. 

I can't wait for my next adventure. 

Natty Cordon sustained a life-changing injury in 2010 at the age of 20. Today, she lives for whitewater kayaking, a sport that liberates her from her disability. You can find out more about Natty on her website: www.nattycordonkayaking.com

Want to share your story with other paddlers? Email clloyd@americancanoe.org 

You Helped Make 2013 a Great Year for Paddlesports!

As the end of the year approaches, the ACA would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all of our members, friends, and sponsors. Your support means the world to us. And if our oceans, rivers, and streams could talk, we know they'd be saying thanks, too. 

You're making a big difference by supporting the ACA. Here are just a few of the things we've accomplished with your help in 2013:

• Actively supported public policy to clean up America's waterways and protect paddlers' rights. Most recently, the ACA played a major role in the state of Maryland agreeing to provide more public bridge access to paddlers. We are currently working with other states, encouraging them to follow suit.
• Designed the ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit (the first event of its kind), scheduled for September 15-17, 2014. The ACA continues to spearhead new initiatives to bring paddlesports into the lives of those with disabilities.
• Certified 1,800 new ACA instructors, reinforcing the Gold Standard of ACA paddlesport education throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries.
• Created the International Paddlesport Ambassador Program. Read more about Dave Burden's efforts on behalf of paddlesports in the Middle East here. 
• Unveiled a brand new ACA insurance program for paddlesport outfitters, liveries, and guides. 
• Continued to provide safe and enjoyable paddlesports opportunities for youth nationwide. For example, the ACA recently partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to introduce a new Stand Up Paddleboarding Award for scouts. 
• And that's not all. Please visit our website to find out more about the ACA's ongoing initiatives in education, stewardship, competition, recreation, and more.

Do you want to help the ACA continue its important work on behalf of paddlesports? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the ACA National Office. We're always happy to hear from you!

Thanks for your support. 

Announcing the ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit

Save the date! The ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 15-17, 2014.

Geared toward professionals and enthusiasts working to bring paddlesports into the lives of individuals with disabilities, the Adaptive Paddling Summit will include:

• High quality educational sessions
• The latest in adaptive equipment demonstrations
• Opportunities to refine best practices, network, learn, and have fun!

The ACA is currently accepting proposals from individuals, paddling clubs, and organizations who are interested in presenting at the summit. Please submit proposals through our online call for presenters form.

Joe Moore, ACA Education and Outreach Coordinator, explains:

"This event presents a unique forum where we can all learn from experts and their specialties, and it presents an opportunity to teach and hone our own curriculum."

Learn more about the ACA Adaptive Paddling Summit, and mark your calendars. Online registration will be available starting May 1, 2014.