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.

The State Director Application Deadline is April 15th!

If you've been meaning to submit an application for your state's volunteer State Director position, don't delay much longer.

If you would like to be directly involved in promoting paddlesports and the ACA in your state, don't miss your opportunity to apply as a State Director.  

Complete your State Director application online before the April 15th deadline.

Outfitter, Livery, or Guide? Read this

Like our other membership categories, the ACA Outfitter, Livery, and Guide membership comes with its own set of benefits. Some of these include:

• INSURANCE - You'll get access to a broad selection of exclusive insurance products, all at a special rate.
• PROMOTION - All outfitter, livery and guide members receive recognition across the ACA's different social media networks, Water Blog, and Journal of Paddlesport Education monthly enewsletter.
• RAPID MEDIA SUBSCRIPTION - You'll get a free 1-year subscription to each of the 4 Rapid Media magazine titles. 

Visit our website to read about all the benefits to this newest type of membership, and please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. 

New Spring Stuff in the ACA eStore!

We've got brand new hats and retro t-shirts in the ACA eStore. If you're in the mood to sport some ACA apparel, grab these items before they're gone!

ACA Microfiber Hat

The new ACA cap is lightweight and moisture-wicking.

Retro ACA T-Shirts

More retro t-shirt styles available in the estore.

Don't forget to log in to receive your member discount.

Congratulations to April Kokatat Instructor of the Month, Grier Fricks!

Grier began her paddling career as a raft guide at the Natahala Outdoor Center (NOC), guiding commercial raft trips on the French Broad River. Since that time, she has relocated to Kane'ohe Bay, Hawaii, where she works at Holokai Kayak & Snorkel.

Learn more about Grier's story...

The ACA would like to thank Kokatat for sponsoring the Instructor of the Month program. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Submit a nomination here! 

Become an ACA State Director

ACA members who are truly passionate about our mission for paddlesports now have an opportunity to apply for a State Director volunteer position. This is your chance to make a positive difference for paddlers in your state!

Applications will be accepted through April 15th.

Details can be found here: State Director Program

We look forward to reviewing your application!

The Best Use of 1980's Nostalgia Ever

With their new advertising campaign, Maritime New Zealand channels the decade of mullets and acid wash jeans to make an important statement about lifejackets. 

The ad features two American police officers, Brandon Reynolds and Joe Lyons, in the midst of a bust on the docks. Comparing lifejackets to bullet-proof vests, we think the ad succeeds in all its Starsky and Hutch-like glory. What do you think?

Source: Maritime New Zealand.

River City Challenge & Eco Fest!

Come out and enjoy Jacksonville's annual environmental music festival and paddlesports race on May 17, 2014! We're excited to be sponsoring this awesome event. 

Enjoy a day of FREE family-friendly entertainment, including:

• National recording artists
• Interactive KidZone
• Vendor market
• Newly added Eco-Village
• Awesome local food from a variety of Jacksonville food trucks 
• Tasty libations from Sweetwater Brewing Co.

Learn more about River City Challenge & Eco Fest here. We hope to see you in Jacksonville! 

ACA Pro School Spotlight

We're pleased to announce the newest ACA Pro School, CanoeSport Outfitters from Des Moines, Iowa!

Since 1992, CanoeSport Outfitters has been serving paddlers in the Midwest by organizing informative events, providing quality gear, and offering superior instruction. Whether you're picking up a paddle for the first time or have years of experience, the knowledgeable instructors at CanoeSport Outfitters will help you improve your canoeing, kayaking, and SUP skills. 

Along with a wide range of courses, the new Pro School also offers many educational outings to local destinations and provides learning opportunities in the Apostle Islands, Everglades National Park, and coastal regions of Louisiana and Georgia. 

In their retail store, you'll find knowledgeable staff eager to help you select the best canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for the type of paddling you want to do. CanoeSport Outfitters also offers a wide selection of accessories to help you paddle safer and transport your gear more easily. Rentals and test paddling opportunities are also available at their concession location at nearby Lake Ahquabi State Park.

Please feel free to visit their website or contact jeff@canoesportoutfitters.com for more info.  

ACA Pro Schools are some of the best organizations across the country to find top quality ACA certified instruction. Current ACA members also receive discounts on certain Pro School instructional programs. 

To see a full list of ACA Pro Schools, click here. 

Become a State Director and Strengthen Your Paddling Community

State Directors will have the opportunity to foster relevant ACA programs depending on the unique needs of each state. 

Paddlers will be able to convey their ideas, along with state and local issues, to their State Director, and the ACA can then provide support and assistance. In addition, through this enhanced volunteer network, more paddlers will learn about the ACA and all the work ACA members do for paddlesports throughout the country.

If you or anyone you know would be a good fit for a State Director role, please complete the State Director Application by April 15th.

Will Winter Ever End?

We're dreaming of warmer temps, sunny days, and the 34th annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race (GRWCR)! 

This classic Fredericksburg event takes place every year on the first Saturday in June. Races are open to participants of all ages and include both whitewater and flatwater canoeing, kayaking, SUP, and canoe poling competitions.

When: Saturday, June 7th, 2014
Where: Fredericksburg, VA (Old Mill Park)

Online registration will be available in early May, or you may register on-site starting at 7:45 on race day at Old Mill Park.

The GRWCR is part of the ACA's annual Paddle Green Festival--Celebrate the Rapp! This all-day, stewardship-focused festival features environmental education programs, on-water paddling instruction, river clean-ups, and an outdoor showing of the year's best paddling films from around the world (courtesy of the Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour).

Registration Now Open for ACA Collegiate Race Series National Championships

Attention all collegiate racers and coaches! Registration for this year's ACA Collegiate Race Series National Championships is now open. 

What's new for 2014?

• SUP race (flatwater) for team points! 
• using the BIC SUP One Design Challenge
• Two kayak classes: 
• K-1 Long Boat (9'-13'2")
• K-1 Short Boat (9' and under)
• Overall Team Winners have been divided into two categories:
• Men's Championship
• Women's Championship

Whether you have an experienced paddling program, or one that's just starting up, we hope you'll join us for this fun, team-building competition. Register online today.

Date: March 29-30, 2014
Location: Dillsboro, NC
Venues: Tuckaseegee River & Cedar Cliff Lake 

Please visit the Collegiate Race Series National Championships website for more info. See you in NC next weekend!

Put a Sail on It!

The March issue of Canoe Sailor is hot off the press! Read it online here.  

Did you know that canoes have been used for sailing since before 1870? Check out the ACA's Canoe Sailing Committee for more info on how you can give this great sport a try!

State Directors Can Make a Difference!

Do you feel as though the ACA is out of touch with the issues facing paddlers in your state?  If so, now is your chance to do something about it!

We are currently seeking members who are interested in volunteering as State Directors to bridge the gap between paddlers on the ground and the ACA.  

Learn more about our State Director Program and then complete an application to help the ACA be more effective in your state!  State Director applications will be accepted through April 15, 2014.

New Kayak Fishing Excursion for 2014

Have you participated in one of the ACA's Members Only Backcountry Paddling Excursions yet? If so, then we don't need to tell you how much fun they are. For those who haven't taken advantage of this membership benefit yet, we hope you'll consider joining us for our NEW Kayak Fishing Excursion scheduled for this summer. 

This trip will take you to Sugar Island, Ontario and the famous West Brand of the Ausable River in upstate New York. During the 8-day excursion, you'll enjoy fly fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and even canoe sailing (if you're so inclined).

Please visit our website for a sample itinerary and to request additional information about the 2014 Members Only Kayak Fishing Excursion. 

New ACA Instructor Patches

Becoming an ACA Instructor, Instructor Trainer, or Instructor Trainer Educator is hard work. Wear your certification with pride with one of our all new custom, 3-color ACA patches! 

Order yours from the ACA eStore today.

State Director Application Announcement

Are you interested in helping the ACA focus its efforts in your state? This is your chance.

We are currently seeking volunteers for our new State Director Program. Online applications will be accepted starting tomorrow, March 14, through April 15, 2014. 

Please review the details of the State Director Program and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. We're always happy to hear from you!

Are You Using This Free Service For Paddlers?

Even the most cautious and experienced boaters run into unexpected problems on the water. That's why the US Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boaters, paddlers included, take advantage of the FREE Vessel Safety Check program. 

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary offers non-law enforcement vessel safety checks to paddle crafts. There is no charge to these checks and you will not suffer any consequences if you don't pass. The only purpose is to keep you safe! 

Learn more about this life-saving service here, and request a vessel safety check today through this simple online form.

How does it work? A certified vessel examiner will come to you, and the inspection only takes 30-45 minutes. If you pass the examination, you'll receive a distinctive VSC decal to show off your safety smarts. 

The ACA would love to see more paddlers taking advantage of this free program. 

ACA Pro School Spotlight

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC) offers a variety of canoeing, SUP, and kayaking skills classes and trips, including educational outings for beginners to expert paddlers. From day trips and weekend skills classes to certification courses, the ACA certified paddling instructors and trainers at CCPRC are always focused on safety and fun. 

Serving over 25,000 individuals of all ages and abilities annually, CCPRC's Outdoor Adventure Program is the first of its kind to be accredited by the Association for Experiential Education. CCPRC also brings you the East Coast Paddlesport & Outdoor Festival every April!

ACA Pro Schools are some of the best organizations across the country to find top quality ACA certified instruction. Current ACA members also receive discounts on certain Pro School instructional programs. 

To see a full list of ACA Pro Schools, click here. 

Congratulations to March Kokatat Instructor of the Month, Raphael Kuner!

Raphael is one of the ACA's most active Instructor Trainers and one of the most influential ACA representatives in Europe. Hailing from Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany, Raff (as his friends call him) began paddling canoes 25 years ago. 

Learn more about Raff's story...

The ACA would like to thank Kokatat for sponsoring the Instructor of the Month program. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Submit a nomination here!