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!

Mark Your Calendars!

Don't miss the 2014 Canoe Poling National Championships May 23-24 in New Portland, Maine. This is a great event for canoe polers of all abilities.

Get more info about the championships here. We hope to see you in May!

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. 

The BIC SUP One Design World Championships in Puerto Rico Have Begun!

SUP boards ready to go at the BIC SUP One Design World Champs. 

The rain has finally cleared in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the first round of race results are in! The BIC SUP One Design World Championships are off to a great start. 

The ACA is proud to be one of the sponsors of this exciting event.

The ACA tent today in spectacular San Juan, Puerto Rico.

If you're serious about SUP, check out the ACA's SUP Instructor Certification Program by visiting our website or contacting our Safety, Education, Instruction, and Outreach Department. 

Did you know: The ACA will be incorporating the BIC SUP One Design Challenge into our Collegiate Race Series. Stay tuned for updates!

BIC SUP One Design World Championships competitors race to the finish.

Preliminary race results:

Ready, Set, SUP!

The first-ever BIC SUP One Design Challenge World Championships will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico December 5-6th!

Anyone who participated in one of the 300 One Design events worldwide this year is eligible to participate in the World Championships. The ACA is proud to be one of the sponsors of this awesome race series consisting of men's, women's, and youth divisions. We hope to see you there!

Learn more and register for the BIC SUP One Design World Champs today. 

If you're serious about SUP, be sure to learn more about the ACA's SUP Instructor Certification Program by visiting our website or contacting our Safety, Education, Instruction, and Outreach Department.

The ACA will also be incorporating the BIC SUP One Design Challenge into its Collegiate Race Series going forward. Spread the word!