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.

Make Your Voice Heard

Did you know that in the state of Maryland there is no safe way to cross the Susquehanna River on foot or by bike? The closest safe crossing is in Pennsylvania. It's time for a change.

The Maryland Department of Transportation and Amtrak are currently in discussion to replace the 1906 railroad bridge across the mouth of the Susquehanna River. Let's ensure the new bridge will accommodate cyclists and walkers. Design work is just beginning, so now is the time to speak up. 

Please join us and show your support by signing this petition. Walkers, paddlers, cyclists, and all recreational users will benefit from a public pathway over the river. 

Thank you for your support!

To learn more, or to sign the petition in person, please drop by the ACA booth at this weekend's Jersey Paddlefest.

2 New Crosstrek Hybrids Join the ACA Subaru Fleet

We're proud to call Subaru the official vehicle of the ACA, and we're super excited to welcome two new Crosstrek Hybrids to our fleet of Subaru vehicles!

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient and lowest-emissions All-Wheel Drive hybrid crossover vehicle in America. It can also go off-road and clear 8.7 inches of bumps, rocks, and drifted sand and snow. 

In other words, it's easier on the environment AND equipped for adventure! The Crosstrek is also ACA office dog-approved. 

Stella gives the Crosstek her paw-stamp of approval.

Subarus make our various paddlesport initiatives possible. Our Stewardship Coordinator uses the Outback to help haul the marine debris collected during Paddle Green clean-up events to the local recycling center. To increase ACA membership and support paddlesports recreation, the ACA Membership Coordinator drives the Forester to paddlesports events throughout the country. Our Education Coordinator uses her Crosstrek to get to rivers, lakes, and other instruction locations. 

ACA employees depend on their Subarus to get them to work safely in the morning, and home again at night. Subaru helps us make the world a better place to paddle. Every day. 

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! 

Trash Begone!

The clean-up this weekend in Fredericksburg was a huge success thanks to our wonderful volunteers. We'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all who came out and devoted their Saturday morning to the clean-up. You rock. Every single one of you. 

ACA volunteers trump trash. 

New Membership Benefit - 2 Free Nights of Tent Camping on Sugar Island

Welcome Sign at Sugar Island

Sugar Island is located in the heart of the Thousand Islands in Gananoque, Ontario, Canada, which is an international tourism destination near the St. Lawrence Islands National Park. The 35-acre island is privately owned by the ACA and is available to all members for year round use - and now, new ACA members receive 2 FREE nights of camping!

The island is rustic with no modern amenities. It is a pristine, pure environment with crystal clear water, clean air, and beautiful night skies.  Swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, sail, or simply relax. Take advantage of this great ACA member benefit and make your reservation today!

Sunset at Sugar Island

Contest!

This Valentine's Day, break up with your disposable plastic water bottle for good! Think of it as a Valentine's Day gift to yourself. 

We've even pre-drafted the break up letter for you: 


Dear Disposable Plastic Water Bottle, 

Look, we both knew this day was coming. We've been together now for (length of time) and let's face it--you just aren't (adjective) enough for me. 

You're a drain on my wallet, full of BPA and (noun), and I can't even count the number of times I've found you on the beach just acting trashy with your friends. I hate the way you (verb), and all my friends think you are (adjective).

Good things are built to last, and this relationship isn't one of them. You poison me with your use-and-toss mentality. That's why I'm (verb ending in -ing) you for good.

It's over. I'm moving on to a greener future full of (something sustainably awesome).

Don't call me. 

Bye,

(Your signature)


Simply copy and paste this letter into an email, fill in the blanks, and then send it to us at clloyd@americancanoe.org. 

Be creative! We'll choose our favorite submission on Friday afternoon and the winner will receive a Klean Kanteen water bottle and one of the new ACA Paddle Green Bags! 

Need some inspiration? Check out this infographic, and learn more about how we can work together to keep ALL kinds of marine debris (plastic water bottles included) out of our waterways!

Now THAT'S how you paddle green. 

A Paddler's Best Accessory...

Better than a purse. Better than a murse, even. It's the new ACA Paddle Green Bag! 

Made with environmentally-friendly dyes. Abrasion-resistant. Durable. Stronger than ever. Our new Paddle Green Bags are sustainable AND stylish. You'll be the coolest paddler on the water. Get yours today!

Introducing the All-New ACA Paddle Green Bag!

Abrasion-resistant. Durable. Made with environmentally-friendly dyes. The ACA is proud to present its new paddle green bag--now stronger than ever!

Get yours today.

And when your Paddle Green Bag is too worn to collect any more trash, simply send it back to the ACA for our Second Life Recycling Program.

Paddle Green

Check out the ACA's brand new Marine Debris Resource page! 

It's your one-stop-source for websites, videos, articles, laws, and other relevant information pertaining to the marine debris problem.

Become a part of the solution, and paddle sustainably with the ACA!

And the Winner is..

Congratulations to Cowper Chadbourn, winner of our Marine Debris Photo Contest!

Do you want to participate in a clean-up event near you? Visit our website or contact our Stewardship Coordinator for more information!

Support the ACA While You Shop!

Are you getting ready to make some Black Friday and Cyber Monday splurges? 

Shop through Amazon's new site, AmazonSmile, and the online retailer will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the ACA! 

Here's how it works:

1. Visit AmazonSmile.
2. Sign in to your Amazon account like usual (or create an account if you don't have one already.)
3. That's it! Now you're helping make the world a better place to paddle with every purchase.

Need some great gift ideas? Be sure to follow our Paddler's Wishlist board on Pinterest. 

Dash to the Finish!

Don't miss the annual Deception Pass Dash on Sunday, December 8. The event consists of an exciting 6-mile paddle through the swirling current of Deception Pass near Oak Harbor, Washington. All paddlers ages 16+ are encouraged to participate in kayaks, canoes, and SUPs!

Learn more and register online:

http://outdooradventurecenter.com/adventure/deception-pass-dash-2013/

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!