Calling All Paddlers!

The ACA needs your help in supporting Utah's House Bill 37! 

House Bill 37 represents a reasonable compromise between public recreational rights and private property protection. It will remove the threat of criminal trespass citations for water recreationists who touch privately owned stream beds without written permission to do so, and it will allow the public to once again use and enjoy the public waters of Utah. 

First, get the facts. Then, contact one (or all) of Utah's legislators to urge them to vote in favor of House Bill 37. Click here to send a pre-drafted letter!

Join the Rally on Tuesday, February 11

• Time: 9:45am
• Location: South Steps of the Utah Capitol Building

The ACA is proud to support the best interests of paddlers and the waterways we cherish across the country. Our ongoing public policy involvement is driven solely by members like you.

Two Thumbs Down: VA 'Freedom to Float Bill' Sinks in the Senate

Virginia Senate Bill 629, also known as the "Freedom to Float Bill," was defeated by the Senate yesterday (10-Y 30-N). 

The ACA believes this bill was a smart approach to allow non-motorized vessels to use non-tidal rivers, streams, and creeks for the purpose of recreation. SB629 would have allowed paddlers to float on drainage areas of at least seven square miles. These paddlers would not have been held liable for civil or criminal trespass for travel upon non-tidal rivers, streams, or creeks within this strict drainage area solely for recreation. 

We have been an outspoken advocate for SB629, and we're sorry to report its defeat. The ACA is proud to support the best interests of paddlers and the waterways they cherish across the country. Our ongoing public policy involvement is driven solely by members like you.

History of SB629.

The ACA's update on the bill.

Contact your Senator.

The Latest on SB 629 Virginia Stream Access Bill

ACA Executive Director Wade Blackwood and Stewardship Coordinator Greg Rolf have spent the past two days at the Virginia State Capital with Senator Stuart to discuss the Virginia Stream Access Bill (SB 629). This afternoon, the House passed the bill and it will now move to the Senate floor. Stay tuned for more updates on this paddler-friendly legislation.

Blackwood testifies before the Agricultural, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee.

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.