Winter eNewsletter

In case you missed the recent ACA Winter eNewsletter, here are the highlights:

What an exciting year, from sanctioning over 200 paddlesports races, to rolling out the premier SUP Educational Curriculum in the nation, to enhancing the user-experience on the ACA website! The staff and dedicated volunteers of the ACA continue to work everyday on behalf of all paddlers. In addition, we revised the iconic ACA logo to better reflect the paddle craft that you use. As a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization, the ACA relies on membership dues, grant funding, and partnerships in order to continue to provide the benefits and services that the paddlesports community relies on. We appreciate your support throughout 2011 and look forward to working with, and for you in 2012.

Happy paddling,

Wade Blackwood

Executive Director
ACA Canoe • Kayak • SUP • Raft • Rescue

Stewardship - CFS Grant Program
Thanks to the continued support from L.L.Bean, the ACA was able to give over $9,000 to 11 different organizations this year to promote clean water and access to that clean water. Ranging from supplies for an adaptive accessible dock on Lake Monocan in Virginia with Wintergreen Adaptive Sports to supporting the Minnesota SUP Association waterways clean up program, the ACA is proud to partner with clubs and grassroots organizations across the country. Learn more...


Donate - End of Year Giving
Enhance the ACA's ability to support the future of paddlesports, consider contributing to one or more of the following programs:
• Commodroe's Campaign
• Education
• Stewardship
• Competition
• Adaptive Paddling
Learn more about these donation opportunities.


Competition - National Championships
What do slalom, canoe poling, downriver, sailing and freestyle have in common?...ACA National Championship Events! The 2012 dates are already on the calendar. Plus, the ACA is expanding the Collegiate Canoe Kayak & SUP Race Series. Learn more...


Sale & Free Items!! - eStore
That's right, a select number of ACA Resources are now free online!
In addition, certain items are on sale for as little as $2.50, yes $2.50! Instructors, buy books in bulk for your 2012 courses. However, this offer is for a limited time, the sale ends before the holidays are over...Sale Items...Free Items!...Shop Now


Trips - 2012 Backcountry Paddling Excursions
Support the ACA and paddle on one of nine amazing trips in 2012:
• Grand Ronde River, OR - canoe
• San Juan Islands, Pacific Northwest - kayak
• Cumberland Island, GA - kayak
• Charleston, SC - SUP, canoe & kayak
• China - kayak
• Bahamas - kayak
• Mexico - whitewater canoe, kayak or raft
• Costa Rica - whitewater canoe, kayak or raft
• Nicaragua - inflatable canoe
Registration is limited. Learn more...


Subaru VIP Program - Member Discount
As an ACA member, you can save up to $3,300 on the purchase or lease of a new Subaru vehicle. It's a simple, online form and you're done, no haggling!
Now that's a good deal. Learn more...


Board of Directors - Election
The ACA is holding an election for six at-large members of the ACA National Board of Directors. All positions are elected by the ACA membership for a two-year term beginning in 2012. The election of the nominees will be determined by the majority of votes cast by mail-in ballots returned to the ACA by January 12, 2012. Learn more...


Save the Date - National Paddlesports Conference
& ACA Annual Membership Meeting
November 2 - 4, 2012
Charleston, SC
Learn more...


Making the World a Better Place to Paddle! Since 1880.
www.americancanoe.org

Paddlesports Public Policy

What do SUP leashes, lifejacket wear for adults, inflatable pfd's for youth, and EPIRBs have in common?

They're all issues the ACA is representing paddlers on at local, state and federal levels across the country.

We need your input!

Please take a few moments to fill out our brief Paddlesports Public Policy Survey.

Your feedback will enable us accurately represent the diverse views of paddlers.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful input.

ACA Instructor First Aid & CPR Requirement Updated

At the recent National Paddlesports Conference, the SEIC voted to amed the First Aid and CPR requirement for instructors and instructor trainers.

Now, there is a 'hands on' component to the requirement.

To read more about this change you can see the full SEIC Policy Manual or visit the First Aid & CPR webpage.

C'mon you can do it! Do One Thing for Paddling.

Photo Credit: Elise Knox, The Colony Aquatic Park, TX

The ACA strives to make the world a better place to paddle, and has been doing so since 1880. But none of it would be possible without YOU! And we want to give you credit for it! Let us know what you are doing to make your waters better. Whether it's a cleanup with a couple friends, improving access to local put-ins, or removing invasive species along a scenic paddling trail, every little bit makes a difference!

Share your commitment to paddlesports, see what other paddlers are up to, and tell us how you plan to make the world a better place to paddle here!

Check out how the ACA staff gives back to the community!

Members Only Kayaking & Cultural Exchange Excursion to China!

Southeast Expeditions and China Coastlines C & K Club wish to help you explore a paddling trip and cultural exchange like no other. Join them to paddle in both modern and ancient China with Dave Burden and the first ACA Paddle Club in China.

• Dates: April 29 - May 6, 2012



• Cost: $3,000



• Contact: dave@daveburden.com

www.americancanoe.org/Excursions

Learn more...

Instructor Audit is Underway

ACA Instructor Audit Information

Calling all Instructor Trainer Educators, Instructor Trainers, and Instructors! If your current certification is set to expire this year- you might want to ensure that you have met the re-certification requirements!

Please review the ACA Policy Manual to find out the exact details pertaining to the maintenance of your specific certification.

If you do not foresee that you will be able to complete the recertification requirements by your expiration date, please consider completing an extension form- the SEI Department will grant extensions on a case by case basis. Extensions allow an additional year to complete the recertification requirements. If you do not meet the recertification requirements, you will be sent a notification of your pending certification status and certification expiration date of 12/31/2011.
If you have taught courses and/or participated in an update: make sure it has been properly reported! Need to report a course or update you can do this from the instructor forms page.

Also, if you have changed your email address, mailing address, or phone number, please let us know so that your certification cards and information get to you!

SEI Department

ACA Office

The ACA Office is upgrading our servers and networks.

Throughout today and tomorrow (December 1 & 2) we will periodically not have access to email and phone service may be intermittent.

If your email bounces back, or is not returned promptly, please try the appropriate staff member at their phone extension.

We apologize for any temporary inconvenience, but the end result will be a more efficient internal system to allow faster and more effective customer service for ACA members and the general paddling public.