Warm Hospitality Trumps Cedar River Shiver

On October 18-21, three instructor trainers and five students bundled up and braved the cold for an ACA Level 2 Essentials of River Canoeing Instructor Certification Workshop on the Cedar River in Charles City, Iowa. 

Instructor trainers Ivan Bartha, Jordan Messerer, and Barb Cutter were grateful for the warm hospitality of the Iowa Water Trails Association (IWTA) and the City of Charles City. The three expressed their thanks in the IWTA's November Newsletter. The ACA is proud to have such passionate instructors trainers out there. Keep it up, guys!

ACA Trainers and Instructor Candidates get ready to head out on the Cedar River in October.

Ivan Bartha encourages others like himself to "build relationships with local municipalities...making sure that local water trails folks know about the ACA and what the value is for hosting a course." 

Do you know an instructor trainer or instructor doing great work in his or her local community? Or maybe that person is you? Let us know so we can tell everyone about it!

New Stew News!

Want to find out what's happening in your neck of the woods? Check out the Fall 2013 Stewardship Newsletter presented by your ACA Stewardship Department.

The newsletter will give you the latest information regarding the ACA Stream to Sea Initiative, Paddle Green Bags, and other stewardship initiatives, plus news and other information about the waterways you care about.

In this issue:

• Stream to Sea
• Rapidan Stream Sweepers
• Elmer Eddy
• Former Director of the Oklahoma City Zoo
• When Albatross or Other Sea Birds Ingest Debris
• Outdoor Alliance for Kids
• One Water Story
• Conservation Newsroom
• Illinois Water Trail Keeper

Click here to view the newsletter online: 
PDF or ISSUU 

AORE Conference Starts Today!

We hope you'll join the ACA at the AORE Conference in College Park, Maryland, today through Saturday!

ACA Competition Coordinator Adam Tremper will be presenting today on the Collegiate Race Series, and how organized competition can help develop paddling clubs ranging from student organizations to established athletic programs. Catch his presentation at 1:30pm on the exhibitor hall stage.

Adam Tremper, all smiles.

The conference's "building bridges" theme is focused on strengthening partnerships and relationships through educational sessions, symposiums, the exhibitor hall, and networking. 

Curious about other upcoming conferences hosted by the ACA and/or our partners? Visit americancanoe.org and hover over "conferences" in the blue navigation bar on the left.

The Best Way to Enjoy Fall

The autumn leaves are changing colors here in Virginia, making it a great time to get out on the water for a brisk day of paddling. 

Rapidan River framed by changing fall leaves (photo courtesy of Rapidan River Kayak Company)

Located on the Rapidan River in Orange County, VA, Rapidan River Kayak Company offers guided kayak tours and instruction (certified by the ACA.) All you have to do is show up, and they will provide all the needed equipment and safety gear. 

Kayakers on Rapidan River (photo courtesy of Rapidan River Kayak Company)

Sign up for a course or a kayak tour with Rapidan River Kayak Company today. No prior experience is necessary. 

Help Grow The ACA Water Trail Database

The ACA Water Trails Database has over 550 water trails and is the most complete directory available.  

You can use this resource to obtain more information about the trails in your state, or in the state where you are planning your next paddling trip. 

The ACA also encourages groups to use this tool to establish their own water trails.

Do you have a water trail in your community along a lake, stream, river, or coastline? Fill out this form to have it posted to the ACA's Water Trail Database!

Now There's a Way to Support the ACA While You Shop!

We know it's only November, and we're just emerging from our fun-sized Halloween candy comas. But, there's no denying that the holiday shopping season has already begun!

If you like to shop online (and avoid mall madness), Amazon.com has just launched a new site that lets you use your online purchases for good. 

Shop through AmazonSmile and the online retailer will donate 0.5% of the price of your purchase to the charitable organization of your choice. While there are millions of organizations to choose from on the site, we hope you'll choose the ACA. Your donation will go toward making the world a better place to paddle!

Here's how it works: Simply visit the AmazonSmile website, sign into your Amazon account (or create a new one), and search for American Canoe Association in the search bar. Then buy some great gifts, support the ACA, and get warm fuzzy feelings.

Of course, you can also make a secure donation at any time on our website. Thank you for your support!

November Kokatat Instructor of the Month

Please join us in congratulating the ACA's November Kokatat Instructor of the Month, Ivan Bartha from Saint Cloud, MN!

Growing up in Michigan, Ivan got an early start out on the water. Some of his first canoe trips were with a summer camp he attended, and those formative years he spent at camp still influence his career today. Read more about Ivan's story...

And remember, you can submit your nomination for an upcoming Kokatat Instructor of the Month here. 

Each Instructor of the Month will be featured in the Journal of Paddlesport Education and will receive a Kokatat PFD in recognition of their efforts supporting the ACA and paddlesports.