Happy Halloween, Paddlers!

Dress up. Eat candy. Paddle on. 

Captain America knows whatSUP. 

Send your paddling-in-costume photos to clloyd@americancanoe.org or share them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and tag us!

The North Face Declares "This Land is Your Land!"

The North Face's new campaign addresses the importance of preserving federal public lands from state takeover efforts--an issue all of us at the ACA have been thrilled to see get more coverage in the media lately (from New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich and others). 

Public lands belong to all of us, regardless of where we live or who we are. As founding members of the Outdoor Alliance, the ACA is proud to show its support of The North Face's campaign in an open letter of appreciation. We encourage you to read that letter here.

State Executive Council Elections - 2 Days Left to Vote

The ACA is currently holding elections for the State Executive Councils. Cast your vote today!

All State Executive Council positions are elected by the state ACA membership for a two-year term. The election of the nominees will be determined by the majority of votes cast by electronic ballot by members eligible to vote. In order to vote, you must be a current member of the ACA and over eighteen (18) years of age.

Act now and make your voice heard--voting closes on October 31, 2014.

Expert Advice: Going Big on Lake Superior

Veteran ACA Instructor-Trainer Gail Green offers her advice for paddling to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. Click through to read the full article on Canoe & Kayak. 

Are you an ACA Instructor with advice to share? We want to hear it. Contact our Communications Department to get published on ACA social media.

Paddle Green Bags in Action

Thanks to Tamara Stanley for submitting this awesome stewardship photo! She hauled this trash out of the river near her house using her Paddle Green Bag during daily kayak trips. 

"I just started kayaking (and pulling out trash) this summer," said Tamara. "The only instruction I received was at a [Paddlefest] event. I am amazed how much I learned in about 15 minutes. Not only can I reach things I never thought possible, I find it rather easy. Wonderful organization and people!"

The ACA is involved in numerous stewardship activities on both a local and national scale. 

Need help with a project to protect waterways in your community? Don't hesitate to contact us! We're here to help. 

Have a photo of your Paddle Green bag haul? Submit it to clloyd@americancanoe.org, or use #PaddleGreen when you share stewardship photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Saving the Boundary Waters By Canoe

Amy and Dave Freeman. (Photo credit: Nate Ptacek, instagram @arborealis.)

National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year, Dave and Amy Freeman are paddling from Ely, Minnesota to Washington, DC to raise awareness of threats to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and shared waters of the Canadian border. The 100-day Paddle to DC odyssey began Sunday, August 24 near Ely, Minnesota and ends in Washington, D.C. on December 3 when a canoe covered with signatures to Save the Boundary Waters arrives in the nation’s capital. 

The Freemans are asking people along the Paddle to DC route to sign their canoe to show their support for defending the Boundary Waters from all threats, including sulfide mining. 

Amy and Dave Freeman. (Photo credit: Nate Ptacek, instagram @arborealis.) 

“Our mission is to help make sure that the Boundary Waters continue to enjoy the federal protection that has kept them wild and unspoiled for 50 years,” said Dave Freeman. 

Here's how you can help:

• Sign the Paddle to DC petition at www.savetheboundarywaters.org to declare the Boundary Waters Wilderness watershed permanently off-limits to sulfide-ore mining;
• Find the Freemans on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/savetheboundarywaters;
• Follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/savethebwca and Twitter at www.twitter.com/savethebwca.

(Photo credit: Nate Ptacek, instagram @arborealis.) 

Amy and Dave will be paddling through the East Coast over the next month. During their journey, they are giving presentations and asking folks to paddle with them as they pass through. So far, the couple has done 23 events attended by over 1200 people, and they have paddled with over 100 people in three different cities. As they plan for events out East, Dave and Amy would love to connect more with ACA members and clubs. Check out their video below to learn more, and discover even more ways to get involved. 

ACA Member Discount on Beautiful Handcrafted Wooden Paddles From Fritz Orr Canoe

Fritz Orr Selway Canoe Paddle, designed for Class III rivers to steep creeks.

We're thrilled to announce that for a limited time, ACA members will receive a 20% discount off any paddle listed at www.fritzorrcanoe.com.

Celebrated on the pages of Garden & Gun, Town & Country, Fox & Friends, and Vogue.com, Fritz Orr Canoe brings a heritage of canoeing to life through hand crafted canoe paddles. Each one is a work of art, demonstrating Fritz's commitment to superior design, craftsmanship, and stewardship. When you're not using it, we recommend hanging your Fritz Orr paddle in your house for all to see--they are that pretty. 

Fritz is also providing FREE SHIPPING on orders made before December 1, 2014. Don't miss out!

Fritz Orr Magma Stand-Up Paddle.