1. Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Competition The ACA & You! Presented by: Event: Date:

2. Founded in 1880, the American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national, nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing EDUCATION related to all aspects of paddling; STEWARDSHIP support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport COMPETITION and RECREATION. Who is the ACA? The ACA & YOU!

3. 1880: Established on August 3 rd by twenty-three notable canoeists on Lake George, NY 1903: Purchased Sugar Island in Canada 1927: Incorporated in NY 1944: Women given the right to vote in ACA 1978: ACA Slalom & Wildwater Teams win World Championships! 1980: Susan Chamberlin is the first woman to be elected Commodore 1990’s Clean Water Act enforcement (24 cases) 2004: Strategic Tenets of the ACA defined 2008: Founded the National Paddlesports Conference ACA History The ACA & You!

4. Education Stewardship Competition Recreation Strategic Tenets The ACA & YOU!

5. Safety Education & Instruction Council Learn to Paddle Initiative Youth Development Program Extensive Paddlesports Safety Education Information National Leader in Paddlesports Education & Instruction Courses: Skills, Assessments, Certifications Education The ACA & YOU!

6. Established 1972 4500 certified Instructors – 250 certified Instructor Trainers Canoe (Touring & River) Kayak (River, Coastal, Surf) Raft Safety & Rescue Adaptive Paddling Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Estimated 809,000 students taught annually ACA Instructor Certification Program The ACA & YOU!

7. Water Trails Database Stewardship Grants Local, Regional & National Initiatives Outdoor Alliance We work with: - U.S. Forest Service - Department of the Interior - White House Office of Management and Budget - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - House Natural Resources Committee Clean Water Network Land and Water Conservation Fund Task Force Trust for Public Land Stewardship The ACA & YOU!

8. Sanctioned 1400 events in 2010 Promote paddlesports events across the nation Provide insurance for club events and festivals Support the development of new initiatives for paddlesports recreation opportunities Recreation The ACA & YOU!

9. Freestyle Canoeing Canoe Sailing Canoe Poling Open Canoe Slalom Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Collegiate Canoe & Kayak Championship Race Series Competition The ACA & YOU!

10. Paddlesport participation is at it’s highest levels in the history of the sport. The paddlesport community needs to expand it’s entry level education opportunities for paddlers. Paddlesports Participation The ACA & YOU!

11. More people are trying paddling and they are entering from numerous non-boating related activities: Hiking Bicycling Camping Fishing Paddlesports Participation The ACA & YOU!

12. It’s CRUCIAL that these new boaters receive: - Opportunity - Guidance - Safety Information - Basic Education Paddlesports Participation The ACA & YOU!

13. Today’s Objectives The ACA & YOU!

14. Family Opportunities High Quality Educational Sessions Instructor Updates Reel Paddling Film Festival SUP Summit Whitewater Courses & Parks Workshop Exciting events for paddlers of all experience levels Flatwater & Whitewater paddling opportunities literally from the hotel parking lot! and much more... ACA National Paddlesports Conference September 30 – October 2, 2011 Louisville, KY

15. American Canoe Association 108 Hanover St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-907-4460 888-229-3792 [fax] aca@americancanoe.org www.americancanoe.org Contact Information The ACA & YOU!