1. The ACA & You! Date: Location/Event: Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Competition

2. Who is the ACA? The ACA & YOU! • Founded in 1880, the American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization serving the broader paddling public by providing EDUCATION related to all aspects of paddling; STEWARDSHIPsupport to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport COMPETITION and RECREATION.

3. 1880: Established on August 3rd 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 2010: Rapid Media becomes official magazine partner ACA History The ACA & You!

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

5. Education The ACA & YOU! • 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

6. ACA Instructor Certification Program The ACA & YOU! • Established 1972 4,500 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

7. Stewardship The ACA & YOU! • Water Trails Database • L.L.Bean Stewardship Grants • Local, Regional & National Initiatives • Founding Member - Outdoor Alliance • Enhance water quality • Support local waterway access projects

8. Recreation The ACA & YOU! • Supported 1,400 events in 2011 • Promote paddlesports events across the nation • Sanctioned over 200 races • Provide insurance for club events and festivals • Support the development of new initiatives for paddlesports recreation opportunities

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

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

11. Today’s Objectives The ACA & YOU! Insert customized slides here

12. National Paddlesports Conference Charleston, SC November 2 - 4, 2012 • SUP, Kayak, & Canoe Courses • Race • Instructor Certification Workshops • Educational Sessions • Family Paddling Trips • Keynote Speaker • Reel Paddling Film Festival • Silent Auction • ACA Annual Membership Meeting • Fun!

13. Connect The ACA & YOU!

14. Contact Information The ACA & YOU! ACA Canoe • Kayak • SUP • Raft • Rescue 108 Hanover St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 540-907-4460 888-229-3792 [fax] aca@americancanoe.org www.americancanoe.org