Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Competition ACA History & Organizational Facts June 16, 2012.

Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Competition

ACA History & Organizational Facts

June 16, 2012

• Founded August 3rd, 1880 by 23 notable canoeists on Lake George, New York• William Alden - first Commodore ( New York Canoe Club & New York Times Editor)• Nathaniel Bishop - first Secretary (corresponded with canoeist in Forest & Stream Magazine) he was a Rushton Canoe enthusiast and he suggested a common organization of American canoe clubs• Rushton ( renowned canoe designer) was among the founding members

HistoryACA History & Organizational Facts

• Explorer, canoeist, writer, horticulturist, philanthropist• ACA visionary Secretary: 1880-1886• Author:

–1869: The Pampas and Andes: A Thousand Miles Across South America $45-50 (http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/nhb/pampas.htm) –1878: The Voyage of the Paper Canoe - 2,500 miles from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico (http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/nhb/paperc/intro.html) –1879: Four Months in a Sneak Box -2,600 miles down the Ohio, Mississippi and around the Gulf of Mexico (http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/nhb/SB.HTM)

• Horticulturist - owned and operated sixty properties producing cranberries• Philanthropist: 1902 funded a public library - Dover N.J.

Nathaniel Holmes BishopACA History & Organizational Facts

Sneak BoxACA History & Organizational Facts

Hatteras CrossingACA History & Organizational Facts

ACA OriginsACA History & Organizational Facts

• The original objectives were little different from those of today's organization, namely to 'unite all persons interested in the use of canoes and kayaks for the purpose of pleasure, health, or exploration, by means of meetings for business; by camping, paddling, sailing and racing; by keeping details, drawings and dimensions of hulls and rigs, collection of maps, charts, books and photographs; and by cooperating with other organizations sponsoring canoeing programs and water sports.’

• ACA was instrumental in the formation of the IRK in 1924 in Copenhagen which became the ICF


• In 1903 the Association purchased Sugar Island (officially St. Lawrence Island), a 38-acre island in the Thousand Islands three miles offshore from Gananoque, Ontario, Canada, and with only one exception the Annual Meets have been held there continuously ever since.• Open to all members, Sugar Island is a very unique primitive, undeveloped island• ACA incorporated in 1927 in New York


ACA Membership FormACA History & Organizational Facts

• Among nation’s oldest sporting organizations

• Nation’s oldest recreation based waterway conservation organization

• Nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit paddlesport organization

• ACA Instruction Program began in 1972

• ACA granted 501 c 3 nonprofit status in 1977

• Governed by 21 member National Board of Directors

• 12 regional divisions of the ACA

• HQ in Fredericksburg VA

ACA FactsACA History & Organizational Facts

• ACA plans to build a “National Paddlesports Center” on Rappahannock River in near future• ACA full time staff of 10-12• National Governing Body of paddlesport - sanctions 1,200+ events per year• Safety Education & Instruction - the “gold standard” the only national certifying body recognized by the USCG• SEI - works with USCG, NASBLA, American Red Cross, Safe Boating Council, BSA


• Rapid Media - affiliated with ACA, member choice of four publications - Canoe Roots & Family Camping, Kayak Angler, Rapid - The Whitewater Magazine, Adventure Kayak• Major advocate of paddlers rights - works with NASBLA & USCG on governmental issues affecting human powered craft• Leader in paddlesport standards & best practices• Water trails - leader in database guides


• Corporate sponsors - Subaru, L.L.Bean, Tilley Endurables etc.• 4,000 certified instructors - 850,000 & instructional contacts per year• SEI - professional arm• SEIC - volunteer arm


• Certifying disciplines include: Flatwater canoeing, Canoe sailing, Touring canoeing, Freestyle canoeing, River canoeing, Whitewater canoeing, Standup Paddle Board - newest!

• Flatwater kayak, Coastal kayak, River kayak, Whitewater kayak, Surf kayak

• Rafting - Moving water, Whitewater

• Adaptive - instruction for the physically challenged

• Safety & Rescue - Flatwater, Moving water, Whitewater

• Standup Paddle Board (SUP)

ACA Certifying DisciplinesACA History & Organizational Facts

• ACA - major recipient of USCG safety education grants 60k to 600k from 2000-2009•Since 1995 - Clean Water Act enforcement, prevailed in 24+ cases to date, litigated by David Bookbinder (worked under Jeff Yeager former ED “ The Ultimate Cheapskate”) - Bookbinder is now a Senior Attorney with the Sierra Club • National Governing Body for the USOC• USCK - partnering agreements


• Education & Instruction• Recreation & Competition• Stewardship & Conservation

ACA Strategic Plan TenetsACA History & Organizational Facts

ACA

Canoe • Kayak • SUP • Raft • Rescue 108 Hanover St.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

540-907-4460

888-229-3792 [fax]

[email protected]

www.americancanoe.org

Contact InformationThe ACA & YOU!

Education. Recreation. Stewardship. Competition ACA History & Organizational Facts June 16, 2012.

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