Local Community

In addition to promoting paddlesports Education, Stewardship, Recreation and Competition, the ACA is dedicated to improving the communities we live and paddle in.

In an effort to promote community responsibility across the country, the ACA National Office Staff engages in the following for Fredericksburg, Virginia and the surrounding area:

• Trains local canoeists and kayakers in swiftwater rescue techniques on the Rappahannock River
• Provides hands on canoe training for the Friends of the Rappahannock volunteer trip leaders
• Hosted the National Paddlesports Conference in Fredericksburg in 2008 and 2009
• Conducts multiple paddlesports safety programs each year for area Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs
• Volunteers with the annual Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe Race, which donates the proceeds to the Fredericksburg Rotary Club, the Fredericksburg Swiftwater Rescue Team and Friends of the Rappahannock
• Worked with the Fredericksburg Watershed Manager, Lee Sillitoe, on signage at river access points along the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers
• Sponsoring organization of RiverFest, the primary fundraiser each year for the Rappahannock River Watershed
• Provides internship opportunities to University of Mary Washington students each semester
• Provided the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department with paddlesports safety brochures in English and Spanish
• Provides yearlypaddlesports safety presentations for the community
• Worked with local artists to create a symbolic mural ofFredericksburg and the Rappahannock River on the side of the ACA Office facing the new Riverfront Park
• Kicked off the ACA Paddle Green Initiative with an eventin downtown Fredericksburg -Celebrate the Rapp
• Conducts an Office Recycling Program: paper, plastic, cardboard, & aluminum
• Adopts a local family each Christmas

Whether you are an ACA member, Paddle America Club, Pro School, or Instructor, please consider how you can make a positive difference in your immediate community.

Paddling Community 

Part of our duty as paddlers and good stewards of our waters is to recruit others to join the cause and help fight for healthy rivers! How do you help make the world a better place to paddle? Send your pictures and short stories to the ACA Stewardship Coordinator to be part of our community board!