The ACA is the primary organization advocating on behalf of paddlers at the local, state, and federal levels on a range of public policy issues pertinent to paddlers:

• Work towards greater access to rivers, streams, lakes, bays and coastlines
• Represents paddlers in meetings concerning lifejacket wear
• Addresses paddlesports education standards from state to state
• Represents paddlers in meetings concerning boat registration issues

The ACA routinely works with the following organizations in regards to public policy issues related to paddlesports:

• National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)
• National Boating Federation (NBF)
• National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC)
• National Safe Boating Council (NSBC)
• National Water Safety Congress (NWSC)
• Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA)
• Professional Paddlesports Association (PPA)
• United Safe Boating Institute (USBI)
• U.S. Coast Guard (Headquarters and District level)
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAux)
• U.S. Power Squadron (USPS)