ACA Paddlesports Events and Skills Courses

ACA Paddlesports Events and Skills Courses include activities such as stand up paddleboarding (SUP), prone paddling, outrigger canoeing, surfski, kayaking, whitewater kayaking, kayak touring, whitewater packrafting, coastal kayak camping, and coastal kayaking. The program also includes race events such as the Redwood Water Sports February Paddle Race, where leashes and lifejackets are required and the race runs rain or shine unless a large wind event cancels it.

• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Price: Race entry is $25.00 if completed online at least 24 hours before racing, and $40 for onsite registration the day of racing if space is available. Rental of a SUP, kayak, prone craft, or surfski with paddle and life jacket for the race costs $30.

The American Canoe Association was founded in 1880. Its stated mission is to build inclusive paddling communities, support excellence, and foster safety and stewardship through paddlesports education, competition, and recreation. The American Canoe Association is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and, since 2017, has served as the National Governing Body for paddlesports (Sprint, Slalom, and Paracanoe) for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and as the U.S. National Federation to the International Canoe Federation. ACA Paddlesports serves as the National Governing Body for Olympic and Paralympic paddlesports in the USA.

The American Canoe Association reports over 15,000 members and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organizations, with members in all 50 states and over 35 countries worldwide. Its education program has an estimated reach of over 800,000 people per year, and it provides insurance to hundreds of events and races every year. The organization supports paddlers through competition information and events, classes and instructor certifications, stewardship opportunities, advocacy for clean water and access to public lands, and insurance for clubs, event organizers, and others.

For the Redwood Water Sports February Paddle Race, age categories are listed as 1–17 Juniors, 18–50 Open, 51–60 Masters, 61–70 Grand Masters, and 71 and over Legends. There are no age divisions for double surfski and 2-person outrigger canoe in this race, and it takes three racers in a division to make an awardable division. Participants in this race can rent a SUP, kayak, prone craft, or surfski with paddle and life jacket for $30.

Leadership for ACA Paddlesports includes President Suzanne Britt, Vice President Aaron Small, Treasurer Robert Kauffman, and Secretary Bev Cosslett. Athlete Representatives are Jonas Ecker and Aaron Small. At-Large Directors are Beverly Cosslett, Suzanne Britt, Simon Norton, and Stephanie Stannard, and Independent Directors include Robert Kauffman. Council roles include Competition Council representative Risa Shimoda, Regional Activity Council representative Bill Caruso, Safety Education & Instruction Council representative Ryan Rushton, Elite Athlete Director for Slalom Zach Lokken, Team USA Athlete’s Commission representative Jonas Ecker, and At-Large Athlete Representative Aaron Small. Ex-officio (non-voting) leadership includes ACA Executive Director Beth Spilman.

Staff positions include Beth Spilman as Executive Director, Krista Lenzmeier as Chief Operating Officer, Emma Walther as Finance Director, Michelle Flynn as Membership Coordinator, Kelsey Bracewell as Director of Education, Insurance and Membership, Kaycee Maas as Communications Manager, MacKenzie Holbrook as Community Engagement Manager, Kristal Pastell as Insurance Coordinator, Ben Morton as Education and Outreach Manager, Brett Mayer as Director of Stewardship and Public Policy, and Michele Eray as Sprint High Performance Director.

Last updated February 18, 2026.