ACA Paddlesports National Championships Host Destination RFP 2027–2028

Targeted locations: Destinations across the U.S. with quality flatwater or whitewater venues. Lakes, reservoirs, rivers, coastal areas and man-made whitewater courses are all a fit.

For questions or interest in hosting, contact Jedediah Hinkley, Competition Director, American Canoe Association, at jhinkley@americancanoe.org.

Founded in 1880, the American Canoe Association (ACA Paddlesports) is the nation’s oldest paddlesport organization and the National Governing Body for Olympic and Paralympic paddlesports in the U.S. ACA sanctions competition across a wide range of disciplines, including Sprint, Paracanoe, Slalom & Kayak Cross, Marathon, Stand Up Paddling (SUP), Ocean Racing (Surfski), Dragon Boat, Kayak Polo, Freestyle and Wildwater.

ACA national championships bring together athletes from youth age-group racers to masters paddlers and national team members, along with coaches, officials and families. Hosting a championship connects your destination with the national paddling community and the USA Canoe/Kayak Team pathway to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Recent event:

2026 Slalom and Kayak Cross Age Group Nationals at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC, hosted by Nantahala Racing Club