Hello ,

Spring is officially here and we have some exciting announcements and projects on the go!

April is Membership Drive month and we encourage you to renew your membership before May 1st in order to be entered into a draw for prizes. Having membership confirmed early helps clubs plan, and communicate with members, their programming and events opportunities. 

The strength of Alberta's paddling community is in our 22 wonderful clubs! 

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In this Newsletter:

New! Online River Safety Course

Whitewater Leadership Symposium

New! CKC Code of Safety

Casinos

Events

Summer Jobs

We are excited to share the result of 2 years of work from a great team of people. The Online River Safety Course is for everyone. From tubers, to beginner paddlers, to experienced paddlers taking friends out. You'll find tips and tricks for staying safe on the water, maneuvering around, and respecting the river.

Developed by: Onlea (Edmonton), AQ Outdoors (Calgary), and AWA staff & partners

Funded by: Transport Canada, AQ Outdoors, and Paddle Alberta 

Watch the Promo Video

This is our 4th Annual Symposium and we continue to improve the schedule to support leaders and instructors in Alberta and beyond. This year we'll have 4 streams that you can take part in.

- Kayak Leadership - 3 days - rescue skills, personal skills, teaching

- SUP Leadership - 1 day (Saturday) - Flatwater & moving water progressions

- Leader 2 Instructor 2 Course (full*) - NCCP L2I2 Course + opportunity for LFs to develop consistent courses

- Moving Water - CKC Moving Water Course + safety skills & personal skills.

*If you missed the L2I2 registration, there is one two weeks later as well.

AWA has approved adopting CKCs new combined Code of Safety April 1st. This policy gives overall direction for clubs on how to keep participants safe in all settings, as well as areas that are discipline specific, like whitewater, polo, etc. 

AWA received notification today from the Province of Alberta of a large grant to support Sport Participation! 

This, along with casino funding, will allow us to continue the Safe and Welcoming Coordinator role, supporting programming in Mînî Thnî, Cold Lake, and Rocky Mountain House. It will also provide funding for new Learn-To-Train camps, CKC river rescue and NCCP courses.

We are very grateful to Alberta Sport Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) for this support.

Alberta Whitewater Association Casino - Calgary - May 3/4 

Alberta Canoe Polo Association Casino - Edmonton - April 3/4 

Subsidies provided by the ACPA for hotel and mileage, plus member clubs's receive funds based on number of volunteers.

ACPA also has its AGM April 9th.

March 27 - World Paddling Film Festival - Calgary

March 29 - World Paddling Film Festival - Edmonton

April 13 - World Paddling Film Festival - Medicine Hat

April 3/4 - ACPA Casino - Edmonton

April 25-27 - Whitewater Leadership Symposium - Kananaskis

May 3/4 - AWA Casino - Calgary

May 10 - 17th Penguin Race - Calgary

May 16-19 - 25th 3-River Rendezvous - Pincher Creek

Want the best summer job you can get? Consider coaching for one of the clubs, or directly with AWA. There are positions open yearly in:

Pincher Creek, Lethbridge, Calgary, Canmore, Rocky Mountain-House, Sundre/Innisfail, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, and Fort Smith. Some positions come with accommodations and other perks, so consider a new experience. 

AWA applies for more than a dozen Canada Summer Jobs grants for our clubs each year. If you're between 15-30, the clubs get a $15/hr grant. The clubs choose their candidates and do direct supervision, while AWA does the payroll and other admin. Win-Win. 

Wapiti Whitewater Kayakers in Grande Prairie are already seeking a qualified candidate to support their programs in 2025. See the posting below.

Bow Valley Kayak Club is looking for leaders and instructors in Canmore.

AWA needs two people to support the PFD lending station at Harvie Passage. Work on your tan, and lend out free PFDs all summer.

We are pleased to announce that we have signed a new Facility Operating Agreement with Alberta Parks for 5yrs + 5yrs for Canoe Meadows and Widow Maker. This enables us to provide the best experience possible for our clubs and members!

We are stoked to have Brandon and Candice back again as campground hosts. Anyone who has spent time at Canoe Meadows in the last few years knows how much they love their people and facility! 

For better or worse there is a new Cell Tower in the Canoe Meadows parking lot. This will improve safety, provide new opportunities for event hosting, and work-from-the-road possibilities. Kids we just ask that you enjoy the camping and paddling instead of your phones!

This year's Legacy Award Category celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit in Albertans. From builders, to retailers, to paddling schools, all of these businesses have contributed in a significant way to the paddling community in Alberta! 

We continue to have an all-star board providing leadership for the organization. We thank all our past and present board members for their volunteer contributions!

• President - Sara Jordan
• VP - Matt Corbet
• Treasurer - Jocelyn Peters
• Secretary - Chris Johnson
• Director of Facilities and Environment - Andrew Dowman
• Director of Education - Lisa Isley
• Director of Communications - Simon Gibson
• Director of Recreation - Brennan Williams
• Director at Large (Safe Sport Chair) - Heather Scott
• Director of Freestyle - Darrel Wiebe 
• Director of Polo - Brad Stone
• Director of Slalom - Adlai Majer

Thank you to our outgoing board members Jamie Hennesey, David Isaak and Eric Bissel. You contributions have been greatly appreciated!

If you have any articles to publish or topics you'd like to see in the newsletter, please let us know!