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Spring is Calling!

Ground squirrels have already been spotted in southern Alberta, so paddling season is just around the corner!

You can register now with this list of Individual Clubs!

If you don't have a local club, then your other option to stay connected is to renew you AWA membership directly Here

 

In this Newsletter:

Programming - Clubs / Disciplines

Safe Sport Participant Notice

Events

Summer Jobs

 
Club Programs

With 24 clubs and discipline organizations around Alberta it can take a minute to get a lay of the land and figure out what is the best alternative for you.

Our Club Programs page gives you a highlight of the clubs' programming and is designed to help you find the right fit. Whether your location, your interests, or your timing changes, we're sure there is a club for you!

Clubs Programs Page
 
Alberta Summer Games 2026 - Strathcona County/Edmonton

Alberta Summer Games' Canoe Kayak events (slalom & kayak cross) will be held in Rundle Park, July 16-19. We will also host a Pre-Games Polo Tournament on-site. The summer games are a cool opportunity for youth to experience a multi-sport games. 13 sports and around 3000 athletes makes for an amazing atmosphere!

Zone Trials are happening around the Province between now and May. Check with your local club when their trial(s) is being held. Zone trials are a standardized course (see below) held in the pool or pond. From there the best 2 male and 2 female paddlers between the ages of 12-15 (at the date of the Games) will be invited. We will have larger pool of athletes for the Polo Tournament and training opportunity beforehand.

Our Final L2T Online Webinar is April 13th at 7pm - Improving is Fun - Competing is Fun - Hear from our guest athletes about what they love!

Anyone interested is coaching our competitive disciplines can register for the Introduction to Coach Workshop online April 7/8. No paddling experience necessary.

Zone Trials course diagram below 

Canoe Kayak Information
 
Safe Sport - Participant Notice

Alberta Safe Sport Complaint Mechanism - Participant Notice

Dear paddler, coach, parent, official and volunteer,

You are the heart of sport — its energy, its passion, and its future. As you push boundaries, break records, and inspire communities, remember that true greatness begins with safety, respect, and integrity.

Safe sport is not just a policy — it's a promise.

A promise that every participant, regardless of age, background, or level, deserves to train, compete, and thrive in an environment free from abuse, discrimination, and harm. We need your support to promote these important values by showing respect among the sport community and to report situations where the conduct of someone is not respectful of these values.

Your voice matters. Your actions matter.

By standing up for safe sport, you’re not only protecting yourself — you’re protecting your teammates, your sport, and the generations to come.

Be informed. Be involved. Be a leader.

Speak up. Support others. Demand accountability. Together, we can build a culture where safety is the standard, not the exception.

Let’s make sport a place where everyone feels empowered, respected, and safe — always.

Anyone who witnesses or experiences inappropriate behaviour in our organization's environment can report it in complete confidentiality.

Participants, employees, members, community and partners now have access to a reporting platform operated by our external partner, ALIAS.

Every report is received and handled by ALIAS, the independent provider. PSOs are engaged only as required by policy (e.g., jurisdiction or implementing an outcome. Our goal is to prevent and address misconduct, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all. AWA Safe Sport Page

Thank you for your commitment to safe sport.


Step 1 Safe Sport Training

  • Every 3 years - recommended for leaders, volunteers, & parents

Step 2 Screening - 3 tiers

  • EPIC or VSC depending on your role. Anyone leading vulnerable participants (youth, adaptive programs, seniors, etc.) should have a VSC.
  • Before you go for a VSC, email
  • coordinator@albertawhitewater.ca or admin@albertawhitewater.ca for a request letter that can lower cost or waive the fee.

Step 3 AWA Self-Disclosure Form - Yearly

  • Annual Safe Sport Disclosure Form - All Board Members, Leaders and Volunteers

AWA Safe Sport Page

 

Volunteer - Annual Safe Sport Disclosure Form 
 
Slalom News

AWS is excited to announce that the 2026 slalom program registration is now open. There are three programs to choose from - Full Program, Drop-in and Adult Slalom. Register before March 10th to join the season kick-off meeting.

 

For more information visit https://www.albertawhitewaterslalom.com/2026-programs

 

AWS Supported Club Program - Meeting recording - For Clubs interested in getting support to kick off some slalom skills AWS will be providing programming, knowledge and in-person training to make your program an easy success.

 

To connect with our coach to see if a program is right for you. or for clubs to connect about the Club Program, email coach@albertawhitewaterslalom.com

Register Now
 
Polo News

Don't fret, there are still two more tournaments this spring! Rocky Canoe Club and EWP have tournaments in April and May. And you can take advantage of ACPA's Travel Subsidy to get involved!

 

3 v 3 Polo Tournament - Rocky Mountain House

April 11 - 4 - 8  PM 

Join the ACPA and the Rocky Canoe Club for a fun 3-on-3 “half-court-style” canoe polo tournament welcoming new and more experienced  paddlers. Advanced players are encouraged to join in to help newer paddlers learn and experience a safe, enjoyable tourney for everyone.
$15  - Bring your own play boat or polo  boat
$20  - Use RCC equipment 

Aquatic Centre in RMH

REGISTRATION LINK

Participants must be members of an AWA member club.

 

EWP’s Spring Canoe Polo Tournament

The annual EWP Spring Canoe Polo Tournament returns this May 9 & 10 in Edmonton at the Kinsmen Sports centre. This event brings together a variety of skill and experience level players from across the province for a weekend of fast-paced games and great community spirit.

More details and registration information will be shared through club channels and  the ACPA. 

Registration will be on the EWP web site. 

The Annual Cup of the North

In February, the Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers (EWP) welcomed teams from across Canada, the United States and from Wales for 3 days of playing in the largest Canoe Polo Tournament in North America. 

Sunday’s A Division final was a rematch of the Great White Buffalo (Edmonton region) and the Welsh Team, the Dragons. The GWB scored the golden goal in a dramatic overtime finish to take the win!

 

ACPA Facebook Page
 
Freestyle News

APL Programs

APL has a fantastic line up of programs this summer. Youth, Masters, and Women-Only sessions will bring a lot of excitement to the river this summer.

5 sessions - Women's Only training program with female instructors

15 sessions - Youth training - Year Pass or Drop-in

5 sessions - Masters training - a bit more warm up & no kids to show us up!

Freestyle Events

A full season of events is on tap including:

  • Harvie Open
  • KanOpener
  • Brierley's WhoopUp
  • KanFest
  • Nationals
  • and more!
APL Programs
Brierley's v Brierlies

Did you know that most of us have it wrong? The Brierley's are named after the Brierley family that homesteaded in the area. 

 
NEW - AWA Accident Insurance

New this year is optional Accident Insurance.

For just $20 per year you can have coverage in the event of an accident on any AWA/Club sanctioned club trip, program, or event within Canada. A little peace of mind while you play.

Get Now or Learn More
 
Membership renewal

Please take a moment to renew your 2026 membership and while you're at it, invite a friend!

Club membership directly helps the clubs offer programming, provide equipment, train instructors and ultimately serve its members.

AWA's $5 or $15 membership fees only cover liability insurance costs, but the membership numbers help with provincial funding, and give weight to the importance of recreation. This leads to better facilities, better access, and a recognition that river recreation is an important piece of the water management puzzle. 

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW
 
Next Events

Leadership

April 7/8 - Introduction Competition Coach - Online

April 25-26 - Whitewater Leadership Symposium - Kananaskis

River Rescue Courses - Calgary, Sundre, Hinton

& More

Competition

March 14-29 - Slalom World Ranking Race - OKC

April 11 - 3 v 3 Polo Tournament - Rocky Mountain House

April 18 - World Paddling Film Festival - Edmonton

May 2 - 18th Annual Penguin Race - Waterwerks

May 30 - Harvie Open

August 1/2 - PanAm Whitewater Championships - Kananaskis

& More

Festival

May 15-18 - 3-Rivers Rendezvous - Pincher Creek

July 10-12 - KanFest

& More

Events Calendar
 
Summer Jobs

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 and then top up based on qualifications/role. 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 2026. 

Bow Valley Kayak Club is looking for a new Head Instructor and Program Director

AWA is looking for two students to work at the Harvie PFD Lending station July & August.

AWA is looking for an Event / Communications role full time in the summer and potentially starting part-time in the spring.

Spread the word!

Job Opportunities
 

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

 

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