The Alberta Whitewater Association was founded in 1972. The inclusion of canoe slalom in the 1972 Olympic Games prompted much excitement across Canada for whitewater paddling. The equipment has all changed since then, but the interest in whitewater paddling in Alberta has only grown through the years and can be seen by the number of paddlers on the water and the highest number of clubs of anywhere in North America!
Historical highlights
- 1970   The Canadian White Water Association (CWWA) sends an exploratory group to Alberta to develop the sport, find ww paddlers, teach new paddlers and explore Alberta’s rivers.
- 1972Â Â Â Alberta Whitewater Association forms a non-profit association and is recognized as the Provincial Sport Governing Organization for closed deck whitewater canoeing and kayaking
- Alberta hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the upper Red Deer River near Sundre for the first time ever.
- The Olympics hosts the first Whitewater Slalom Canoe/Kayak event at Augsberg, Germany.
- 1973Â Â Â Alberta sends its first athlete, Henri Bureaud to the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Championships in Muota, Switzerland.
- Albertans have competed in every ICF World Championship and the World Cup races since 1973, including every Olympics until 2012.
- 1976Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the upper Red Deer River near Sundre for the 2nd time.
- 1978Â Â Â The AWA develops and implements a provincial certification program for River Leaders and Instructors to lead trips and teach kayaking.Â
- 1979Â Â Â Canada hosts the first World Championships held in North America for Wildwater and Slalom at Jonquiere, Quebec
- 1980Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Maligne River near Jasper.
- 1982Â Â Â AWA joins other provinces and CWWA to develop an instructor and coaching certification program through the NCCP that will replace the AWA Kayak Instructor certifications.
- 1984Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the upper Bow River near Lake Louise.
- 1984   The AWA begins construction of a whitewater training and racing facility on the Kananaskis River  at Canoe Meadows.
Every 4-5 years the AWA rebuilds and improves the lower Kananaskis River features and racing facility for recreational and competitive programs. Â
- 1988Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 1991   The AWA works with the Alberta government to construct a whitewater training and race facility at Boulder Run below the new Oldman River Dam near Pincher Creek. Â
- 1992   Slalom Canoe/Kayak reappears at the Barcelona Olympics. Alberta sends 3 athletes to the Olympics (Joanne Woods K1W – 8th, David Ford K1M – 15th, Roy Sharplin C1M – 22nd)
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Oldman River at Boulder Run.
- 1994   Alberta sends a team to the ICF’s first Canoe Polo World Championships to represent Canada.
- 1990’s Freestyle kayaking (Kayak Rodeo) emerges as a new discipline in whitewater sport and World Championships are organized by an independent committee.
- 1996Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 1999Â Â Â Albertan David Ford wins the ICF World Championships in K1M Slalom, the first non-European to win this premier event.
- 2001Â Â Â The AWA and the Northwest Territories Kayak Association hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Slave River near Fort Smith.
- 2004Â Â Â Alberta Canoe Polo Association (ACPA) is formed to represent canoe polo in Alberta and fundraise for its activities
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Alberta Slalom Canoe Kayak Association (ASCK) is formed to represent canoe/kayak slalom in Alberta and fundraise for its activities
- 2005Â Â Â The AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 2008Â Â Â ACPA hosts the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta
- 2009Â Â Â ASCK and AWA hosts the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 2011Â Â Â In Calgary, Harvie Passage is completed and opened to the public, transforming the deadly drowning machine at the WID weir into a recreational amenity in the downtown core.
- 2012Â Â Â Alberta Freestyle Kayak Association is formed to represent whitewater freestyle kayaking in Alberta and fundraise for its activities
- 2013Â Â Â Major floods hit southern Alberta and destroy the whitewater facilities and features at Canoe Meadows, Harvie Passage and Boulder Run
-  ASCK and AFKA host the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater and Freestyle on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 2014Â Â Â AWA begins management of the Canoe Meadows Campsite on the Kananaskis River and undertakes a $750,000 rebuilding of the whitewater features on the Kananaskis
- 2018Â Â Â AWA, ASCK and AFKA host the Canadian National Whitewater Championships for Slalom and Wildwater and Freestyle on the Kananaskis River at Canoe Meadows.
- 2020 Alberta Parks rebuilds the Canoe Meadows and Widow Maker Campground and Day-Use areas.
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