United States Association (USCA) is a nationwide community of canoe and racers who race hard, train hard, and know how What is canoe What does the USCA offer? to have fun. USCA is dedicated to this lifetime and kayak ? sport and wants to help you meet your goals. Join today. • Information and guidance for clubs and racers on topics like safety, promotion, standardizing rules, and hosting a national event. Marathon racing, solo or in pairs, is tough, Do I have to be fit to race? • An annual National Championship that brings Canoe and kayak races attract athletes from a variety challenging and fun for men and woman of all ages together hundreds of the best paddlers in North of backgrounds with varying levels of conditioning. and abilities. Race distances range from two to 200 America. National events include marathon racing, What racing classes Fitness certainly helps and the top competitors train miles, and, incredibly, sometimes longer. Though youth and adult sprints, canoe and stock intensely throughout the year. On the flip side, a most races are on rivers, rapids rarely exceed Class are included? aluminum canoe racing. number of shorter races are less competitive and II. Many races also feature one or more . Age divisions are offered for youth and adults, from For the ultra adventurous, ultra : from the require less training. The good news is that paddling • A quarterly magazine, Canoe News, with reports age 5 up to 70+ for males and females, paddling solo 70-mile General Clinton Regatta on the Susquehanna is primarily an upper body sport with low impact and on races across the country and articles on training, or tandem. In addition, races are divided into “racing” in central New York to the 450-mile Yukon River fewer injuries than . safety, nutrition, conservation and much more (often called “Pro” ) and recreational classes. Quest, which features stunning scenery, countless blisters, and inspires scores of tall tales. These are • A website, www.uscanoe.com, with the How can I become involved? the hardest of the hard but there are many more latest information on race schedules and results USCA Membership benefits • USCA’s Canoe News magazine As an Athlete: If you want to compete USCA great events featured on the USCA calendar. throughout the nation with links to other • Being part of a dynamic community of canoe and wants you! Recreational and “serious” racers alike paddlesport activities. Marathon are open boats propelled with kayak racers can enjoy the camaraderie of training, competing and • A national body that governs the specifications for carbon-fiber bent-shaft with single blades. • Eligibility to participate at USCA National developing skills in a lifetime fitness sport. racing canoes and in order to provide fair and Most racers use sleek, lightweight boats made of Championships fun racing. As a Club Affiliate or Race Sponsor:Paddling fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber or wood. Often there • Access to schedule of regional and national races clubs and Race Sponsors are the lifeblood of are classes for stable aluminum and recreational • Insurance and safety guidelines for race organizers. and results paddlesports. Starting a club can be exciting and canoes. Kayaks are closed-decked boats propelled • Access to water safety program and paddling • Instructional programs and manuals for rewarding, both for the individual and for the with a doubled-bladed and typically feature a clinics and directed toward youth and adult community. USCA can provide guidance and rudder for steering. There are classes for a variety • Contributions are tax deductible organizations. Welcome Paddler (a safety support, including advertising, insurance, and contacts of kayak types – down river, sea kayaks, surf skis and • Liability insurance and sanctioning for events education brochure). A video: Introduction to with experienced organizers. Call us if you want to ICF, or flatwater racing boats. start a club or stage a race in your town. Quietwater Canoeing.

As a nonprofit, amateur athletic, educational organization, USCA sanctions and promotes marathon canoe and kayak racing for both serious and recreational paddlers. USCA Membership Application

Application Date Membership Information Organization Come paddle Governing Last Name Available to anyone 18 or over. Full benefits, all USCA with us! First Name publications, may vote for delegates, hold office and participate in all Association activities. Middle Name Address Junior Must be at least 15 years old but no older than 17 City on January 1 of current year. Receives all benefits, State Zip however, a junior is not eligible to vote or hold office.

Country Family ® Telephone Persons related to and residing within the same household with children under 19. One adult receives E-Mail a Governing membership with full benefits. Other Date of Birth family members are eligible to participate.

Member Type (choose one) Price Club Affiliate One Governing membership to the appointed ■ Governing 18 & over $2000 representative of organized clubs of eight or more How do I find out more? 00 ■ Family $25 members. Eligible for one delegate when club has 10 ■ Junior, 5-17 $750 or more USCA members. May sponsor races at no ■ Race Sponsor $3000 additional fee. For further information go to ■ Club Affiliate $3000 www.uscanoe.com ■ Business Affiliate $3000 Race Sponsor One person will receive a Governing membership ■ Foreign (US funds only) with full benefits. Additional benefits are bulletins Canada/Mexico: add $500 ® All others add $1000 pertaining to racing, aid in scheduling and race publicity.

For family membership (other than above member) Foreign Please complete the following: Any nonresident, non-citizen who supports the NAME BIRTH DATE purposes of the USCA. Any type membership is Canoe and available with full benefits except one may not hold office in the Association. Kayak Dues Dues received after October 1 apply toward the Marathon balance of the year and for the entire following year. Dues are for the calendar year. Racing in Total Amount enclosed: $ ______

Print and send Membership Form to: America Harold Theiss • 12802 Lake Jovita Blvd. Dade City, FL 33525-8265