We are a proud member of the American Canoe Association.

The ACA website; “Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation.”

From the ACA website;

• Provide the general public with FUN paddlesport opportunities
• Make paddling education and instruction accessible
• Improve access to all paddling venues
• Expand paddlesport to people of all abilities and to the underserved
• Influence stewardship issues and public policy that affect paddlers and the paddling experience
• Promote paddlesports competition at the local, regional and national levels
• Create strategic alliances with clubs and other organizations that represent the outdoor experience in order to expand awareness and knowledge of paddlesport
• Communicate the benefits of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddleboarding as healthy lifetime recreation activities

“The heart of the ACA is the people who paddle, cherish and protect the rivers, lakes, streams, bays and oceans of the United States and beyond.”

As a perk to joining the ACA,  here is a spectacular ACA member benefit!

From the ACA website: “Sugar Island is located in the heart of the Thousand Islands in Gananoque, Ontario Canada, which is an international tourism destination near the St. Lawrence Islands National Park. The 35 acre island is privately owned by the ACA and is available to all members for year round use.

“Getting to Sugar Island is as much of part of your trip as your stay. The island is located approximately one mile from the Canadian Mainland. You can paddle out to the island or the great folks at Misty Isles Lodge in Gananoque, Ontario offer a water taxi service to the island.”

“What to do on an island you might ask? The island is rustic, with no modern amenities. It is a pristine, pure environment with crystal clear water, clean air, and beautiful night skies. Swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, sail, or simply relax.”

‘2014 ACA National Encampment: July 27 – August 8’

• New ACA members receive two(2) free nights of camping! (Reservation Form)
• Directions
• Maps (Detailed / Overview)
• Brochure
• 2014 ACA National Encampment
• History of Sugar Island (Article 1 / Article 2 / Powerpoint)
• Ecology of Sugar Island (PDF)
• Sugar Island Rules & Regulations (word)
• Sugar Island Emergancy Action Plan (word)
• For reservations, contact Marcia Banholzer
• International Canoe Regatta at Sugar Island (YouTube)

‘Sugar Island offers all ACA members the opportunity for a unique paddlesport camping experience. Stay for a weekend, a week, or a month!”

Join ACA today! Visit the ACA website for more information.

Enter to #win your chance at a #HolyCowCanoe Prize pack.  The photo with the most votes and or shares wins. Post your photo on the Holy Cow Canoe Facebook page, it will be added to the contest album. Don’t forget to share your post! Vote on your favorite #paddling photo. We’ll announce  the winner here on the Holy Cow Canoe website, May 2nd. Contest will be running until May 1st.

You can either submit your photo and one or two lines of your paddling memories on Facebook or send us your entry in an email. And we’ll be sure to add it to the album!

Thank you to all that have submitted an entry.

From all us here at the Cow!

Dear Holy Cow Canoe Company:
Here is a photo or two from my four-day adventure in Bon Echo Park last July while learning paddling skills from the queen of the canoe, Becky Mason.
Ms. Mason was kind enough to teach us a variety of paddling skills while imparting her immense love and respect for the land and water.
I recall it was an incredibly hot the week when we were there, with daytime temperatures in the plus 25-30 degree Celsius range.
That meant that most of the 8 women taking part in the trek took advantage of a dip or two in JoePerry Lake.
My group wanted backcountry adventure away from RV’s and the tent trailers and we got it.
It was thrilling to see Mazinaw Rock, the aboriginal pictographs on the rock wall.
I bought my first canoe last year, an old fiberglass 16-foot clunker but it gets me out on the water and I love it.
Paddling is my passion; it is sensual and touches an emotional side of me.
It is my quiet form of meditation.
Magic happens on the water when a paddle is dipped into a clean, clear northern lake.
I can hardly wait to get out on the water this spring. Go away old man winter and let the young spring chick come around.
Thank you,
Sue Nielsen
Paddler
— at Bon Echo Provincial Park.