Founded in 1968, the objective of the United States Canoe Association (USCA), Inc. is to encourage the growth of paddling as a recognized competitive sport and beneficial recreational activity through educational programs that will enable persons to enjoy paddlesports in natural valued settings that promote conservation, safety, fitness, good mental health and participation in family and community life to the fullest extent possible. The USCA sanctions programs and events to promote paddlesport competition including its two marquee annual events; USCA National Canoe & Kayak Championship and the USCA Stock Aluminum & K-1 Downriver/Touring Championship.
USCA Competition Rules 2019 (PDF Document)
USCA Competition Rules Addendum for 2024 Nationals (PDF Document)
USCA Marathon Nationals
The United States Canoe Association holds its major, six-day national marathon canoe & kayak championship week every year, usually in early-to-mid August.
The current format is:
Tue: Adult & Adult/Youth Sprints & Sprints for Paddlers with Physical Disabilities: 2012 details
Wed: Instructor Training (all day course), Orienteering , and the “unofficial, fun” Biathlon (links give 2012 details)
Thu: Youth Sprints: 2012 details
Fri-Sun: Marathon races, typically 2-3 hours in length. Links for 2012 details:
Friday: Marathons including USACK and Barton Cup C1 Finals for Youth
Saturday: Marathons including USACK
Marathons including USACK and Barton Cup K1 Finals for Youth
The week-long event caters to paddlers from 5 to 90+ Years. The marathon races are for adults and combined adult/youth teams. The marathon races in particular cater to paddlers whose expertise ranges from intermediate to elite and whose training ranges from casual to intense.
Database of USCA Marathon Nationals Results (Maintained on paddlestats.net by Eric Jones)
USCA Aluminum Nationals
The full official name is USCA National Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships — commonly referred to as: “The Aluminum Nationals”.
Annually on a variable date – United States Canoe Association holds the USCA National Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships every year, on a variable date set by the Aluminum Nationals host. The championship courses are typically 2-3 hours in length. The one-day event is often accompanied by a second day’s racing, often in other types of racing boats.
Sex and age classes – Official classes are for Men Open, Women Open, Men Master (both paddlers 40 years+), and Women Master (both paddlers 40 years+). Junior Men and Junior Women were added as championship classes in 2010 and most recently Men and Women Downriver Kayak.
Open to all – The Championships can be raced by anyone (paddling a qualifying aluminum canoe) including paddlers whose expertise and training ranges from advanced beginner to elite.
Database of USCA Stock Aluminum Nationals Results (Maintained on paddlestats.net by Eric Jones)