The United States Canoe Association (USCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to canoeing and paddle sports within the United States. Established in 1968, it is headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana.
USCA promotes and encourages the growth of paddling as a recognized competitive sport and beneficial recreational activity through educational and competitive programs.
The USCA sanctions programs and events to promote paddlesport competition including its two marquee annual events; USCA National Canoe & Kayak Championship[1] and the USCA Stock Aluminum & K-1 Downriver/Touring Championship. In January 2023, USCA announced that Warren County, PA would host the 2024 championship event.[2]
The USCA sponsors a youth cup named after one of its members Greg Barton. Barton won four canoeing medals at the Summer Olympics, including golds in the K-1 1000 m and K-2 1000 m events at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He also won several medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.
The Association publishes a quarterly magazine, Canoe News, devoted to competition, recreational cruising and camping, water safety, construction and maintenance of equipment, and canoeing news in general. The organization claims it is the only magazine that focuses solely on marathon canoe and kayak racing.[3] USCA also publishes a canoe safety brochure and a training safety video under the approval of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Association selects a location for the championships each year. They have been held every year since 1968 except for 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
| Year | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Cumberland River, Oneida, TN | |
| 1969 | Wabash, IN | |
| 1970 | Springfield, OH | |
| 1971 | Oscoda, MI | |
| 1972 | Oil City, PA | |
| 1973 | Menominee River, Marinette, WI | |
| 1974 | Waco, TX | |
| 1975 | Constantine, MI | |
| 1976 | Little Miami River, Milford, OH | |
| 1977 | Susquehanna River, Owego, NY | |
| 1978 | Fox River, St. Charles, IL | |
| 1979 | Wisconsin River, Muscoda, WI | |
| 1980 | Wabash, IN | |
| 1981 | Lafayette, IN | |
| 1982 | Oswego River, Fulton, NY | |
| 1983 | Current River, Doniphan, MO | |
| 1984 | Flint, MI | |
| 1985 | Wabash River, Lafayette, IN | |
| 1986 | Barren River, Bowling Green, KY | |
| 1987 | Jersey Shore, PA | |
| 1988 | Connecticut River, Hanover, NH | |
| 1989 | Marinette, WI | |
| 1990 | Susquehanna River, Owego, NY | |
| 1991 | Marinette, WI | |
| 1992 | Lewistown, PA | |
| 1993 | Jersey Shore, PA | |
| 1994 | Columbus, OH | |
| 1995 | Syracuse, NY | |
| 1996 | Oregon, IL | |
| 1997 | Niles, MI | |
| 1998 | Jersey Shore, PA | |
| 1999 | Niles, MI | |
| 2000 | Lafayette, IN | |
| 2001 | Gainesville, GA | |
| 2002 | Hanover, NH | |
| 2003 | Warren, PA | |
| 2004 | Oscoda, MI | |
| 2005 | Warren, PA | |
| 2006 | Peshtigo, WI | |
| 2007 | Warren, PA | |
| 2008 | Bristol, IN | |
| 2009 | Warren, PA | |
| 2010 | Peshtigo, WI | |
| 2011 | Newaygo, MI | |
| 2012 | Warren, PA | |
| 2013 | Newaygo, MI | |
| 2014 | Lock Haven, PA | |
| 2015 | Warren, PA | |
| 2016 | Connecticut River, Northfield, MA | |
| 2017 | Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA | |
| 2018 | Seneca River, Syracuse, NY | |
| 2019 | Allegheny River, Warren, PA | |
| 2020 | Muskegon River / Croton Dam Pond, Newaygo, MI Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic | |
| 2021 | Allegheny River, Warren, PA Moved from Lock Haven, PA | |
| 2022 | Muskegon River, Newaygo, MI | |
| 2023 | W. Branch Susquehanna River, Lock Haven, PA | |
| 2024 | Allegheny River, Warren, PA |