ACA Florida

05/21/2026

Happy National Safe Boating Week!

05/14/2026

Update: this event has been canceled.

FWC, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Tampa Bay Kayak Anglers in partnership with the American Canoe Association will be offering a limited-space Kayaking 101 course at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach on Saturday, May 16th.

Participants will learn from American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructors how to safely paddle Florida’s amazing waterways while building confidence and basic kayaking skills.

Course Details:
📍 Suncoast Youth Conservation Center – Apollo Beach
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (ET)
💲 $15 per person
✅ Includes kayak rental and all necessary gear

• Participants must be at least 12 years old
• Only single kayaks are available
• Students must be able to paddle independently
• Space is very limited and registration will be first come, first served

Space is limited, and registration is required: https://outreach.myfwc.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2057828&group=&fbclid=IwY2xjawRwFoBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlVUxsOHJ1OVBKTG0xMUIxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpBQXIJ0rDeeSQSuqgpJk_33drV6mYr-xhIAkaEstaWVCHRr4DVywk5OYk6Y_aem_P015xCyQyqIplz_E0aaCaA

05/12/2026

**REGISTRATION IS OPEN for KAYAKING 101 on May 16th in FLORIDA at SUNCOAST YOUTH CONSERVATION CENTER for NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK**

REGISTER NOW:
(NOTE it is a 2-part registration)
https://outreach.myfwc.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2057828&group=

For the first time, the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife and Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network are teaming up with paddlesports leaders to offer low-cost beginner kayaking classes Saturday, May 16 at Suncoast Youth Conservation Center to kick off National Safe Boating Week.

The class costs just $15 per person, including kayak rental and all necessary gear - to receive training that typically costs between $75 and $150. Each class is limited to 15 participants. Instructors are American Canoe Association (ACA)-certified, Florida volunteers supported by Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and ACA Florida.

Class will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine at Suncoast Youth Conservation Center.

*This is a special once a year opportunity made possible by local volunteers in celebration of National Safe Boating Week.

REGISTER NOW:
(NOTE there is a 2-part registration)
https://outreach.myfwc.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2057828&group=

02/12/2026

Sign up today!

Get certified as an ACA Kayak and Kayak Fishing Instructor!

- April 20-25 near Tampa, FL
- Working with Jake Vitak, ACA Instructor Trainer from Good Tides Kayaking
- Earn Level 1 Kayak Instructor Certification
- Also get extra instructor credentials to teach Smart Start Paddlesports Facilitator Certification as well as Kayak Fishing
- *Already certified ACA Canoe, Kayak and SUP instructors can sign up just to attend the Instructor Endorsement days

This is a rare opportunity to earn ACA Kayak Instructor certification and the Instructor Endorsement to teach Kayak Fishing in one fell swoop! Register now to secure your spot in the class!

Https://tampabaykayakanglers.org/aca-instructor-certification/

01/27/2026

Join us March 13-15 at Fort Walton Beach, FL for our Spring Ocean Training Camp! Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

https://paddleguru.com/races/SoutheastPaddleSportsFloridaSpringTrainingCamp2026

01/24/2026