United States Canoe Association


The United States Canoe Association 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.
WWW uscanoe.com

Programs

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. In January 2023, USCA announced that Warren County, PA would host the 2024 championship event.

Youth Cup

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.

Publications

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. USCA also publishes a canoe safety brochure and a training safety video under the approval of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Championship locations

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.
YearLocation
1968Cumberland River, Oneida, Tennessee
1969Wabash, Indianadiana
1970Springfield, Ohioio
1971Oscoda, Michigan
1972Oil City, Pennsylvania
1973Menominee River, Massachusettsrinette, Wisconsin
1974Waco, Texas
1975Constantine, Michigan
1976Little Miami River, Michiganlford, Ohio
1977Susquehanna River, Owego, New York
1978Fox River, St. Charles, Illinois
1979Wisconsin River, Muscoda, Wisconsin
1980Wabash, Indiana
1981Lafayette, Indiana
1982Oswego River, Fulton, New York
1983Current River, Doniphan, Missouri
1984Flint, Michigan
1985Wabash River, Lafayette, Indiana
1986Barren River, Bowling Green, Kentucky
1987Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
1988Connecticut River, Hanover, New Hampshire
1989Marinette, Wisconsin
1990Susquehanna River, Owego, New York
1991Marinette, Wisconsin
1992Lewistown, Pennsylvania
1993Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
1994Columbus, Ohio
1995Syracuse, New York
1996Oregon, Illinois
1997Niles, Michigan
1998Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
1999Niles, Michigan
2000Lafayette, Indiana
2001Gainesville, Georgia
2002Hanover, New Hampshire
2003Warren, Pennsylvania
2004Oscoda, Michigan
2005Warren, Pennsylvania
2006Peshtigo, Wisconsin
2007Warren, Pennsylvania
2008Bristol, Indiana
2009Warren, Pennsylvania
2010Peshtigo, Wisconsin
2011Newaygo, Michigan
2012Warren, Pennsylvania
2013Newaygo, Michigan
2014Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
2015Warren, Pennsylvania
2016Connecticut River, Northfield, Massachusetts
2017Mississippi River, Dubuque, Iowa
2018Seneca River, Syracuse, New York
2019Allegheny River, Warren, Pennsylvania
2020Muskegon River / Croton Dam Pond, Newaygo, Michigan
Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
2021Allegheny River, Warren, Pennsylvania
Moved from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
2022Muskegon River, Newaygo, Michigan
2023W. Branch Susquehanna River, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
2024Allegheny River, Warren, Pennsylvania