59th Annual Missouri Whitewater Championships
2026-03-27 - 2026-03-29 | Millstream Gardens, Ironton, MO, 63650, United States
Learn more at our official race page

Wednesday night Weekly Moving Water Training, spring 2026
2026-04-01 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Meramac River at 141 – Arnold Grove Trailhead, 38.547659, -90.495046, Valley Park, MO, United States
Wednesday’s Moving Water Practice on the Meramec River. These MWA’s sessions run every Wednesday rain or shine (unless there’s severe weather), April 1 through July 29. If the primary instructor, Joe Sartori, is unavailable, another ACA instructor will lead. (Keep an eye on this FB page for weekly updates.) Other ACA instructors and experienced volunteers will be there to help (more welcome!). No need to pre-register. RSVP is appreciated.
Where: Meet at Meramec Greenway Trailhead: Meramec Landing Park Boat Ramp. At 6:00 we will hit the water and paddle until 7:30 pm (where we met in 2025).
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FORMAT WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN YEARS PAST DUE TO THE DIFFERENT VENUE AND LACK OF STILL WATER.
Sessions are with approval from the City of Valley Park. Come once or every week.

You must come with all of your own whitewater paddling gear including a whitewater boat, helmet, Lifejacket (PFD), paddle and air bags. A spray skirt if you plan to use one.
Each session, you must check in with the primary instructor before getting on the water.
We will take as many participants as we have instructors and support / safety boaters.
If you are new to the primary instructor, be prepared to wet exit or attest to your wet exit skills.

If you are with Team River Runner and want TRR to bring you gear, you must contact them by the Tuesday night prior, stltrr@teamriverrunner.org. If you request gear and “no show,” TRR will charge you $10 for the inconvenience.
Fees: You must either (A) be an ACA Member to participate (join here https://americancanoe.org/); or (B) be a TRR-affiliated Veteran/Service member who has signed TRR’s 2026 Waiver. Otherwise, there is no charge for this event. We encourage you to join the MWA as your membership helps sustain our programs.
Waiver: Before you participate, everyone must sign the 2026 Annual MWA Waiver. We will not have paper waivers at the river. Sign the waiver once and you are good for all of our Wednesday sessions. If you already signed the 2026 Annual MWA Waiver as an ACA Member for the Missouri Whitewater Championship Races or the MWA Clinic, you are all set!
Details: We will warm up with some sweep and forward stroke progressions, a little bow draw work, and then blending strokes. Then practice peel-outs, ferries, and eddy turns. Beginners welcome. If you are new to whitewater kayaking and have your sights set on the MWA clinic, this is perfect for you. If you are not new to kayaking, these sessions can help you strengthen and refine your skills.
ACA Instructors, let Joe know if you’re willing to teach a skill or an evening session. Joe is a superb instructor and can give you feedback (afterward) as you refine your teaching.
Questions: Joe Sartori <paddlenut99@gmail.com> {or CathyMcCredie <Cmccredie@charter.net>}

MWA Kayak Instructor Certification, blended ACA L3 & L4 course
2026-04-08 - 2026-04-12 | Cinco De Mayo Campground, 1042 Hwy H, Farmington, MO, 63640, United States
ACA L-3 and L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Course

April 8-12, 2026

Location – St Francis River, MO
Host- Missouri Whitewater Association
Course fee- $650.00

Contact – Tom Burroughs ACA Whitewater Kayak ITE email at- Swiftwaterrescue@gmail.com

Jojo Newbold about the campground & meal plan (see below) <FlyAKayak@outlook.com> 573-326-9008.
Sally Haywood if you are connected to Team River Runner.

Want to become a Certified Kayak Instructor through the most recognized Instructor Certification organization in Paddlesports? Founded in 1880, the ACA is the gold standard of instruction methods and techniques for paddlesports training. Polish your kayaking technique as you learn experientially based methods of teaching others quickly and effectively. This course is not a “learn to paddle” course. It is designed to help the experienced river paddler learn to design and run effective courses, and unravel the mysteries of teaching others! Your days will consist of time on the water practicing techniques and teaching methods, and at our land classroom working on course design, administrative skills, presentation methods and video review and evaluation.

As an ACA Instructor Trainer/Educator in Whitewater Kayaking, Swiftwater Rescue and Whitewater Rafting, my goal is to help you meet your potential, which is often far greater than you realize! Over the past 27 years of teaching and guiding on rivers in the US and abroad, I have discovered numerous effective ways to help my students advance and learn, and I look forward to bringing that to Missouri’s whitewater paddlers!

Wed am – Sunday pm. Registration through Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators (OSRA) and taught by Tom Burroughs.

For most everyone, Standard (NON- TRR) registration for ACA L-3/4 Kayak Instructor Candidate.
Team River Runner (TRR) veteran / service member registration for ACA L-3/4 Kayak Instructor Candidate registration.

Post-registration, please study the letter the instructor will send you. It will have pre-course assignments in it and a gear list.
This five-day (40-hour min) course prepares participants to teach and model the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills needed to teach river or whitewater kayaking. L3/4 students say that their kayaking skills are greatly elevated by the ability to demonstrate and instruct.
Course Prerequisites – the skills described in the ACA Level 3 & 4 Kayaking Skills Assessment, which include the following (note: beginning in 2027, ACA will require that an instructor have gained and taught at an L3 level prior to pursuing an L4 certification):
1. A reliable river roll that works in Class II/III water;
2. Completion of (a) the appropriate level kayaking skills course or equivalent kayak skill; AND (b) assessment by an ACA L3 or L4 instructor using the following list (instructor credentials matching the level the student candidate is pursuing). See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8m9hBZCcRAM&list=PLRPQF2MRPvGj6pY6gYk7LX4sv7aeFo1xx&index=14&pp=iAQB :

Level 3: River Kayaking
Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking

If your assessment instructor, who is currently ACA credentialed, indicates you “need more practice” on a skill, you can practice. Then you need to have an ACA instructor re-assess that skill and sign off as “Pass” on all skills PRIOR to class.The teaching venue will be Missouri’s St. Francis River. L3 candidates have the option to portage any rapids of the lower St Francis River beyond their ability.
3. Students of an ACA class must be current members of the ACA in advance of the course, https://americancanoe.org/join-the-aca/
4. Completion of an ACA Swiftwater Rescue (SWR) class is strongly suggested, but not required.
See Course Curriculum – ACA (americancanoe.org), “River Kayaking” for the above Assessments, Instructor Criteria, and sample skills course content that successful L3/L4 instructors will be prepared to teach.
Full refunds will be issued by the instructor in the event of course cancellation.
Location: The course will be based out of Cinco de Mayo Campground – Riverside RV Park in Farmington and the St Francis River, Millstream Gardens. The campground can offer accommodations and a meal plan, which you arrange directly with them.
Taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655 (credentials below). Working with Tom Burroughs to teach this program, assisted by Glenn Harman, L4-WWK Instructor Trainer, ACA L4 Whitewater Kayak and Canoe Instructor, as well as an L4 Swiftwater Instructor. Glenn has worked for the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for more than 18 years, where he leads DNR’s paddling instructional programs. Glenn is an avid paddler, traveling all over the country to paddle class 3 and 4 whitewater rivers such as the Ocoee and Arkansas rivers in Tennessee and Colorado. Glenn has also traveled out of the US to paddle the Rio Clara River in Chile and the Ottawa River in Canada. Glenn is passionate about kayak instruction and river safety. He feels that the key to safe and enjoyable whitewater kayaking is knowledge of the river and paddling skill.
Cost: $650. Minimum registrants 4 (for course to happen); Maximum 10.
See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy for MWA members. MWA reimburses members for certain trainings after completion of an MWA volunteer commitment. You need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer. If you need a scholarship to participate in this course, please communicate with an MWA Board member. MWA is developing a scholarship policy.

Taught by Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer EducatorACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue teamDirector, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society

MWA Whitewater Clinic 2026
2026-04-24 08:00 - 2026-04-26 16:00 | Silver Mines Campground, Highway D, Ironton, MO, 63650, United States
See details here: Beginner/Intermediate Whitewater Clinic – Missouri Whitewater Association
Registration opens 2/1/26.

Arkansas Canoe Club’s annual School of Whitewater Paddling
2026-05-01 14:00 - 2026-05-03 17:00 | The Mulberry River, based at Turner Bend’s Round the Bend campground, 35.657634, -93.829103, Ozark, AR, 72949, United States
Excellent paddling instruction at many levels. Classes are divided into Whitewater Kayak, Solo Whitewater Canoe, Tandem Whitewater Canoe, Swiftwater Rescue, and Standup Paddleboard.
This annual event is always the weekend that includes the 1st Sunday of May. Registration opens March 1st and often fills up (details from 2024 registration as a sample). Additional information will be sent to registered participants via email and updates will be posted to the ACC Facebook page. If you have other questions, contact the School Director.
Please let the School Director know if you would be willing to volunteer as an instructor, assistant instructor, or support boater. This is a great way to keep up your instruction skills! Note: Family members will not be put in the same group.

May General Meeting
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:30 | MO
Our bi-monthly members update! Join us to learn about our upcoming events and get a quick report from each of our committees: Bylaws, Clinic, Conservation, Finance, Race, Safety/Training and Youth.

Veterans' Camp at Perre Marquette - TRR Central Region & Team Red, White, & Blue
2026-05-22 14:00 - 2026-05-25 11:30 | Perre Marquette State Park, 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, IL, 62037, United States
WHO: Veterans, their friends & family (age 10+), and civilian volunteers
WHAT: Camp, hike, and paddle
WHEN: 22-25 May 2026
WHERE: Pere Marquette State Park, Duncan Hill Rd, Grafton, IL 62037 – Duncan Hill Group Campground
Registration Deadline: 25 April 2026
Organized by TRR Central Region & Team Red, White, & Blue

Join Memorial Day Weekend for camaraderie and challenge, camping, hiking, kayaking, and more. We will have games, prizes, and raffles, which will include limited horseback riding.
Free for Veterans with a refundable registration fee. Non-refundable for any non-Veteran companions, including children over 10. $50 per person due at registration.
Open to all skill levels. We will have lake paddles, which will be relaxing and an excellent introduction to paddling. We will also have moving water river kayaking. We will have experienced kayakers from Team River Runner (TRR), Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA), the Alpine Shop, St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (SLCKC), and the Missouri Whitewater Association (MWA). We will have a finite number of kayaks and gear (life jackets, paddles), so requests are first-come. Please bring your own paddling gear if you have some.
Pere Marquette is offering us free camping at the group site. Cabins and a room in the lodge are available to rent (arrange that on your own). Simple meals will be provided.

Current draft schedule:

Fri., May 22nd: Arrive and set up camp. Afternoon hike up to McAdams Peak with views of the Illinois River valley and into Calhoun County.
Sat., May 23rd: We will split into groups. Some will do an all-day paddle on the Illinois River; Some can paddle on Lower Stump Lake
Sun., May 24th: We will split into groups. Options:
– Horseback riding – We’ll have a lottery for the limited slots
– Paddle on Silver Lake
– Hike
– Kick back and rest at the park / Lodge / Visitors Center/ Waterfront
– Perhaps some other options that we’re working on.
Mon., May 25th: Relax. Pack up and leave

Link here for more info and to register. Pere Marquette Veterans’ Camp Flier.
Volunteers needed! Will need people to act as greeters, meal leaders, managers on duty for different activities (eg, for those who do not want to hike or paddle), moving boats for those who cannot, other activities, eg: lead yoga / meditation / thai chi/ stretching / lawn games / evening bonfire, break down, and/or other things. Let us know when you would be available and how you might like to help. THANK YOU!

Point of Contact (POC): HD Key, hd.key@teamriverrunner.org, 636-706-4254

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Participants in TRR events need to electronically sign a 2026 National TRR Waiver. See TRR’s National Code of Conduct & Alcohol Policy.
Team River Runner Mission: To provide all veterans and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports!

Kayak Instructor Certification, ACA L2 course
2026-05-28 - 2026-05-30 | MO
(Save the dates! However, the other details below are from 2025’s class and need to be confirmed or updated).
Thursday am – Saturday pm, 3 full days, taught by Melissa Sauter & Tom Burroughs, sponsored by the Mississippi River Water Trails Association (MRWTA), https://mississippiriverwatertrail.org/event/aca-level-2-essentials-of-river-kayaking-instructor-certification-with-tom-burroughs/
Are you proficient with ACA Level Two River Kayaking Skills and now ready to learn how to teach these skills to others after a skills assessment? This 3-day course will review river kayaking skills then focus on requirements and assessment to be a skilled kayak instructor. Be prepared to get wet as portions of this course will take place on the calm backwaters of the Mississippi River and possibly in the current of the Meramec River.
Boats and equipment are available for use during this course.
This class is open to the general public, as well as partner agencies and clubs. Registration with ACA and SEIC is required before starting the course.
To register, please complete the following form:
https://forms.gle/grJAhTCvBVzBBKqr6
Please review this link for river kayaking Instructor Criteria.
https://americancanoe.org/…/L2_Essentials-of-River…
An assessment by a Level 2 ACA Kayak Instructor can be scheduled in advance of the event by contacting board@mississippiriverwatertrail.org.

This course prepares participants to be able to teach and model the paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills needed to teach river kayaking. L2 students say that their kayaking skills are elevated by the ability to demonstrate and instruct. Certification is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of Tom Burroughs, the instructor.
Course Prerequisites –Be “signed off” as being able to demonstrate the skills described in the ACA Level 2 Kayaking Skills Assessment; See L2_ERK_Assessment.pdf (americancanoe.org)
See Course Curriculum – ACA (americancanoe.org), “Essentials of River Kayaking” for the above Assessments, Instructor Criteria, and sample skills course content that successful L2 instructors will be prepared to teach.
Full refunds will be issued by the instructor in the event of course cancellation. If a student needs to cancel after registering, they are requested to find an eligible replacement and negotiate reimbursement with them.
Taught by Melissa Sauter &
Tom Burroughs, SwiftwaterRescue@gmail.com, 479-595-1655
ACA Safety and Rescue Committee Chair
ACA L-5 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator
ACA L-4 Whitewater Rafting Instructor Trainer
2015 ACA “Excellence in Instruction” National Award Recipient
ITRA Level 3V Swiftwater Rescue Instructor
NREMT/EMT-W/MPIC – Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Team Leader- Washington CO AR Search and Rescue team
Director, Ozark Safety and Rescue Educators / Clear Creek Paddlesports
Member- Wilderness Medical Society
Cost: $475 per person. Maximum 10.
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See MWA Training Reimbursement Policy for MWA members. MWA reimburses members for certain trainings after completion of an MWA volunteer commitment. You need to fill out a web-based reimbursement request after you volunteer. If you need a scholarship to participate in this course, please communicate with an MWA Board member. MWA is developing a scholarship policy.
For military service members or veterans, Team River Runner (TRR) has a grant that will enable them to reimburse you after the successful completion of this course. If interested, please contact Devin Gates, the StL TRR Chapter Coordinator, at stltrr@teamriverrunner.org or( 314) 904-6443 in advance of the course. The expectation is that you would use your new skills as a future volunteer with TRR.

TRR Central Region Rendezvous - WOKA
2026-06-11 17:00 - 2026-06-14 17:00 | MO
Save the date – June 11-14, 2026, Thursday evening to Sunday evening, TRR Central Region Chapters, Silom Springs & WOKA.
(Dates chosen to overlap with part of the Oklahoma City Golf Tournament benefitting TRR, so TRR National staff can paddle with us!)
We will camp and play at two paddle parks: Silom Springs & WOKA. There is something for every skill level, including instruction. Lots of Class I & II water.
Who:

Participation targeted to veterans from TRR’s Central Region chapters (Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas) and their +1 civilian guest.
Priority given to veterans and civilian volunteers who have paddled with or volunteered for TRR in the 6 months prior to this event, so come paddle with us!
Support boaters wanted, veterans & civilians.
Other paddling clubs, especially MWA members, welcome.

$50 deposit required, which will be returned to veterans and ACA instructors who attend.
Included: Camping fees, food, water park admission fees, use of TRR paddling gear, and breakfasts + dinners.
You are responsible for your own transportation to and from this event and bringing your own camping gear.
More details & registration forthcoming. Registration deadline will be May 1, 2026.
POC = Debbie Dean, TRR Central Region Coordinator, 405-249-9498, debbie.dean@teamriverrunner.org.
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Participants in TRR events need to electronically sign a 2026 National TRR Waiver. See TRR’s National Code of Conduct & Alcohol Policy.
Team River Runner Mission: To provide all veterans and their families an opportunity to find health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports!

Week of Rivers (WOR) Trip - NC Canoe Club 2026
2026-06-27 - 2026-07-04 | Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground, 755 East Alarka Rd, Bryson City, NC, 28713, United States
More info can be found: https://www.carolinacanoeclub.org/content/week-rivers/
You can come for as much or as little of the event as you choose. Opportunities to paddle class 1-4, with some instructional events.
If you want to discuss the event with an MWA local who has gone several times, contact Kathy Pszonka, 314-402-3038 <iamakayaknmom@hotmail.com>.
Willow Pratt Ellis is organizing the rental of a shared “bunk-house” style cabin, adjacent to the group campground of the event. Contact her if interested, (816) 372-2165 <jwillowellis@gmail.com>.

July General Meeting
2026-07-14 19:00 - 20:30 | MO

Annual MWA Members event – float trip, dinner, and annual meeting
2026-09-11 00:00 - 2026-09-13 23:59 | Akers Ferry group campground, 37° 22' 59.0160" N 91° 34' 9.9840" W, United States
Always the weekend after Labor Day. Our annual members’ picnic! Join us for camping, paddling and fun, Friday night to Sunday morning.

Location: Akers Ferry group campground, located 20 miles south of Salem, Missouri. Akers Groupsite Campground, Jadwin, MO 65501

From Salem, take Highway 19 south 4 miles. Turn right on KK-16 miles to Akers Group Campground. The campground is 1/2 mile north of Akers Ferry (junction of Highways K and KK). There are pit toilets and water available, however Note: no campers allowed at this group campsite. The campground is right by the river.

Schedule:

Friday night – set up your campsite and join us for a social gathering.

Saturday – enjoy a float trip and river conservation clean-up on the Upper Current River. Leave from Cedar Grove to Akers campground—estimated 3 hours. If you need to rent a canoe or kayak, try Akers Ferry® Canoe Rental (currentrivercanoe.com). Make your own arrangements (unless you are with TRR).

Saturday dinner, MWA will provide meat. Everyone should bring a side dish. Please indicate on FaceBook if you are coming (to inform the caterer).

After dinner, MWA annual meeting (includes welcoming newly voted officers).

If you haven’t already signed your annual MWA ACA waiver and intend to paddle with us, please sign the waiver.

Organizer: Kevin (Slim) Olson <slimbo12@hotmail.com>

November General Meeting
2026-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | MO
