SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Scott Szczepaniak
US Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety & ACA Instructor Trainer
**NEW PFD labels, CHANGING PFD regulations, and guidance for instructors teaching PFDs **

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about USCG regulations for PFDs, the ongoing transition to new labeling, the changing USCG PFD standards that are coming soon, and guidance for how paddling instructors/leaders should adapt their teaching to incorporate these elements.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

Wednesday, JANUARY 7 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jeff Atkins from Wavepaddler
**How to use GAMES to enhance entry level paddlesports instruction**

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about paddling instructors can use games as a fun way to cover skills training topics and make it a more enjoyable learning experience for everyone.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to John MacDonald from Play Harder Adventures
**NEW ACA Trip Leader/Guide Program**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the NEW program ACA is launching to train and certify trip leaders and guides on a separate path than the way we train and certify instructors. We’ll focus on opportunities that will be most interesting to folks serving entry level paddlers.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jason Eccles
Paddlesports Trade Coalition Founding Board member, PTC Best Practices Committee member, and President at Aqua Bound/Bending Branches
**The PTC Paddlesports Industry Ecosystem: Calling all Paddlesports Businesses!**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the ways the Paddlesports Trade Coalition is working to bring together Brands, Sales Reps, Retailers/Outfitters, and Community Organizations to work collaboratively to build a sustainable paddlesports marketplace for the future. Learn how you and your organization can get involved.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Susan Stocker, Iowa Boating Law Administrator
**Partnering with State Officials on Paddlesports Education**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about opportunities to partner with officials in your state to work together on safe boating outreach and education.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Geoff Luckett
Founder, Tennessee Kayak Anglers; Chair, ACA Paddlesports Fishing Committee
**ACA Paddlesports Fishing Program**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about ACA’s new Paddlesports Fishing program and how you can help bring these classes to a paddling venue near you!
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Chad Hoover, founder of Kayak Bass Fishing & KFAST
**No Wear/No Share Pledge and Online Safety Training for Kayak Anglers**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the No Wear/No Share pledge to encourage paddling leaders/paddling communities to only post photos of paddlers wearing PFDs and the recent launch of NEW online training modules for kayak anglers to learn safety.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jeff Atkins from Wavepaddler
**Opportunities to use ACA’s Smart Start Curriculum with new paddlers**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about opportunities for ACA instructors and other paddling leaders to use the Smart Start curriculum as a foundation with new paddlers.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Scott Szczepaniak, USCG
**Cold Water Paddling**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about  cold water paddling and the ways we plan to stack the deck in our favor!
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jeff Moag, Water Sports Foundation
**WSF Resources for Water Safety Outreach and Education**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about free resources the Water Sports Foundation makes available for purposes of water safety education.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jim Coffey from Espirit Whitewater
**Sneak Peak: World Drowning Prevention Day – July 25, 2026**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about World Drowning Prevention Day and some innovative efforts from the swiftwater rescue community to make a difference community by community all over the world!
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Kelly Davis, Director of Research at The Outdoor Industry Association & The Outdoor Foundation
**Changing Participation and Purchasing Patterns in Outdoor Recreation**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about Kelly’s most recent research into the ways our outdoor recreation customer base is changing and how we need to change our messaging to keep them coming back!
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Lili Colby from Mustang Survival
**When is it appropriate for paddlers to wear an inflatable PFD? **

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about how the ways we utilize inflatable PFDs in paddlesports is evolving as the products evolve. Learn more about specific PFDs that are suited to specific environments and the pros and cons of opting for an inflatable PFD.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Lesford Duncan from Outdoor Foundation
**Diversity in Paddlesports and Thrive Outside**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the growing diversity in paddlesports, data from the Outdoor Foundation highlighting the opportunities we have to welcome these new paddlers/customers to our businesses, and grassroots programs like Thrive Outside that are helping us to bridge the gap.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Simone Adams, Founder/Executive Director, Color My Outdoors
**Resources to Connect Diverse Communities to Outdoor Recreation**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the work of Color My Outdoors across the southeast in all aspects of outdoor recreation and the tools and resources they have developed to help sponsors connect in a more impactful way with these communities.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Risa Shimoda, Executive Director at River Management Society
**RMS Water Trails Working Group and River Management Roundtables**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the work River Management Society is doing to convene grassroots leaders working on water trails across the country. This forum provides an opportunity for these professionals to share challenges, exchange ideas, and build practical solutions with peers across the country.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Patrick Higgins
Alaska Pacific University; Chair, ACA Packrafting Committee
**ACA’s NEW Packrafting Program**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about ACA’s NEW opportunity to take Packrafting skills courses or to get certified as a Packrafting instructor.
Want to hear more about this topic? Tell us in the comments on socials!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jeff Little from Blue Ridge Kayak Fishing
**Fostering Community Knowledge to Reduce Kayak Angler Fatalities**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about recent trends in Kayak Fishing fatalities and changing community norms. We will discuss some of the key skills and messages you and your organization can promote to save kayak fishermen in your community.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Deborah Kane from RallyCrew
**RallyCrew: the online eddy for whitewater paddlers**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about RallyCrew’s online community and tools for the whitewater paddling community.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Kosette Seibert, Office of Boating Safety, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
**NASBLA National Paddlesports Committee Honors – Call for Nominations**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators 202 call for nominations for the National Paddlesports Committee Honors.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Drew Gregory from Kayak Adventure Series
**How KAS is supporting scholarships for ACA Kayak Fishing Instructor Certification**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about how the Kayak Adventure Series is building on Community as a focal point but also supporting skills training and instructor scholarships along the way.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jim Coffey, Espirit Whitewater/Safety & Rescue Instructor Alliance
**Updates on World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25, 2026

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about your opportunity to be part of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. On World Drowning Prevention Day, ACA-certified instructors around the globe will lead free drowning prevention clinics — with the bold goal of educating 1,000 people in a single day.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Jeff Atkins from Wavepaddler
**Understanding Opportunities with ACA Trip Leader Certifications**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about ways to leverage the new ACA Trip Leader Certifications program for your business or community organization. Understand the differences in a Community Paddlesports Leader designation, the Paddlesports Leader designation, and the Advanced Paddlesports Leader designation.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 at 7 pm Eastern Time

Andrea talks to Roland McDevitt, US Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Safety Division
**US Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlesports Program**

Tune in LIVE on FACEBOOK, SUBSTACK, or YOUTUBE

This will be a quick LIVE conversation (~15 minutes) to talk about the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Safety Division and upcoming spring training for nationwide AUXPAD leaders as well as state officials.