MTI Adventurewear has partnered with the American Canoe Association (ACA) to provide inflatable belt pack life jackets to support the inaugural SUP Summit and their new Level 1 & 2 Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor Certification courses.
Stand Up Paddling is one of the fastest growing segments of paddlesports. According to a recent OIA study, over 1,000,000 people tried SUP in 2010, and those numbers continue to grow.
Matching a grant to the ACA from the US Coast Guard, the Fluid packs from MTI will be used for the on-water segments of the SUP Summit. “The ACA is uniquely positioned for effective out-reach to new paddlers and the paddling community through their network of instructors” said Lili Colby, owner of MTI. “Promoting safe boating is core to their instructional message. MTI believes that the best way to encourage life jacket use is through education from the retail showroom to the on-water classroom. We feel that the ACA instructor is a great role model and “SAFE SUP” evangelist.”
MTI has worked over the past 4 years to re-design the standard inflatable belt pack to be SUP specific.
Founded in 1880, the ACA is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation. The ACA has over 20,000 members, and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organizations. The ACA sponsors over 1,400 events each year, including 200 races. The ACA education program has an estimated outreach of 800,000 people a year. www.americancanoe.org