American Packrafting Association
My work with APA
Friends took me packrafting on Campbell Creek after I came back to Alaska. I pretty much spent the rest of that summer going back. Three or four times a week.
Now I teach packrafting and serve on the American Packrafting Association's board of directors. I wouldn't have pictured any of this on that first trip. haha. A lot of people helped me get here, and I want more people to have somewhere to start.
What we do
So, what is APA?
The American Packrafting Association is a nonprofit for people who packraft, or want to. We help people find each other and learn to paddle safely. We also work on protecting the rivers and public lands that make these trips possible.
More about APAPeople to paddle with
I went to the Payette RoundUp through my work with RallyCrew and left with people I actually wanted to plan another trip with. About 150 packrafters camped along the river. We paddled, sat in the hot springs and got to know each other.
APA organizes RoundUps and is building a volunteer ambassador network to help more paddlers connect closer to home.
Explore APA gatheringsSomewhere to learn
I had friends who invited me along and instructors who took the time to teach me. I know how much that helped.
APA's education work includes Be WaterWise, a free packrafting safety video series, along with opportunities to build skills and learn from other paddlers at gatherings.
Watch Be WaterWiseLooking after the places we go
I care about what happens to a river I've spent days on. I remember the people I was with and what we did there.
APA works with organizations including American Whitewater and American Rivers on conservation issues that affect packrafters, and helps our members speak up for rivers and public lands.
See APA's access & conservation workMaking it easier to join in
Getting to an event can be expensive. Through the Support a Paddler Fund, APA provided three RoundUp scholarships in 2026.
We're also working on more ways to get together locally, so being part of the community doesn't always mean traveling to a big annual event.
RoundUp & Support a Paddler detailsWhat we're working on for 2027
Alongside RoundUp, APA is planning smaller MeetUps with more time for hands-on learning. EddyOut gatherings will bring people together off the water, closer to where they live, for things like trip-report nights and gear-repair clinics.
Follow updates from APAWhy I'm involved
Being part of the community.
A lot of people helped me get into packrafting. They invited me along and took the time to teach me. Eventually, I started teaching too. Joining the APA board felt like another way I could contribute to a community that's become a huge part of my life.
I want to share that part of paddling here too. There's work that goes into getting people together and keeping the places we paddle protected. I'm learning how to take more of that on, and I hope seeing me get involved makes it feel a little more possible for someone else.
Being openly queer while doing this matters to me. I want people to see that there's room for us in the conversations about where this sport goes. And if someone finds APA through me and decides to volunteer or help organize something in their own community... I'd be really happy about that.
Diversity, equity & inclusion
DEI subcommittee
Coming soonMore about this soon. I'll add updates here as the subcommittee gets going.
Support the work
Want to help?
If you've found people you love paddling with, or had someone help you get started, you probably know why I care about this. A donation helps APA keep putting on gatherings and making safety resources available, and supports our work on river access and conservation.
The button takes you to APA's donation page. Your donation goes directly to APA and supports its work across the organization.