20 Years on the Water: NAC Celebrates A Father Forever

This past Saturday marked another special milestone at Newport Aquatic Center: 20 years of welcoming A Father Forever to the water for its annual Kayak Day.

For two decades, this partnership has brought fathers, children and families from the Los Angeles area to Newport Beach for a day built around something we believe strongly in at NAC — creating connection and opportunity through the water.

A Father Forever is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, motivating and inspiring fathers to be responsible, loving and present in their children’s lives. Through programs and experiences throughout the year, the organization creates opportunities for fathers and their children to spend meaningful time together and build lasting memories.

For many of the kids who participate in Kayak Day, their trip to Newport Beach is one of their first opportunities to get into a kayak and experience being on the water. Over the years, the program has introduced families to kayaking, swimming and other water activities while giving them a completely new way to spend the day together.

This year’s 20th anniversary brought all of that back to NAC.

Kids and families took to the Back Bay in kayaks and outrigger canoes, learned new skills, raced one another and, most importantly, simply had fun being on the water together.

A Partnership Built to Last

At the center of the partnership between A Father Forever and Newport Aquatic Center has been Olympic kayaker and longtime NAC member Cliff Meidl.

Cliff has served as the connection between the two organizations throughout the program’s history, helping bring A Father Forever families to NAC year after year and introducing generations of kids to paddling and the water.

Twenty years later, that connection continues.

The day has also been made possible by the people who continue to show up behind the scenes. A special thank you goes to Mirko, who once again took charge of the BBQ this year. Mirko has been a central part of Kayak Day and its success over the years, helping make the day just as memorable off the water as it is on it.

Programs like this are a reminder that NAC is more than a place to train, race or launch a boat. It’s a place where access to the water can create confidence, connection and memories that last long after everyone gets back to shore.

Recognizing 20 Years of Impact

This year’s anniversary was made even more special when Billy Whitford, Executive Director of NAC,

was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles and Council District Eight recognizing NAC’s two decades of partnership with A Father Forever. The certificate honors Billy’s leadership and NAC’s commitment to creating a safe, enriching environment where youth have the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience kayaking. It was a meaningful recognition of not only 20 years of partnership, but of the many people who have helped make this day possible year after year.

We’re proud to celebrate 20 years on the water with A Father Forever and grateful to Cliff, Mirko, the A Father Forever team, NAC volunteers and everyone who has helped keep this tradition going.

Here’s to 20 years of paddling, families and great memories — and many more days on the water ahead.

Stay Healthy. Paddle Safe.