About NWANA
The Nordic Walking Association of North America (NWANA) is the continental governing and sanctioning body for competitive Nordic Walking across North America.
NWANA operates as a U.S. nonprofit public charity recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to develop Nordic Walking with integrity, professional standards, public benefit, and a long-term continental vision across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the wider North American region.
NWANA connects education, professional development, licensing, local NW Groups, competition rules, organized competitions, official results, sanctioning, and sport development within one growing system.
The NWANA Open Nordic Walking Series already provides scheduled competition opportunities, published results, and standings. At the same time, NWANA continues developing the people, local organizations, technical capacity, and event infrastructure needed to expand in-person stadium, road, cross-country, and relay competitions across North America.
Who This Hub Is For
This hub is for Nordic Walkers, athletes, instructors, coaches, judges, technical officials, group leaders, clubs, schools, colleges, universities, municipalities, race organizers, timing companies, healthcare and wellness organizations, employers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Whether you want to learn Nordic Walking, participate in competitions, obtain an appropriate license, pursue a professional pathway, join or establish an NW Group, organize an activity, support a fund, sponsor a program, or work with NWANA, this hub will direct you to the appropriate pathway.
Who We Are
NWANA exists to lead and coordinate the development of competitive Nordic Walking across North America as a structured sport system.
Our leadership is built on real sporting experience. The President and most members of the Board have earned medals at World Championships, continental championships, national championships, and other major competitions in Nordic Walking and additional sports.
NWANA brings together professional-level Nordic Walking athletes based in North America, experienced sport leaders, educators, organizers, and people committed to building the sport responsibly.
Education, community development, licensing, and competition are no longer merely future stages. They are active and connected parts of the NWANA system. Each part will continue to grow as more participants, professionals, NW Groups, organizers, and partners become involved.
President
OUR BOARD
What We Do
GOVERNANCE
Develop rules, standards, policies, integrity protections, and long-term direction for Nordic Walking across North America.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Provide progressive education and qualification pathways for Nordic Walking instructors, coaches, competition judges, Race Directors, technical officials, leaders, and other professionals through NWANA Academy.
LICENSING
Operate licensing pathways for athletes, professionals, individual NW Group participants, and eligible organizations within their respective NWANA systems.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Help people join existing NW Groups or begin establishing new groups for communities, sports organizations, workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, municipalities, and other eligible settings.
COMPETITIONS AND RESULTS
Develop and operate Nordic Walking competitions, publish official results and standings, maintain competition rules, and expand opportunities for athletes to participate.
SPORT SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Continue building the people, organizations, events, technical standards, sanctioning capacity, and ranking structures required for a sustainable continental sport system.
Why Education Remains Essential
Nordic Walking remains underdeveloped in many parts of North America. Many people are interested in learning, participating, or competing but still do not have access to a qualified professional or an established local group.
Education is therefore not a preliminary project that ends when competitions begin. It is a permanent part of the sport system.
By preparing instructors, coaches, judges, Race Directors, technical officials, group leaders, and staff, NWANA supports safer participation, stronger technique, more consistent competition standards, and the continued development of athletes and local organizations.
How the NWANA System Works
1. LEARN AND DEVELOP
Begin with Nordic Walking education and continue through the appropriate participant or professional pathway.
2. CONNECT LOCALLY
Join an existing NW Group or help establish a new group in your community or organization.
3. OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE LICENSE
Select the license that corresponds to your role, activity, organization, or level of professional responsibility.
4. PARTICIPATE AND COMPETE
Take part in NWANA activities, challenges, competitions, and other published opportunities.
5. LEAD, ORGANIZE, OR SUPPORT
Continue developing as a professional, establish an NW Group, organize activities or competitions, volunteer, partner with NWANA, sponsor a program, or support a designated fund.
Not every person follows exactly the same pathway. NWANA provides different entry points while maintaining clear standards for each role and area of responsibility.
Our Role in the Sport
NWANA does not exist only to regulate competition. Its role is to connect governance, education, licensing, community development, athlete participation, competitions, official results, and long-term sport growth within one continental system.
Competitions may be organized directly by NWANA or delivered by eligible independent organizers operating under applicable NWANA rules, technical requirements, recognition, or sanctioning.
NWANA’s broader responsibility is to help build the complete sport ecosystem around those competitions—including trained professionals, local NW Groups, qualified officials, organizers, safety standards, results, rankings, and development opportunities.
Public Benefit and Integrity
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, NWANA is committed to transparency, public benefit, fair access, participant safety, and responsible sport development.
We believe Nordic Walking can grow into a strong and respected competitive sport across North America when its development is supported by real education, technical knowledge, community access, fair competition, clear standards, and accountable leadership.
