BUILDING COMPETITIVE NORDIC WALKING IN NORTH AMERICA
NWANA is the continental governing and sanctioning body for competitive Nordic Walking in North America.
Our current priority is to build the human foundation of the sport through education, instructor development, and local community growth.
We operate as a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. Our role is to develop the sport system, train instructors, coaches, judges, leaders, and staff, support community formation, and prepare the ground for athlete licensing, sanctioned events, official results, and long-term continental growth.
WHY WE START WITH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES
Nordic Walking is still underdeveloped in the United States and across much of North America. The most common question people ask after seeing media coverage is simple: where is a group near me?
That is why NWANA is not starting with mass competition alone. We are first building the people and structures that make real sport growth possible: instructors, coaches, judges, community leaders, staff, and local groups.
This is not a step away from sport. It is the practical path to creating athletes, clubs, competitions, and a sustainable competitive system across North America.
THE FUTURE OF THE SPORT STARTS LOCALLY
NWANA is building competitive Nordic Walking in a logical sequence: education first, community growth second, and larger competition systems as the next stage.
This short overview presents how Academy training, local communities, and long-term sport governance fit together in one North American pathway.
- Training instructors, coaches, judges, leaders, and staff
- Creating local communities where people can join nearby
- Preparing the foundation for athletes, clubs, events, and rankings
THE ACADEMY IS THE FIRST ENGINE OF GROWTH
Through Academy NWANA, we are preparing the people who will build the sport locally, regionally, and continentally.
INSTRUCTORS
Learn how to teach Nordic Walking safely and correctly in local communities.
COACHES
Develop athletes and help create a real competitive pathway over time.
JUDGES
Support fair standards, event quality, and the integrity of future competitions.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Organize and grow local groups that can become future clubs and sport centers.
STAFF
Support administration, coordination, communications, and long-term operations.
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
The stronger the local leadership, the stronger the future athlete base becomes.
WADA
Support clean sport, athlete responsibility, and international anti-doping standards.
Learn MoreSAFE SPORT
Promote athlete welfare, safe participation, and responsible community leadership.
Learn MoreBUILDING COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA
NWANA is developing a territorial community structure designed to grow Nordic Walking from the local level upward.
The long-term model follows a clear pathway: country, state or province, county, city, and local community group.
These communities create the place where people can begin, stay involved, train regularly, and grow into different roles within the sport system.
ATHLETES
People who start locally and grow into long-term participation and competition.
INSTRUCTORS
Local teachers who make Nordic Walking accessible in everyday community life.
COACHES
Leaders who help athletes progress from participation to performance.
JUDGES
Officials who help preserve standards and support the future event system.
LEADERS
Organizers who help establish and sustain communities in each territory.
STAFF AND ORGANIZERS
Operational support that helps communities, clubs, and events function professionally.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers help activate events, local initiatives, and community operations as the system grows.
Join as VolunteerPARTNERS & SPONSORS
Strategic partners and sponsors help communities grow with stronger local and continental support.
Learn MoreToday, many of these communities are still being formed. The goal now is to train leaders and begin building them territory by territory.
HOW THE SPORT SYSTEM GROWS
NWANA is building the sport in a logical sequence.
1. EDUCATION
Train instructors, coaches, judges, leaders, and staff.
2. COMMUNITIES
Create local groups where people can join near where they live.
3. ATHLETES
Develop regular participation and long-term athlete pathways.
4. CLUBS
Strengthen local structures into sustainable organizations.
5. COMPETITION
Launch more events with trained people, athletes, and regional support.
6. LICENSING AND RANKINGS
Scale official licensing, sanctioned competitions, results, and rankings.
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
Support athletes, teams, and representation in international Nordic Walking development and competition.
Team NW USAPATHWAY TO OLYMPIC RECOGNITION
Build standards, participation, governance, and international visibility that support the long-term case for Nordic Walking as a future Olympic sport.
Learn MoreThis is how a real sport ecosystem is built: not only from rules, but from people, places, and daily activity.
JOIN THE NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH
GOVERNANCE, INTEGRITY, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
NWANA operates as a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. We are committed to transparent governance, public benefit, and the responsible development of competitive Nordic Walking in North America.
Our role is to guide the sport with integrity while building the educational, community, and structural base needed for long-term success.