About NWANA
NWANA is the continental governing and sanctioning body for competitive Nordic Walking in North America.
Our mission is to build the sport with integrity, structure, and long-term vision across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the wider North American region.
NWANA operates as a U.S. public charity recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(3). We work to develop the sport system through governance, education, community formation, and the long-term pathway to licensing, sanctioned events, official results, and rankings.
In this stage of development, our priority is to train instructors, coaches, judges, leaders, and staff while helping local communities begin to grow. This is the foundation needed to build athletes, clubs, and sustainable competitions in the future.
Who We Are
NWANA exists to guide the development of competitive Nordic Walking across North America as a recognized and 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, and national championships in Nordic Walking and other sports.
NWANA brings together the professional-level Nordic Walking athletes currently based in North America, including leaders with deep competitive backgrounds and prior high-level experience in other sports.
We are building this system in a practical sequence. First, we develop people and local structures through education and community growth. Then we expand athlete participation, clubs, competitions, licensing, sanctioning, and rankings on a stronger foundation.
This approach reflects the real stage of the sport in North America today. Before large-scale competition can grow, people need trained leaders, local access, and a place to begin near where they live.
What We Do
GOVERNANCE
Provide structure, standards, integrity, and long-term direction for the sport.
EDUCATION
Train instructors, coaches, judges, leaders, and staff through Academy NWANA.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Support the formation of local groups and future clubs across territories.
SPORT SYSTEM GROWTH
Prepare the pathway to athlete licensing, sanctioned events, official results, and rankings.
Why Education Comes First
Nordic Walking is still underdeveloped in much of North America. The first question many people ask is not about rankings or licensing. It is: where can I find a group near me?
That is why NWANA is currently focused on education and leadership development. By training instructors, coaches, judges, community leaders, and staff, we create the people who can build local activity and support future athlete development.
This is not separate from competition. It is the step that makes competition sustainable and real.
How The Pathway Works
1. EDUCATION
Train the people who will lead, teach, judge, and organize.
2. COMMUNITIES
Create local places where people can begin and stay involved.
3. ATHLETES AND CLUBS
Grow participation and strengthen local structures over time.
4. COMPETITION SYSTEM
Expand licensing, sanctioned events, results, and rankings on a real foundation.
Our Role In The Sport
NWANA does not exist only to regulate competition. We exist to help create the conditions that allow competitive Nordic Walking to grow responsibly across North America.
That means combining governance with education, community formation, standards, and long-term development.
Competitions may be delivered by independent organizers under NWANA standards and sanctioning, but the broader responsibility of NWANA is to help build the full sport ecosystem around them.
Public Benefit And Integrity
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, NWANA is committed to transparency, public benefit, fair access, and responsible sport development.
We believe Nordic Walking can grow into a strong and respected competitive sport in North America, but only if that growth is built on real education, safe participation, community access, and clear standards.