We’re A Group of Passionate Paddlers
What We Do
Founded in 2009, The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (NWIPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing paddle sports education, providing environmental stewardship of the region’s waterways, and promoting canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up-paddle boarding. NWIPA is a proud American Canoe Association Paddle American Club.
Provide Fun Paddlesport Opportunities
See old friends and make new friends! There are plenty of opportunities on the NWIPA calendar of events to go paddling with your fellow members. Over the past decade of our organization’s existence, we have put on hundreds of community paddling events that have introduced paddling to tens of thousands of adults and youth.
Make Paddling Education and Instruction Accessible
NWIPA has organized hundreds of canoeing and kayaking educational programs that help to provide instruction to thousands of new paddlers to learn necessary skills to paddle safely. These classes are perfect for beginners or those paddlers who have never had formal instruction. Even if you have been paddling for years, you will definitely learn some valuable skills if you have never before taken a paddling class.
Promote Paddlesport Knowledge and Safety
NWIPA is dedicated to ensuring all paddlers enjoy a safe paddling experience. We promote paddlesport best practices, including wearing Coast Guard approved life jackets, paddling with a group, and assessing the risk before each paddle adventure. Each waterway presents unique safety considerations. Let us help you determine what is appropriate to wear, pack, do and not do.
Providing Environmental Stewardship of Our Waterways
The Blueways Stewardship committee of the NWIPA has been established to identify waterways in need of attention for log jam removal, trash cleanup, or other work to make them more accessible to paddlers and the public. The committee’s task is to organize the resources and volunteers needed to make this happen. We have provide much needed ongoing stewardship opening hundreds of log jams and cleaning up thousands of pounds of garbage dumped into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, Deep River, and Trail Creek.
Expand Paddlesports to People of All Abilities and to the Underserved
Through our Blueways Stewardship committee and the support of sponsors and grants, we have helped Northwest Indiana’s waterways become a model of how accessible a region’s rivers and lakes can be with ADA-compliant launches at many access points. In fact, our efforts have led to the creation of more universally accessible ADA kayak launches than any place in the world in a given geographic area! In addition, NWIPA and our partners strive to make our events as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Create Strategic Alliances with Regional and National Partners
The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association (NWIPA) is a 100% volunteer 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that has accomplished some remarkable things since we began in 2009. We wouldn't be able to accomplish any of these things without building strong partnerships with remarkable organizations and individuals that we collaborate with.
Help Expand and Develop Water Trails and Public Access
Since our founding, we have helped in the development of over 300 miles of new water trails in Northwest Indiana, including spearheading the creation of the Lake Michigan National Water Trail and the Kankakee River National Water Trail. In addition, we have helped catalyze efforts between regional conservation organizations, which has lead to thousands of acres of natural areas preserved and permanently protected while provided public access along the East Brand of the Little Calumet River.
Continue to Make NW Indiana a Premier Destination for Paddling
We always knew Northwest Indiana was special, especially with the endless outdoor recreational opportunities and unique ecology due to our proximity to the Indiana Dunes, our 61st national park! It’s our mission to protect and share this treasured area with the world, especially when it comes to anything paddle related. That’s why we have partnered with wonderful tourism and marketing organizations such as Indiana Dunes Tourism to get the word out via news, magazine publications, and advertising outlets.