Paddle Ambassador Award Program
The Paddle Ambassador Award recognizes individuals whose outreach and leadership efforts expand the sport of paddling in Wisconsin. Serving as an “ambassador” for the sport, their efforts result in more people spending more time on the water and improving their paddling skills each year. Their efforts may also introduce paddling sports to people who haven’t paddled in the past, resulting in growth of the paddle community.
Recipients of the Paddle Ambassador Award do not need to be members of NEWP or ACA.
To nominate an individual for this award, please complete the online nomination form and submit it to the Awards Committee for consideration.
Past Paddle Ambassador Award Recipients
John Browning, 2026
Originally from Richmond, Indiana, the long-time Milwaukee resident’s path has included service in the U.S. Navy, a wide-ranging professional career, and a lifelong commitment to outdoor education and safety. John began paddling in 1990 while helping operate an outdoor retail shop and quickly became immersed in sea kayaking and instruction. Since then, he has played a central role in developing paddling skills and leadership across Wisconsin and beyond.
A highly respected trainer and mentor through the American Canoe Association, John has taught thousands of paddlers and certified more than 300 instructors. He has volunteered extensively with symposiums, adaptive paddling programs, and Team River Runner, helping introduce people of all backgrounds and abilities to safe, rewarding time on the water.
Dave Benton, 2024
A native of Monroe, Iowa, Dave is a graduate of Iowa State University. He started paddling way back in 1965 at Scout Camp, and he’s been a whitewater kayaking instructor for 23 years, a whitewater canoe instructor for 20 years, and an ACA whitewater kayaking instructor-trainer for 17 years. During those years he has been an instructor and mentor to more than five-thousand kayaking students – kids and adults.
After retiring from 45 years in engineering with General Electric, Dave served for the past few years as Vice President of Programming with Boy Scouts of America, and is now moving into a new position with the Scouts as Trek Director.
Dave and his wife of 50 years, Debbie, have two sons, Keith and Chad, who are both carrying on the family tradition as kayak instructors. And Dave says his five-year-old granddaughter Elta will be in the next generation of paddlers.
When asked what he enjoys most teaching paddling, Dave replied, “Showing new boaters what paddling is about, and sharing the fun with everyone I paddle with.” He added, “If you know how many boats you have, you don’t have enough.”
Bill Merrick, 2022
- Started paddling canoes in the 1960s
- Served as Boundary Waters Canoe Area guide
- Began whitewater and coastal kayaking in the 1980s
- Avid paddler and instructor for NEWP classes and Door County Sea Kayak Symposium for over 30 years
- Frequent NEWP Club Trip leader
- ACA Whitewater Kayaking Level 4 and Coastal Kayaking Level 3 Instructor