Congratulations to Ken Braband, recipient of the 2026 Impact Award presented by NEWP, Inc. at its March 2026 Film Festival in Green Bay, WI.
The Impact Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding efforts to support NEWP’s activities and programs in fulfilling its mission of encouraging and advancing paddle sports education and safety. Ken’s leadership, instruction, and initiative have strengthened both the structure and spirit of our club.
Originally from Iowa, Ken’s paddling journey began with canoeing — and racing — on Iowa and Wisconsin rivers in the 1970s through the 1990s. After moving to Wisconsin, he and his wife Mary discovered sea kayaking through an introductory class at Rutabaga and participation in the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium. Their adventures soon expanded to sea kayak camping trips in the Apostle Islands, Pictured Rocks, the islands of Sleeping Bear Dunes and elsewhere.
In 2010, Ken became a certified sea kayak instructor through the American Canoe Association, and was later certified as a whitewater kayak instructor as well. Since joining NEWP in 2012 after moving to Green Bay, he has brought that instructional experience directly into the club. As a board member and active volunteer, he restarted the annual Rock Island kayak camping trip in 2017 and has led it every year since, continuing one of the club’s signature events. He also leads the club’s weekly Red River whitewater paddles and the annual student whitewater outing, helping paddlers build confidence and skill in moving water.
Ken has kickstarted and led numerous club initiatives, including creation of the club’s new logo, launch of our online apparel store, leadership of the annual film festival, and serving for several years as lead instructor for kayak classes at the Green Bay YMCA — with plans to relaunch those classes in 2027.
Beyond NEWP, Ken instructed for 13 years at the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium and now teaches at the new Door County Sea Kayak Gathering, continuing to support high-quality paddlesports education in the region. And for more than 14 years, he’s been a leader with Team River Runner, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to providing veterans and their families opportunities for health, healing, community, and challenge through adventure and adaptive paddlesports.
What Ken enjoys most is helping paddlers progress along whatever path they choose — whether that means venturing onto the open waters of the Great Lakes, running roaring whitewater rapids, or simply feeling confident and safe on a quiet lake up north. His inclusive, skill-focused approach reflects the heart of NEWP’s mission.
Through instruction, event leadership, board service, and long-standing volunteerism, Ken Braband has made a meaningful and lasting impact on NEWP and the broader paddling community. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition.
Ken is one of the most giving kayaking instructors I know! Great to paddle w him and he’s always giving back! Plus he taught me to roll! A recognition well deserved!
Congrats, Ken! Thank you for all your work!