Training Dates
An important part of PPA’s mission is to encourage and enable safety on the water. A trained kayaker is a safer kayaker. A trained kayaker also has more fun on the water.! PPA has organized two training opportunities this Spring:
Sunday, June 1, 2025, Manteno Lake. American Canoe Association (ACA)-certified trainer John Chase will lead this workshop in all aspects of kayaking on flatwater. You must bring your own equipment. $40. ages 18 and up; $30. age 18 and under.
Registration will begin March 1, 2025
Sunday, June 22, 9 am-11 am, Splash Valley Water Park, Kankakee with instructor Amy Nehls. Organized in cooperation with Kankakee Valley Park District. Basic kayaking in the pool at the Water Park. Kayaks provided.
Potawatomi Paddlers Association
Potawatomi Paddlers Association (PPA) is a 501-c-3 formed in 2017 to assure continued care and improvements that foster safe and enjoyable paddle sports (canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling) and camping along the Kankakee River national water trail.
The Kankakee River National Water Trail, in Illinois, flows from the Indiana border to the rivers confluence with the Des Plaines River to form the Illinois River.In Indiana, the Kankakee River, also part of the Water Trail, flows from its source near South Bend to the Illinois state line.
In 2016, the Kankakee River was added by the US National Park Service to the list of twenty-one other water trails across the nation. All water trails are unspoiled, natural, and accessible waterways, ideal for paddle sports recreation. You can learn more about the Kankakee River water trail at kankakeeriverwatertrail.org.
2023 Meetings and Events
Meetings
Board meetings are 7:00 pm, on the second Thursday of the month, February through November. Locations variable. Check our Facebook page for next meeting.
Events
Time: August 12 & 13, 9 am to 4 pm
Location:
Momence IL
Paddle for $10 from Kankakee Bird Park to Warner Bridge to benefit Scouts
Thank you to our 2020 Kayak Raffle Sponsors!
Help and Support The PPA Mission
Please consider joining and supporting us with our projects and programs.
Membership fees are tax-deductible.
$20.00 Annually
Make a one-time, monthly or annual donation to Potawatomi Paddlers Association.
We are continuously accepting donations for general operations, projects, and efforts to improve the Kankakee Water Trail.
Contributions can also be made to:
Potawatomi Paddlers
Association, P. O. Box 503,
Kankakee, IL 60901.
Day-long kayak training coming to Manteno Lake, Manteno, Illinois, on Sunday, May 7, 9 am to 4 pm.
This advanced paddling course will include all aspects of flatwater paddling, including
wet exits and recovery. Participants must provide their own kayaks (any style), paddle,
PFD and lunch. As instruction includes wet exists, prepare to get wet!
Fee for course is $35 for participants age 19 and over; $25 for ages 18 and younger. To register, go to the SHOP pages on this site. Payment made there through Paypal or by mailing to”
PPA, Box 503, Kankakee, IL 60901.
Watch our Facebook page for updates.
This training is supported in part by a grant from the Mike & Marge Cline Memorial Grant program of the American Canoe Association
