Join the St. Louis River Alliance on Tuesday, July 25th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a hands-on, free Beginner Paddling & Water Safety event hosted at Boy Scout Public Landing (11 Commonwealth Ave, Duluth, MN). All gear will be provided including life jackets, canoes, and paddles. No prior paddle experience necessary.
This event is made possible through the Great Lake Restoration Initiative and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and is intended to reconnect those who have been historically cut off from the river due to various reasons. Therefore, priority is given to those living in one of the 18 neighborhoods adjacent to the St. Louis River including: Carlton/Thomson, Cloquet/Scanlon, Cody, Denfeld, Fairmont, Fond du Lac Reservation, Fond du Lac Neighborhood, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Smithville, and Spirit Valley.
***If you are not residing in one of these neighborhoods, you can still register but will be added to a waitlist and notified by July 24th if space is available. There will be a charge of $10.00 per person for persons not residing in one of the 16 neighborhoods listed above.
Space is limited and registration is necessary. Register by July 19 at 4 p.m.
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/MpSjs8GJ4WwWvBKr9
During this event attendees will learn the importance of how to properly fit and wear a life jacket, cold water safety and basic paddle stroke skills. This will not be a guided paddle, however attendees will have the opportunity to explore parts of the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail if they feel comfortable. Open to attendees 6 years or older; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. If any weather advisories are present, we will postpone the event for Tuesday, August 1st, same time and location.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the various Area of Concern Projects that have helped clean-up and restore this portion of the St. Louis River, allowing us a safe environment to recreate.
Accessibility Information:
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
This event is designed with access in mind, but if you have accommodation requests or considerations, please email outreach@stlouisriver.org or call 218-733-9520 at least 10 days before the event.
Boy Scout Landing has a paved landing and a small beach accessible by a short path made of compacted soil with a brief but significant slope, where we will be loading into canoes.
Two portable restrooms will be available, one of which is wheelchair accessible.
If you need help with transportation/getting to the event, please email outreach@stlouisriver.org and we will help coordinate a rideshare or assist in scheduling transportation.
Registration is necessary and due by July 19 at 4 p.m. If online registration is not accessible to you, please call 218-733-9520. If we are unavailable, leave a message stating your name, age, phone number, and any accessibility considerations. We will call you back to confirm registration and answer any questions you may have.