Event Recap: Beginner Paddling + Water Safety
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Beginner Paddling + Water Safety event on Tuesday, July 25th at Boy Scout Landing in Duluth. We learned about the importance of cold water safety, how to properly fit and wear a life jacket, and basic paddle strokes and canoe terminology, surrounded by community in a safe and fun atmosphere!
The event was hosted by the St. Louis River Alliance with the help and support of many partners. We want to give a special thank you to all of the people who made this event so successful; Bobbie Larson with Ski Hut for sharing her expertise and being an incredible presenter; Phil Kramer with Team River Runner for recruiting volunteers and supporting the event; UMD Recreation and Sports Outdoors Program for providing gear and wonderful staff who helped make the event safe for all, Charlie with Spirit Lake Marina for providing additional gear; KY Interpreting Services for providing amazing ASL interpretative services; Barb Huberty with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for sharing information on the Area of Concern projects; Minnesota Sea Grant for the paddle safety handouts and vessel reflectors; and to our St. Louis River Alliance staff for the immense amount of planning and coordination to make this event welcoming and safe.
This event was 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 including but not limited to privatization of land, industrialization, and pollution. Priority was given to those living in the 18 neighborhoods and communities adjacent to the St. Louis River.
We were so happy to welcome new and returning faces to the water. This event was the first of sixteen events that the St. Louis River Alliance will be hosted in the next four years to help connect people to the river and learn about the Area of Concern remediation and restoration work that has made the river cleaner.
Future Events
Keep your eyes open for future events; the St. Louis River Alliance will be hosting a Beginner Birding Event September 26th and an Exploring Wild Foods & Mushroom Event on October 5th. We will share updates on our Facebook, Instagram, Website, and email newsletter. Tell your friends!
