June 13-15, 2025
Tours, Relays and Races from 5-145 miles
Mark your calendar for the Minnesota Paddling Opener June 13th-15th, 2025!
Registration will open sometime later this year (Fall/Winter of 2024)
Watch a segment on the TV show “Minnesota Bound” about the Paddling Opener.
Join us to open the Summer paddling season at the Minnesota Paddling Opener! Paddling on the Mississippi is a sublime activity, and the Opener has various tours, races and relays for everyone from beginners to ultra-endurance athletes. All events take place on June 15th, 2025 except as noted and can be paddled solo, tandem or as part of a team. All self-powered boats are welcome. All events will end at Mississippi Point Park in Champlin. At the finish line on Sunday afternoon join us for the Minnesota Paddling Opener Expo; it’s open to everyone and free! Watch boats finish, visit river-related organizations, and check out rides and food at the Father Hennepin Festival next door. There are rental canoes and kayaks available for the 5 mile “Root Beer Float”; for all other events contact our friends at Clearwaters Outfitting to rent a boat. They’ll even pick it up at the finish line!
Which event is right for you?
1) The 5-mile “Root Beer Float” on the Mississippi River is an easy, fun way to experience paddling on the big river and only costs $10 per person! It’s great for families, high school kids, and anyone new to paddling or new to the Mississippi.
2) The MR 12, 20 and 43 races provide for competitive, scenic races of different lengths. Each race also has a non-competitive “Root Beer Float” division, and the MR 20 and 43 have a relay option for teams of paddlers to take turns to paddling three or four relay legs.
5) The MR 145 is an epic, ultra-endurance race from Brainerd to Champlin. Paddlers have 50 hours, starting at 3pm on Friday June 13th. There is also a 135 mile recreational tour option and the MR 145 Relay for teams of paddlers to take turns paddling five relay legs.
Read the Event Overview for each event for more details, and checkout the Paddler's Guides and Rules for each event. Email us with any questions and/or join our e-mail list by contacting us at info@twopaddles.org
Click on a logo above for more information on each event, and check out the map at the bottom of this page.
Watch a recorded zoom info session about all of the events except for the MR 145 here; watch one about the MR 145 here.
The Minnesota Canoe Association the pre-eminent paddling organization in Minnesota, organizing various paddle events throughout the year. They were our “Community Growth Sponsor” in 2024. Become a member of the MCA and learn more by clicking here: MCA
