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. The Crow River 17 takes place on Saturday, June 13th. The Mississippi River 5, 12, 20 and 43 take place on Sunday, June 14th, 2026. The MR 145 starts on Friday, June 12th. All events can be paddled solo, tandem or as part of a team. All self-powered boats are welcome. All events will end at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka, MN. At the finish line on Sunday afternoon join us for the Post Paddle Party; it’s open to everyone and free! Watch boats finish, listen to live music, visit river-related organizations and paddling vendors, and hang out in the beautiful park. 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 and the CR 17 races provide for competitive, scenic races of different lengths. Each race also has a recreational tour 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.

3) The Minnesota High School Paddle Challenge is for young people in grades 9-12 and is 12 miles long.

4) The MR 145 is an epic, ultra-endurance race from Brainerd to Anoka. Paddlers have 50 hours, starting at 3pm on Friday, June 12th. 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.

All participants get a free bottle of Dorothy Molter’s “Isle of the Pines” Root Beer at the Finish Line, courtesy of the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely, MN.

Watch a recorded zoom info session about all of the events except for the MR 145 here; watch one about the MR 145 here.