Post Race Report 2024:

The 3rd annual Mississippi River Paddle Weekend (MRPW), with Title Sponsorship provided by 1Mississippi.org, took place from June 7-9, 2024. 

Paddlers chose from three different options. They could do a recreational tour, a competitive race or a relay.

Paddlers chose to paddle in one of five different events, each named after the number of miles they would paddle. The five events were the Mississippi River 150 (i.e. the MR 150), the MR 48, the MR 25, the MR 10 and the MR 5-Mile Family Challenge, Open Tour, .and the High School Challenge.  

2024 Statistics and Facts:

• 237 People paddled, an increase of 18.5% over 2023. 

• Paddlers came from 17 states/provinces.

• 74% of the paddlers were from Minnesota

• The most popular event was the Mississippi River 150 race, with 67 participants

• The MR 25 had 61 people, the MR 48 had 47 people, the MR 5 events had 33 people and the MR 10 had 29 people. 

• 24 people paddled as part of a relay team, 34 as part of a recreational tour and 179 paddled in a competitive division. 

• Paddlers paddled a variety of self-powered boats including kayaks, canoes, surf skis, Stand Up Paddleboards, custom boats, outrigger canoes and rowing shells. 

• Paddlers paddled solo, in tandem teams, in teams of 3 or 4 and in relay teams up to six people. 

• The oldest person to paddle was 81 and the youngest was 6. 

• Over 70 volunteers gave over 700 hours to make the experience fun and safe. (text continues below pic of MR 150 paddler)

Sponsors:

Two Paddles Canoe and Kayak races were pleased to have the following sponsors, without whom the weekend would not have been possible, and appreciate their dedication to the Mississippi River and the paddling community:

• It was a great honor to have 1Mississippi.org as our Title Sponsor for the Paddle Weekend. Many of our participants signed up to be “River Citizens” with 1Mississippi so they can stay informed of actions and events to protect, care for and enjoy the Mississippi. 

• The Minnesota Canoe Association served as our Community Growth Sponsor and the Sponsor of the 5 mile Family Paddle Challenge and the High School Paddle Challenge. Their support helped us to buy a trailer to house our growing amount of race infrastructure and supplies. 

• The City of Champlin served as our Finish Line sponsor. Having the finish line at Mississippi Point Park for the first time was a great success. Many participants were able to enjoy the midway rides at the adjacent Father Hennepin Festival as well. 

• Paddle Dynamics served as the title sponsor for the Mississippi River 150. 

• Minnesota’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership served as our Outdoor Recreation Sponsor. 

• Paddle Bridge Guide Collective served as the Safety Sponsor, administered the 5 mile events and provided safety kayakers over the last 5 miles of the course. 

• Chase Bliss Audio served as our Live Entertainment sponsor; Lehto & Wright performed beautiful music at the riverside performance venue at Mississippi Crossings.

• Mama Drone served as a Major Sponsor and took hundreds of beautiful pictures as well as some drone footage. 

• Additional sponsors include: 

• Red Leaf Designs

• Mississippi Park Connection

• Liquid Death

• Wilderness Inquiry

• Urban Boat Builders

• Friends of the Mississippi River

  (text continues below picture of volunteers beneath the finish line archway)