Reasons to be a Sponsor:

  • You can help hundreds of people of all ages learn to appreciate the joy of paddling, and the beauty of the Mississippi River.

  • Read our 2024 post-race report here!

  • The 2024 Paddle Weekend had over 240 people enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River. They paddled over 13,000 miles in six different events and came from 18 states and Canada. Be a part of the 2025 event which we expect to be even bigger!

  • Support the volunteers: In 2024, over 90 volunteers gave over 700 hours of time to make the experience safe and fun.

  • In 2024 over 500 people come to the finish line to enjoy various paddling related businesses and river-related non-profits.

  • Support our growth: Almost 100% of surveyed participants said they were either probably or for sure coming back for the 2025 paddle weekend. 

  • Support new paddlers: Over 40% of participants had never paddled on the Mississippi River before. 

  • Attract attention: Two Paddles’ Facebook page has a reach of over 75,000 in 2024 and is growing daily, with over 1100 people who have ‘liked’ the page. Two Paddles’ website had over 8,800 unique visitors in 2024. 

  • Be part of event media: The event has been featured on the TV show Minnesota Bound, the magazine Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, the Minnesota Star Tribune and the Brainerd Dispatch.

  • See all the benefits listed under each sponsorship level below.

Become a 2025 Sponsor!

Title Sponsor*

Your organization or business could be the exclusive presenting sponsor of the entire Minnesota Paddling Opener. For example, if your name is Acme, the event would be listed as “The Minnesota Paddling Opener presented by Acme”. Contact Two Paddles to discuss if you are interested. Benefits include:

  1. Your organization’s name/logo on every page of our website.

  2. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

  3. Your organization listed as the Presenting Sponsor on the pinned post on our Facebook page.

  4. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt as the Presenting Sponsor. This is the most prominent sponsor name/logo on the t-shirt.

  5. Your organization referred to as the Presenting Sponsor during each pre-race meeting along with a custom message about your organization.

  6. Choice of location for a booth to promote your organization at the Minnesota Paddling Opener Expo at the finish line.

  7. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at Paddling Expo at the finish line.

  8. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.

Presenting Sponsor*

Your organization or business could be the presenting sponsor of the entire Minnesota Paddling Opener. Contact Two Paddles to discuss if you are interested. Benefits include:

  1. Your organization’s name/logo on every page of our website.

  2. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

  3. Your organization will be listed as a Presenting Sponsor on the pinned post on our Facebook page.

  4. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt as a Presenting sponsor. This is the 2nd most prominent sponsor name/logo on the t-shirt.

  5. Your organization referred to as a Presenting Sponsor during each pre-race meeting along with a custom message about your organization.

  6. Choice of location for a booth to promote your organization at the Minnesota Paddling Opener Expo at the finish line.

  7. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at Paddling Expo at the finish line.

  8. The Presenting Sponsorship is non-exclusive.

  9. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.

Custom Sponsor–$1500

    Your organization or business could be a custom sponsor of the Minnesota Paddling Opener. Examples include “Official Community Growth Sponsor”, “Official Entertainment Sponsor”, etc. Benefits include::

  1. Your organization’s name/logo prominently featured on the Event Overview, Rules and Paddler’s Guide pages for the event that you are sponsoring and on the sponsorship page.

  2. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

  3. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt. 

  4. Your organization’s spoken of as the official event sponsor at the start of the event.

  5. Your organization featured in a post on our Facebook page.

  6. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at Paddling Expo at the finish line.

  7. Opportunity to have a booth to promote your organization at the Paddling Expo at the finish line. Location preference granted based on the date of becoming a sponsor.

  8. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.

Event Sponsor–$1000

    Your organization or business could be the exclusive sponsor of one of the five events (the MR 145, 43, 20, 12, 5-mile “Root Beer Float”) that comprise the Minnesota Paddling Opener. Benefits include::

  1. Your organization’s name/logo prominently featured on the Event Overview, Rules and Paddler’s Guide pages for the event that you are sponsoring and on the sponsorship page.

  2. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

  3. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt. 

  4. Your organization’s spoken of as the official event sponsor at the start of the event.

  5. Your organization featured in a post on our Facebook page.

  6. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at Paddling Expo at the finish line.

  7. Opportunity to have a booth to promote your organization at the Paddling Expo at the finish line. Location preference granted based on the date of becoming a sponsor.

  8. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.

Major Sponsor–$500

Your organization or business could be a major sponsor of the Minnesota Paddling Opener. Benefits include:

  1. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt. 

  2. Your organization’s name/logo listed on the sponsorship section of the website. 

  3. Your organization featured in a post on our Facebook page. 

  4. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at Paddling Expo at the finish line.

  5. Opportunity to have a booth to promote your organization at the Paddling Expo at the finish line. Location preference granted based on the date of becoming a sponsor.

  6. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.

Supporting Sponsor-$250

Your non-profit or small business could be a supporting sponsor of the Mississippi River Paddle Weekend.

Benefits include:

  1. Your organization featured in a post on our Facebook page. 

  2. Opportunity to have a booth to promote your organization at the Paddling Expo at the finish line. Location preference granted based on the date of becoming a sponsor.

  3. You can advertise that you are an OFFICIAL PARTNER of the MINNESOTA PADDLING OPENER.