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 2025 post-race report here!

  • The 2025 Paddle Weekend had 244 people enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi River. They paddled over 13,000 miles in six different events and came from 13 states, Belize and Canada! We expect the 2026 event to be even bigger.

  • Support the volunteers: In 2025, over 70 volunteers gave over 700 hours of time to make the experience safe and fun.

  • In 2025 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 probably or for sure coming back for the 2026 paddle weekend. 

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

  • Attract attention: Two Paddles’ Facebook page had over 150,000 likes in 2025 and is growing daily, with over 1300 people who have ‘liked’ the page. Two Paddles’ website had over 7,000 unique visitors in 2025. 

  • 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 2026 Sponsor!

Title Sponsor*

Your organization or business could be the exclusive Title Sponsor of the entire Minnesota Paddling Opener. Your name would be included in the name of the event. Contact Two Paddles to discuss if you are interested. Benefits include:

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

  2. We will agree on a certain number of social media posts promoting your organization.

  3. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

  4. Your organization listed as the Title Sponsor on the pinned post on our Facebook page.

  5. Your organization’s name/logo on the race t-shirt. This is the most prominent sponsor name/logo on the t-shirt.

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

  7. Choice of location for a booth to promote your organization at the Post Paddle Party at the finish line.

  8. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at the finish line.

  9. You can advertise that you are an TITLE SPONSOR 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. We will agree on a certain number of social media posts promoting your organization.

  3. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

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

  5. 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.

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

  7. Choice of location for a booth to promote your organization at the Post Paddle Party at the finish line.

  8. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at the finish line.

  9. The Presenting Sponsorship is non-exclusive.

  10. 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 featured on the Event Overview page for all Paddling Opener tours/races.

  2. We will agree on a certain number of social media posts promoting your organization.

  3. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

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

  5. Your organization’s will be announced as the custom sponsor at the start of every event.

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

  7. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at the Post Paddle Party at the finish line.

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

  9. 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. We will agree on a certain number of social media posts promoting your organization.

  3. Your logo on the inflatable archway.

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

  5. Your organization’s will be announced as the official event sponsor at the start of the event.

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

  7. Your logo on a banner/poster(s) at the Post Paddle Party at the finish line.

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

  9. 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. We will agree on a certain number of social media posts promoting your organization.

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

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

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

  6. Opportunity to have a booth to promote your organization at the Post Paddle Party at the finish line. Location preference granted based on the date of becoming a sponsor.

  7. 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.