Update 6/12/26:

  1. ALL participants must sign the online waiver

  2. A quick reminder that the Root Beer Float is a launch window event, not a race. Participants may launch anytime between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. 

    Based on previous years, we expect the busiest check-in and launch period to be between 11:45 AM and 12:15 PM. If you'd like to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a quicker check-in experience, consider arriving and launching a little later in the window.

    Our staff will be conducting check-in and safety briefings throughout the launch window, so there's no disadvantage to launching at 12:20, 12:30, or even closer to 1:00 PM.

  3. There is no rain in the forecast and temperatures should be in the 60’s to low 70’s. Beautiful! Water levels are currently in the “medium” range which should make for great paddling. 

  4. As stated in our registration, if you signed up after May 21st, you will not get a t-shirt. We will, however, have some alternative t-shirts available for $5 each. Also if you edited your registration after May 21st and changed the t-shirt size for anyone (for example if you replaced someone), please know we had already ordered the original size and you won’t get the new size t-shirt. 

  5. If you take any pictures during the event, if you are willing to share them with us, upload them to our Google Photos folder

  6. Whooo-hoooo!!! It’s going to be great! See you soon!

New update on 6/3/26:

New map that shows parking options for the Post Paddle Party Sunday afternoon.

The party is at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka. Take Hwy 169 and turn east on S. Ferry Road just north of the Mississippi River (by Lot 2 in the picture at left).

For those catching the shuttle, you will meet the shuttle at 3:50pm in Lot #1.

For spectators, paddlers, etc. who are driving to the Post Paddle Party on Sunday afternoon, you can park in Lot #1. If that fills, then park in Lot #2. If that fills, park in the free public parking ramp. Feel free to drop people off before driving to park in Lot #2 or the ramp.

If your boat is at the finish line and you need to pick it up, the boat pick up area will be on the Rum River side of Lot #1.

Be sure to read previous important updates below.

New update on 5/23/26:

We will be accepting food items (non-expired, non-perishable), new and gently used clothing (clean, damage free and in-season) and/or monetary donations for the Anoka County Brotherhood Council Food Shelf.

Join us for the Post Paddle Party noon-5pm on Sunday June 14th—….behold our new map! (Be sure to read previous important updates below)

Updates as of 5/13/26:

Text or call the Race Hotline at anytime with questions (also for emergencies during the Root Beer Float)

612.548.1628

We recommend all participants save this number in their phone

Hello 5-mile “Root Beer Float” Participants,

Thanks for signing up for the 5-mile Root Beer Float!

This update includes everything you need to know—please read it carefully.

Remember:

If you are bringing your own boat, bring it to Mississippi West Regional Park in Ramsey, between 11:15 and 12:15pm on Sunday, June 14th, 2026.  

If you are renting a boat, the boat will be at Mississippi West Regional Park ready for you to launch. 

Paddlers can launch no earlier than noon and no later than 1pm. 

Please check in with a guide from Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours before you launch for a brief safety talk. 

The float takes between 75 minutes and 2 hours. 

If you are taking the free shuttle, board it at the finish line at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka, by 3:50pm. It will leave at 4pm. If you are doing your own shuttle and you are parking at the finish line, please see parking information at the bottom of this page.

Quick Checklist

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, Great River Energy, and all our amazing partners who make this event possible.

Volunteer!

We need volunteers for the MR 145 Friday night, Saturday, and for all the races at the Champlin finish line.  Email us: info@twopaddles.org.

Post-Paddle Party at Finish Line

This year’s celebration is right at the finish line in Peninsula Point Park in Anoka—live music by Lindula Brothers, sponsor booths, cheering for finishers and a wood-fire pizza food truck/bus

Questions?

Email us at info@twopaddles.org

See you on the water!
 Scott Miller & Todd Foster
Race Directors