Sponsored by the Minnesota Canoe Association
MR 5-mile Family Paddle Challenge Paddler’s Guide
The Paddler’s Guide is filled with information that is essential for every participant to know and is required for every participant to read (along with the rules).
Topics
Event Landmarks
Minnesota DNR Mississippi River map 9 covers the race route and show the following landmarks and more. Available at the following link: Mississippi River State Water Trail. The map can be downloaded as a GeoPDF and used for navigation (you will be able to see your location right on the map). Info on how GeoPDF maps work available here
A custom Google map has been made that makes it easy to drive to the start and the finish, available at this link: Family Challenge Google Map
Webscorer
More info coming soon
Boat selection
As long as the boat you choose will move down the river using only human power, you can use it in this race. That said, some boats are inherently easier to move and faster and more comfortable than others. Whatever boat you plan to use, the important thing is to have spent some time with it on a river to get a feel for whether you can steer it and keep it moving at a reasonable pace.
Champlin Parking
Free parking in the lots at Mississippi Crossings in Champlin.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency all racers should call 911 first and race officials second. If you have a support crew you should notify them after calling 911 and they can notify race officials. In the event you need non-emergency assistance and cannot get it from other racers, call race officials (unless you have a support crew, then call them first). All participants need to be prepared to self-rescue and/or hike to find assistance if needed.
Finish line & Closing Ceremony & Mississippi River Community Festival
Divisional trophies will be given to the top 3 finishers in each division. Overall winners will get an additional placard on their trophy.
All finishers will receive their finisher medal as they finish the race and, if they won a trophy, they will receive that as well. Everyone is invited to come to the Mississippi River Community Festival after the event; free food and live music start at noon. Everyone is also invited to the closing ceremony at 5:30pm. Everyone is welcome, including all paddlers, support crew, friends and family
Gear
The full list of required and recommended gear can be found in the rules. Here we expound on just a few of the items:
Required Gear
Boat numbers stickers: Find your event number on the roster. You must put your boat number on both sides of the bow of your boat, the stickers should be waterproof and reflective and the numbers should be at least 3” in height. Stickers sold and advertised as being for “mailboxes” or “addresses” often work well. Event organizers will have a limited number of numbered stickers for sale at the start of the event.
Minnesota DNR Mississippi River map 9 covers the event route and is available at the following link: Mississippi River State Water Trail
You can e-mail the DNR at info.dnr@state.mn.us and request paper maps be sent to you free of charge.
You can also access digital versions of these maps and save them on your device, or print them out at home. Digital versions are available as GeoPDF maps. These allow you to see your real-time location on the map on your device even when you aren’t connected to the internet. For more information on the DNR GeoPDF maps see: GeoPDF Maps
Cell Phone: All participants are required to carry a mobile phone and put the event organizer’s contact information into their phones. You will get the number at the pre-event meeting. Make sure you have a way to keep the phone charged and dry.
PFD’s: They must be “in serviceable condition”, meaning:
They are the appropriate size and fit for the intended user
They are legibly marked with a USCG approval number.
A PFD is NOT considered to be in serviceable condition if the PFD exhibits deteriorations that could diminish the performance of the PFD including:
Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or
Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.
Water: We recommend carrying enough water to last for the duration of the event. You do not want to run out of water!
Food: Having snacks and drinks in an easy to reach location can make a big difference. Start the race with your tank full and don’t let it get too low.
Recommended Gear
Sunblock/sunscreen: A bad sunburn has caused more than a few paddlers to quit paddle events early. Apply sunscreen early and often! Don’t forget that you can get burned from the sun’s reflection off the water. Use a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and/or long-sleeves and pant legs for full body coverage.
Support Crew
You can have a Support Crew (family/friends) that can meet you at the finish line, benefits to doing so include that they can:
Drive you and your boat to the start and meet you at the finish line
Cheer for you and boost your morale
Take pictures!
Communicate with event officials on your behalf if needed
A custom Google map has been created that shows the event start and end. Your support crew can use Google maps to get directions to these spots.
Google map link: Family Challenge Google Map.
Shuttle
You can choose to get yourself, your gear and your boat to the start line or sign up for the shuttle service when you register.
Here are the steps needed to follow when using the shuttle service:
You will need to drop your boat off at Mississippi West Regional Park in Ramsey between 11:15am and 11:45am
Drive to Mississippi Crossings in Champlin (about a 15 minute drive): make sure to leave by 11:45am
Find a parking spot, then board the shuttle. The shuttle at noon. Bus will leave at 12:15pm from the lot closest to the amphitheater.
Things to do before the race
Review the gear list; procure gear as needed
Come up with a support crew plan and/or transportation plan
Come up with a food and hydration plan
Train/practice, good to train on a river, cross-train, flatwater train.
Practice capsizing and self-rescue
Join our Facebook group: it’s a growing community of people interested in our races and a great place to ask questions and share ideas. Check it out at: facebook.com/twopaddlesMN
Weather/ Capsizing
In June in Minnesota temperatures range from 40 to over 90, with the average high in the 70’s. Both heat and cold are threats to cause someone not to finish the event so you need to be prepared for both.
In June the water temperatures can still be on the chilly side. Do not be fooled into thinking there is no way you will capsize–it is always a possibility and you must be ready. No matter how skilled you are it’s always possible to hit a rock in swift water and get quickly overturned. It is absolutely essential to have a change of clothes in a dry bag that you can put on once you get to shore. Remember it is required to wear your Personal Flotation Device at all times. Also, you should have a plan for how to make sure you don’t lose your gear in the event of a capsize.
In the event participants encounter severe weather, participants should take shelter as appropriate.
Event organizers will attempt to notify participants of severe weather threats, however each participant should monitor the weather independently and make good decisions for themselves.