G IVE KAYAKING A TRY

Paddle Festival Encourages Local Lake Adventures

BY MARK NICKLAWSKE

Katie Bressler wanted to test kayaks for her dog Rebel. “I have a busy work schedule so I want an activity where my dog can come with me,” she said. “He’s my running buddy. He does well on paddle boards and in canoes so I think he would be fine in a kayak.”

Bressler, who is currently working through a medical residency in Duluth, figured her 60-pound “mutt” could balance on the front of the kayak while she paddled through adventures on lakes and rivers of the northland.

Surrounded by brightly colored red, yellow and blue kayaks of various shapes and sizes, she picked up a paddle, stepped into a boat and glided out a short distance into Duluth Harbor. Dozens of other people were doing the same thing.

The test voyages went well. There was only one thing missing.

“I might actually have to go home and get (Rebel),” she said.

Approximately 50 kayak-curious water enthusiasts attended the inaugural Twin Ports Paddle Festival at the Park

Point Recreation Area boat launch Aug.19. The four-hour event was organized by the Northland Paddlers Alliance to promote kayaking and raise water recreation awareness at the Head of the Lakes

“The idea is just to have a chance for people to come down and try out boats, get together with fellow paddlers and find out what people are doing,” said Northland Paddlers Alliance Vice President Shawna Anderson. “Just have a nice day on the water.”

The nonprofit Northland Paddlers Alliance was formed in 2015 to support a variety of human-powered water sports like whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. The group develops educational and youth programs, reaches out to underrepresented communities, leads regular group paddles and adopts waterfront public access areas.

“We’re really about promoting access to the water for everybody,” Anderson said. “It’s literally just trying to be a voice for the paddle community.”

The organization has worked with the St. Louis River

Alliance, Western Waterfront Trail development and the parks departments in both Duluth and Superior. It also works closely with community youth organizations like Neighborhood Youth Services, Center City and Valley Youth Center.

“We’re coordinating with a lot of the community groups that wouldn’t as often get out,” said Northland Paddlers Alliance Secretary Alaina Pilate. “We just try to reach out.”

Organizers launched the Twin Ports Paddle Festival with money left over from the discontinued Two Harbors Kayak Festival. The Duluth Experience, Swiftwater Adventures, Skihut, North Shore SUP and Daytripper all provided equipment and expertise.

The kayak demonstration is the only event of its kind all summer in the Twin Ports area.

Anderson said one visitor confessed to a fear of boats but wanted to try a kayak. The $10 admission provided access to dozens of different kayak styles, brands and sizes, a lifejacket and advice from experts both on the shore and in the water.

“I’ve seen her out there,” Anderson said. “She’s tried at least three different boats. It’s been awesome. She was smiling. That, for me, is what this is all about.”

Mark Seefeldt of Carleton, Minn., was another new kayaker, but his first voyage didn’t go as planned: “I went swimming,” he said.

Seefeldt tipped his kayak and watched his glasses sink to the bottom of the harbor. His next two kayak runs were better, and his wife, also a first-timer, had no problems.

“I think you gotta get used to it, that’s for sure.” he said. “It’s all part of the experience.”

Greg and Jenny Peterson, both longtime members of the Duluth Rowing Club, attended the festival because they would like to buy a kayak. Jenny Peterson said the couple has rented kayaks on vacation and they have always enjoyed the experience.

“I like that it’s a silent sport. I like the fact that you’re on the water, close to the water,” she said. “It’s just that water does something for my soul.”

The inlets and bays of the St. Louis River estuary are ripe for exploring, Jenny Peterson said.

“We’re so fortunate to live in Duluth and have all these water opportunities,” she said. “I love that we can experience the water rather than just looking at it.”

Anderson and Pilate said the Twin Ports Paddlers Alliance is set up to help both water sport newcomers and veterans.

Anderson, a Michigan native, is new to Duluth and first used the group for finding new float places. “I’m new to river paddling, so it was really great for me to have a group that was willing to show me where to go and show me the ins and outs,” she said.

Pilate, a first-grade teacher, was introduced to paddling as a college student 20 years ago and now leads whitewater adventures all over the country and in Canada.

“You can go to such amazing places,” she said. “We live in such a unique resource. For people to not have ever experienced being on water, you just see a different perspective.”

“What I love about kayaking is that you’re in control. It’s you and nature,” Anderson said. “You’re working with Mother Nature to have a great afternoon on the water.”

Mark Nicklawske is a Duluth freelance writer.