presented by Friends of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River Challenge is fast approaching — July 24th & 25th!
Online registration for the 2010 Mississippi River Challenge is open and we encourage you to register soon! Be sure to register by July 1st when the registration fee increases. Remember, boat rentals are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis, so register NOW if you want to be guaranteed a boat. There are still plenty of sea kayaks and spots in the big Voyageur canoe available and these are both great options!
Become a fan of the Mississippi River Challenge on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the most up-to-date information on the event.
This website has been updated with information for the 2010 event and we will continue to update information as planning for the event continues. We look forward to seeing you on the Mighty Mississippi with us in July!
If you have already registered for the Mississippi River Challenge or are looking for extra logistical information before making the commitment, be sure to check out our Check-In & Event Details sheet. This has detailed information about Friday night/Saturday morning check-in, shuttling, parking, safety, sagging, pledges, et cetera. Make sure you read this document carefully (even if you have done the event in past years), as well as the other documents listed on the Paddler Packet page of this website. Also, check out the FAQ section for the answers to any lingering questions that you may have. Of course, you should always feel free to email or call Kristin at or 651-222-2193 x19 for any additional clarification.
As the 2010 Mississippi River Challenge draws closer, it is time to make sure that your pledge-raising strategy is in order. The Mississippi River Challenge is more than just a fun event – the whole point of the event is to raise money and awareness for improving the Twin Cities stretch of this great river, while getting people out on there experiencing this stretch. Pledge proceeds go to Saint Paul based non-profit Friends of the Mississippi River. For more information about the organization check out Friends of the Mississippi River section of this website or visit FMR.org.
All paddlers over 18 years old must raise a minimum of $250 before participating in the Mississippi River Challenge ($50 for those 16-18). Get creative as you work to raise pledges this year! Check out our Fundraising Tips page or browse other people’s paddler pages for some pledge-raising ideas. Don’t forget: once you’ve raise $300, you become eligible for Premiums and for every $500 you raise you will be entered into a drawing for a Wenonah canoe or a Current Designs kayak!
The more you raise, the more you AND the river win!
Friends of the Mississippi River is seeking qualified individuals or paddling duos to serve as safety captains for the 2010 Mississippi River Challenge. Safety captains offer on-the-water safety support to paddlers and are integral to the success of this event. Because of the high volume of paddlers registered, we are looking for a handful of skilled paddlers to take on this important role — and there are some great incentives for doing so!
The skills that we look for in safety captains are as follows:If you meet these requirements, we ask that you seriously consider becoming a safety captain for this event. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to meet other paddlers!
Additional qualities that make for a great safety captain (but are not required) include:As a safety captain, you will be provided with a radio to communicate with other safety captains, as well as on-land staff. Friends of the Mississippi River works with the Coast Guard and local water patrols to provide emergency rescues and medical care in the case of serious injury. Your skills and training will make the event safer for other paddlers and will provide the support and reassurance needed for everyone to have a fun and relaxed experience.
If you are interested in becoming a safety captain for the 2010 Mississippi River Challenge or if you want more information about incentives and expectations, please contact Safety Captain Coordinator, Rich Wahls, at . We could really use your help!Friends of the Mississippi River is thrilled to report that the 6th annual Mississippi River Challenge was a success! The weekend-long event on July 25th and 26th brought more than four hundred participants together to celebrate the river by paddling its waters.
Paddlers had a great time enjoying the natural scenery of the Mississippi River first-hand, and also played a critical role in helping Friends of the Mississippi River continue to do great work in river protection. Thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers, four hundred paddlers, and generous sponsors, FMR was able to raise over $100,000 that will go towards river protection, restoration, and conservation right here in the Twin Cities community.
Friends of the Mississippi River would like to thank all of those who contributed to the success of the Mississippi River Challenge, including our generous sponsors, volunteers, and participants. We look forward to seeing you on the river next year!