If you’re looking for a challenging place to paddle your kayak or canoe, then you need to check out the Mississippi River Challenge in Minnesota.

The Mississippi River Challenge is a 44-mile, 2-day paddling event on Saturday & Sunday, July 24^th & 25^th, 2010.

According to their website:

This event is run by the Friends of the Mississippi River. All funds raised goes toward protecting and conserving the Mississippi River in and around the Twin Cities.

Each paddler is required to raise a minimum of $250 in pledges to participate in this event. ($50 pledge for 16-18 year olds and no minimum pledge amount for 15 and under)

You can paddle one or two days. Each day the paddle is 22 miles.

 Paddle your kayak or canoe.

Paddle solo or with a partner.

There will be overnight camping available at the Historic Fort Snelling.

Paddle through three locks.

This paddling event is from the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in the North Metro to Grey Cloud Island, South of St Paul.

Paddlers of all skill and experience levels have paddled this challenge. Most paddlers set their own speed.

To find out more information on this paddling challenge or to find other paddling events, races, festivals, paddlefests, or triathlons  all over the U.S. Click here to go to our kayak, canoe races and paddling events page.

Looking for places to paddle, kayak or canoe in your State?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak, canoe for flatwater or whitewater. Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

Somewhere it is warm…and that somewhere is Florida! So pack up your kayak, canoe, outrigger, surfski and / or paddleboard and head south next weekend for the:

Kai Aniani Canoe Club Presents

2010 Florida West Coast Championships

February 27th & 28th

Clearwater Community Sailing Center

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, Feb. 27th, 2 p.m. — Surfski/OC1/Kayak/Paddleboard: Downwind, Paddleboard, and Recreational Courses to be Offered

Saturday, Feb 27th, 6 p.m. — Championship Luau: Open to all Competitors. Will be held at Clearwater Community Sailing Center.

Sunday, Feb 28, 10 a.m. — 6-Man Outrigger Canoe Races: 12-mile Iron and 3-mile Novice Courses to be Offered. Men, Women, and Mixed Iron Races Start at 10 a.m. Novice Race at 9 a.m. Awards Lunch 1 p.m.

Race Fees:

Saturday only: $10 per paddler

Sunday only: $25 per paddler

Saturday and Sunday: $30 per paddler

Race Fees include races, prizes, luau and/or lunch, and give-aways!

For more information and to find out how to register, please click here to go to our Races and Event page.

To find other places to paddle, kayak and canoe all over the USA, go to our Places to Paddle page and click on any state, or check out nationwide kayak, canoe and paddle events and races on our Paddling Events and Races page.

If you would like us to post your favorite place to paddle, kayak or canoe or your favorite paddling event or race, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.