Prepare Carefully Before You Embark: Essential Safety Guidelines for Paddling in Twin Ports Waters

Minneapolis, MN - As warmer weather arrives and paddlers gear up for outdoor adventures on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary, the Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) highlights the significance of safety for canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboarders. The organization encourages paddlers to visit PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org before embarking on their excursions.

PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org offers paddlers a wealth of data-driven information designed to help them navigate the challenges of the Duluth-Superior Harbor and surrounding waters safely. The site provides real-time weather and water conditions, photos, and information for 13 launch sites, float plans for sharing with family and friends, and guidance on staying clear of commercial ship traffic in the busy working harbor.

"Lake Superior and the St. Louis River are rich playgrounds for paddlers, but they can also be unpredictable," said Kelsey Prihoda, the Great Lakes Transport Extension Educator for MNSG. "PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org empowers paddlers to make informed decisions before they set sail on the water."

Signs at each of the 13 launch sites remind paddlers to wear life vests, maintain a safe distance from freighters and harbor docks, check the weather, and prepare for cold water temperatures. The website development was a collaborative effort involving MNSG, the US Coast Guard, Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council, local paddling outfitters, municipal partners, and community members.

This summer, MNSG will offer an undergraduate internship focused on water safety education at community events, marketing PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org, and collaborating with local partners to improve water safety communication for both residents and visitors.

By using PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org, paddlers not only ensure their safety but also leverage accessible, science-based resources provided by MNSG.

To learn more about water safety, visit PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org. For information about MNSG's undergraduate internship opportunities, visit MNSG Undergraduate Internships. For further information, contact Kelsey Prihoda ([email protected]) or Marie Thoms ([email protected]).

Minnesota Sea Grant is a program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to inspire the responsible stewardship of our marine resources through research, outreach, communication, education, and technology transfer.

"Undergraduate internships will be offered by Minnesota Sea Grant this summer, focusing on water safety education at community events and promoting PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org."
"The Duluth-Superior Harbor and surrounding waters are rich in recreational opportunities, but they can also be unpredictable, making safety a paramount concern for paddlers."
"PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org provides real-time weather and water conditions, float plans, information about launch sites, and guidance on water safety, including maintaining a safe distance from harbor docks and commercial ship traffic."
"Life jackets are essential for paddlers, and signs at each of the 13 launch sites remind paddlers to wear them, along with other safety precautions such as checking the weather and staying clear of freighters."
"By using PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org, paddlers can ensure their safety and access science-based resources provided by Minnesota Sea Grant."
"Recreational paddlers on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary are advised to visit PaddleSafeTwinPorts.org before embarking on their excursions for comprehensive data-driven information to navigate the waters safely."

Prepare Carefully Before You Embark: Essential Safety Guidelines for Paddling in Twin Ports Waters