New Program

Loppet Paddling

Paddling Programs for Ages 9 and above

Why canoeing? Canoeing is a uniquely Minnesotan past-time with long-standing  traditions, embarking to the Boundary Waters, playing around or fishing out of your local watering hole, adventuring down one of the many regional rivers. It can be a way to explore nature from a completely different perspective, and in Minnesota, where is a better place to spend your time than on the water? But canoeing is also an incredible endurance sport, and has a deep well of knowledge and community here in Minnesota. 

Competitive canoeing is a full-body exercise, though focally on the upper body, which makes a great balance for all those runners/hikers/bikers out there and great cross-training for cross country skiing. It is also a low-impact sport that people can enjoy well late into life. Competitive canoeing is highly technical and tactical, but also something people can make noticeable improvements in right away with some key changes to the traditional Boundary Waters stroke. With partners and other boats, there is quite a bit of communication and cooperative skill play and using other boats strategically.

Family Program

Participants will learn water safety and fundamental paddling skills, using cooperative activities and games. We will learn about equipment, body position and stroke technique, communication with your partner, and ways to steer the boat with more ease and confidence. Enjoy time on the water or get ready for a trip, this will be a fun bonding experience for you and your young person. Equipment is included!

  • Ages 9-13 and an adult 18+ 
  • 2x/week for 4 weeks : Mondays/Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:30 pm (8 total practices), or 9:30 – 11 AM
  • 2 sessions: June 10 – July 10 (no July 3); July 15 – August 7 
  • Capacity for: 10 (5 pairs) participants per program
  • Location: Cedar Lake (Brownie Lake/Lake of the Isles)
  • Cost: $270/pair (1 youth and 1 adult)

Junior Program

Are you getting ready to go to the Boundary Waters, or looking for a sport that’s a little off the beaten path? Well, this one is on the water and therefore the best! Learn to steer with confidence, and make the boat fly through the water. Through activities and games, we’ll teach you how to navigate the water with ease and joy. You’ll be the first to the portage, and you can spend your summer out on the lakes. This canoe program will instill a love of the sport, and introduce canoe racing though fun, local, low-key competitions in addition to introducing other types of paddlesports. Equipment is included!

The Loppet Paddling Juniors program is part of the Northstar Paddle League (NPL), a collaboration between the Loppet, Rice Creek Boat Club, and Twin Cities Paddlesports. Each organization will host an event throughout the summer, which is included in the program cost.

  • Ages 14-18
  • 8 weeks 
  • Wednesdays & Fridays, June 12 – August 7 (no July 4)
  • 1 session: June 14 – July 26 (skip 7/4) 
  • Event dates: Mornings – July 13 (Long Lake in New Brighton), July 27 (Lake Phalen in St. Paul), August 10 (Cedar Lake in Minneapolis)
  • Capacity for: 10 participants per program
  • Location: Cedar Lake (Brownie Lake/Lake of the Isles)
  • Cost: $300

Adult Canoeing

Learn efficient and confident canoeing! Get ready for a trip, feel ready to jump into the stern, or explore the city from a new perspective. Participants will learn about the equipment, water safety basics, body position and stroke technique, different types of strokes, communication and working with your partner as well as other boats, steering with confidence and greater ease, how to adjust your stroke to different types of water and how to manage starts and larger waves. We’ll incorporate technique drills and instruction as well as a workout into each practice. And best yet, we’ll enjoy the beautiful summer evenings on the lake in good company. Equipment is included!

  • Ages 18+
  • 2 sessions: June 11 – July 12 (no practice July 5), July 16 – August 9 (8 practices each)
  • Tuesdays & Fridays 4:30 – 6 pm
  • Capacity for: 10 participants per program
  • Location: Cedar Lakes (Brownie & Lake of the Isles)
  • Cost: $160

Adult Canoe Racing

Canoe racing is your next best thing. Are you someone who enjoys friendly competition, and endurance athletics? This is an excellent workout that incorporates full-body movement, strategy, technique and partner collaboration, and is SO MUCH FUN! 

In this intro to racing class, participants will learn about the equipment, water safety basics, body position and stroke technique, different types of strokes, communication and working with your partner as well as other boats, steering with confidence and greater ease, wake riding, buoy turns, how to adjust your stroke to different types of water and how to manage starts and larger waves. We’ll incorporate technique drills and instruction as well as a workout into each practice. Equipment is included!

  • Ages 18+
  • 2 sessions: June 11 – July 12 (no July 5), July 16 – August 9 (8 practices each)
  • Tuesdays/Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
  • Includes two race experiences the last two Thursdays of the program
  • Capacity for: 10 participants per program
  • Location: Cedar Lake (Brownie, Lake of the Isles)
  • Cost: $160

SUP Technique & Fitness

Stand Up Paddleboarding is a great sport that incorporates balance, strength, technique and is a part-time jumping platform (if you want!) Its movement is also a very strong comparison to double poling in cross country skiing, if spending time on the lake sounds better than roller skiing on the pavement. 

In this class, we will learn fundamental technique skills to move your board efficiently and steer effectively. We will use SUPing as an activity to gain strength and fitness through drills and workouts. And if you want to end your day with a swim after class, that is yours to choose! This is a Bring Your Own Boat, paddle and PFD situation.

  • Ages 18+
  • 2 sessions: June 10 – July 10 (no July 3), July 15 – August 7 (8 practices each)
  • Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
  • Capacity for: 12 participants per program
  • Location: Cedar Lake (Brownie, Lake of the Isles)
  • Cost: $160

Registration opens March 1 at 9:00am

Register Now!

The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 4 weeks before the program starts.  Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program.

If you have any questions, please contact rykken@loppet.org.

A Note About the Data We Collect