Sea Kayaking for Science

The UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program is partnering with equipment and instruction for the Natural Resources Research Institute’s project “Identifying Drowning Hotspots in the St. Louis River Estuary,” the first study of its kind to reveal patterns in drowning incidents that seem to be on the rise. This is a chance for all paddlers to become science pioneers with a full view of majestic ships and wildlife. Citizen scientists will collect temperature data to contribute to a forecasting model that will predict unsafe swimming conditions and prevent future drownings in the St. Louis River Estuary.

Paddling dates include:

June 15, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the Duluth Harbor.
July 1, 1:30 – 5 p.m. in the Duluth Harbor.
July 14, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the Duluth Harbor.
July 20, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the Duluth Harbor.
August 12, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Chamber’s Grove.

Registration is due by 4 p.m. the day before scheduled outing.

The RSOP will provide all sea kayaking and safety equipment, cold water immersion wear, and instruction.
Participants will provide swim suit, towel, full water bottle, appropriate close-toed shoes or neoprene booties that will certainly get wet, sunglasses with strap, sun protection, and a change of dry clothes for after the course.

Excursions depart from the UMD Boat Shed located at 1421 St. Louis Avenue, Duluth out on Park Point. The cost for Duluth Harbor at 3.5 hours is $22 for UMD student members and $71 for non-student and community members. Chamber’s Grove at 4.5 hours is $30 for UMD student members and $100 for non-student and community members.