Paddle Antrim Awards over $3,900 in Grants for the Chain of Lakes Region

Paddle Antrim announced it will award over $3900 to four projects that will help benefit Northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes region through education, water resources protection, and increasing access to the water. The four awardees are: Antrim County Emergency Management – To assist with water rescue training for all fire departments, Antrim County Emergency Management will purchase an adult CPR water rescue manikin ($925). Grass River Natural Area, Inc. –… Read More »


Paddle Antrim Announces Mini-Grants Available for the Chain of Lakes Watershed

Paddle Antrim announced today that applications to request funding through their new Ripple Effect Mini-Grant Program are now available.  Paddle Antrim is a nonprofit organization who uses paddle sports to educate the public about our precious water resources. This grant program focuses on helping protect the Chain of Lakes watershed through on the ground stewardship, education, and access improvements to the water trail. “Collaboration and giving back to our communities… Read More »


Because of Water – Elk Rapids Rotary Park

There’s a lot of great things that are happening in Northern Michigan related to water and one group is helping to tell a little of the story. A dedicated group of individuals from Elk Rapids including the Rotary, Parks and Recreation Commission, Historical Society and local businesses are making history come to life by explaining the history of the area’s relationship with the waterways.  When headed south on  US-31 through… Read More »


Paddle Antrim Lowers Registration

Paddle Antrim announced they are lowing registration rates for their two-day non-competitive paddle event through Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes Water Trail on September 18th and 19th, recently named one of the top three water trails in Michigan. “One of our goals is to have as many people as we can experience our amazing Chain of Lakes in a non-impactful way and build a personal connection with our precious resource,”… Read More »


Paddle Antrim Ready to Kick Off First Festival

Paddle Antrim is quickly gaining recognition for bringing awareness to the amazing treasures of Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes and the wonderful communities along the water trail.  This non-profit organization is hosting the first Paddle Antrim Festival September 18 & 19, 2015.  The event is highlighted by a two-day kayak paddle through Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes and five communities. The two day paddle includes most of the Upper Chain… Read More »


Paddle Antrim Raffling off Kayak & Paddle Board

Win yourself a new kayak or paddle board!  We teamed up with Bellaire Rotary for a Kayak Raffle to raise money for our communities and precious waters here in Northern Michigan. Prizes: 1st- 12′ Daggar Axis kayak with paddle and car accessories 2nd – 10′ Pelican paddle board and paddle 3rd – $250 cash 4th-10th – $50 We want to especially thank Backcountry North of Traverse City & Alden Marine &… Read More »


Paddle Antrim Offers Intro Kayaking Classes

Ever wanted to learn to kayak?  Maybe you have been out a few times in a kayak but want to feel more comfortable out on the water? Paddle Antrim is offering half-day Introduction to Kayaking classes on August 16th, 17th, and 18th throughout Antrim County.  Participants will learn the basics to get them out on the water and off to the right start.  The class will go over the equipment,… Read More »


Elk Rapids – A Paddle Antrim Festival Community

Embraced by East Grand Traverse Bay to the west, Elk Lake to the east and Bass Lake to the north, Elk Rapids is one of the most charming of all the harbor towns in Northwest Lower Michigan. Comprised of one square mile, everything is within walking distance: public beaches, unique dining, quaint shops and an abundance of access points for boaters navigating the waters of Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay… Read More »


Paddling Bellaire to Elk Rapids – Day 2

June 1, 2015 – Today’s the day we were paddling from Bellaire to Elk Rapids, Day 2 of the Paddle Antrim Festival kayak event and I could not wait.  After paddling Day 1 two weeks earlier, I was eager to take on the new challenge of 27 miles, longer than I have ever paddled in the past.  The crew included Paddle Antrim president/COO of Short’s Brewing Company Matt Drake, other… Read More »


Paddling Ellsworth to Bellaire – Day 1

May 16, 2015 – As a kayaker who has spent the last five years doing short paddles with my two awesome future paddlers (ages 3 & 5), I was excited when we decided to “pre-paddle” the kayak event route for the Paddle Antrim Festival in September.  Today was the day to get out and do the 15+ miles of Day 1 which goes from Ellsworth to Bellaire.  Paddle Antrim’s president… Read More »