Paddle Antrim invites all paddlers to join them Friday evening on June 16th for a community paddle, part of the Ellsworth Pig Roast Celebration. This relaxed, hour-long paddle will travel down the calm waters of Ellsworth Lake. All types of paddlers are welcome – canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. All participants must bring their own paddle craft and personal flotation device (i.e. life vest). All ages are welcome… Read More »

  Paddle Antrim is excited to offer two different types of kayaking classes this summer in Antrim County. They will offer two half-day sessions of the Fundamentals of Kayaking. This is a great class for beginners or for those who have been paddling for a while and want to learn basic safety skills and improve technique. They will also offer a more intensive all day Level 1 and 2 Coastal… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is accepting applications for their bi-annual Ripple Effect Mini Grant Program. This competitive grant program funds projects that protect the waterways and connect people to them. Potential projects must focus on stewardship, education, or increasing accessibility to the lakes and rivers. “There are so many wonderful existing and emerging projects that are being implemented by other non-profits and local governments,” says Deana Jerdee, executive director. “This grant program… Read More »

Paddle Antrim announced it will award $3,000 to three projects that benefit Northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes region through education, water resources protection, and increasing access to the water. “We are so excited to support a second round of great projects this year. Our Ripple Effect grant program provides a wonderful way for us to expand our impact by funding projects that support our mission of protecting our waterways and… Read More »

Hello friend, While out on the water this year we heard so many great stories. We heard from a gentleman who returned to the Chain of Lakes for the first time in fifty years to visit the lake where he spent countless summers at as a child. We heard from paddlers who traveled to participate in the Paddle Antrim Festival having never before been to northern Michigan. We heard from… Read More »

Through the end of December, Paddle Antrim invites the community to participate in their Matching Gift Challenge.  With generous support from an exceptionally committed donor, any gifts during this time will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000.  These gifts will help Paddle Antrim continue efforts to provide access, education and stewardship of our local waterways, and will help to kick-start efforts to implement the Water Trail Plan. While Paddle Antrim… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is ready to celebrate Northern Michigan’s Chain of Lakes at the Paddle Antrim Festival September 15-17th.  This event is highlighted by a two-day kayak paddle through Antrim County’s Chain of Lakes and includes community events all weekend long for the entire community. This non-competitive kayak event offers paddlers the option to paddle one or two days, September 16-17th, and go anywhere from 7 miles to 42 miles through… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is hosting three more community paddle events this paddling season and invites all paddlers to join them.  These relaxed, hour-long paddles are along different sections of the Chain of Lakes.  In June, Paddle Antrim hosted their first community paddle in Ellsworth and are excited to do additional events this summer within the different communities. “These are the equivalent to community slow rides that the biking community hosts,” says… Read More »

Paddle Antrim is leading the effort to create and market a new non-motorized water trail through the Chain of Lakes.  A water trail is a designated route along a river, lake, or bay specifically designed for people using small, non-motorized boats like kayaks, canoes, single sailboats or rowboats. These trails are the aquatic equivalent to a hiking trail. Water trails typically feature well-developed access and launch points, are near significant… Read More »