Paddles & Premieres, La Crosse Paddle Weekend | May 29-31, 2026

2026 Schedule of Events!

Friday, May 29th

• 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Head to Pettibone Park Lagoon for a paddling event featuring the return of Dead Fish Polo with Sanborn Canoe — a playful and engaging experience for paddlers of all ages and skill levels. There will be FREE rental equipment provided courtesy of the La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department! And NEW this year, Beer By Bike Brigade and LaCrosseAF will be providing brats, hot dogs, and a variety of beverages for all attendees. 
  • Location: Pettibone Park Canoe/Kayak Shelter, 401 S Pettibone Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601
  • Sponsors: Sanborn Canoe, La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, Beer By Bike Brigade, LaCrosse AF

Saturday, May 30th

• 9:00 am – 11:00 am: Kayak Safety Course – Beginner/Intermediate – more details to come! Bring your own kayak OR rentals can be provided free of charge by the City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department!
  • Location: Pettibone Park Canoe/Kayak Shelter , near 401 S Pettibone Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601
  • Sponsors: Kayoe SUP, La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department

• 10:00 am – 11:30 am: Take your yoga practice to the water! Join Root Down Yoga Studio’s instructor, Pam, for a fun and relaxing SUP yoga class at Lake Neshonoc, West Salem. Paddle boards will be provided for all participants. Connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. You must sign up for this activity to ensure they have enough boards. Try something new!
  • Location: Landing at Lake Neshonoc South County Park Sign on E. Tilson St, the area is located before the landing all the way at the south end (Link to map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YURvHh9NY7X3QMyH6)
  • Sponsors: Root Down Yoga
  • Sign Up Link (scroll down to find the free class on May 30th): https://rootdownyogastudio.com/workshops/

• 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm: There will be a dragon boat demonstration and paddling with the Mississippi Sisters Dragon Boat Team at Veterans Freedom Park! There will be equipment provided by the Dragon Boats, and waivers and sign-up needed!
  • Location: 120 Clinton St, La Crosse, WI 54603
  • Sponsors: Mississippi Sisters Dragonboat Team

• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Kayak Safety Course – Intermediate/Advanced – more details to come! Bring your own kayak!
  • Location: Pettibone Park Canoe/Kayak Shelter, 401 S Pettibone Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601
  • Sponsors: Kayoe SUP

• 4:30 pm: Make a visit to the Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria on Friday to attend a showing of the 2026 Paddling Film Festival! Watch multiple different short films all focused on paddling the great waters! Doors open at 4:30 pm, show starts at 5:00 pm. Sponsored by Explore La Crosse and LaCrosseAF – supporting the River Clean Up, La Crosse. All tickets are donation based, and donations go directly to River Cleanup of La Crosse). For More Film Festival Info Click Here: https://www.paddlingfilmfestival.com/
  • Location: 117 4th St N, La Crosse, WI 54601
  • Explore La Crosse, LaCrosse AF, Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria

• 8:00 pm: Join us for a sunset paddle on Lake Onalaska, sunset will be at 8:38pm! There will be free rentals available thanks to Schafer’s River Rentals and Kayoe SUP will be leading the paddle.
  • Directions: Mosey Landing on Lake Onalaska (W7207 N Shore Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650)
  • Sponsors: Kayoe SUP and Schafer’s River Rentals

Sunday, May 31st

• 9:00 am: Enjoy a fun paddle around Goose Island led by the La Crosse Paddle Club. This is your chance to get out on the water and cheer on the Goose Island Grind racers! BYO canoe, kayak, or SUP!
  • Location: Goose Island County Park – Shelter #4 (North Boat Landing Area – W6488 County Rd G I, Stoddard, WI 54658)
  • Sponsors: La Crosse Paddle Club

• All Day: Goose Island Grind – This is a canoe, kayak, and SUP race on the Mississippi River around Goose Island County Park that is open to the public. Hosted by ORA Trails and directed by Jud Steinback and Chris Randles the event invites paddlers of all skill levels to participate in a fun and community-oriented race that benefits ORA Trails and encourages the public to get outside and explore La Crosse County’s waterways.
  • Morning race starts at 9:30 AM – afternoon race starts at 1:30 PM – kid’s race starts at 12:00 PM
  • This is a registered and paid event. For more information click here: https://oratrails.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/oratrails/event.jsp?event=45&
  • Location: Goose Island County Park – Shelter #4 (North Boat Landing Area – W6488 County Rd G I, Stoddard, WI 54658)
  • Sponsors: ORA Trails

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