Paddles & Premieres, La Crosse Paddle Weekend | August 8-10, 2025

Events

In case of inclement weather, please refer to our Facebook event page for delays and cancellations!

Please signup for The Paddling Film Festival Tickets with the link we have provided below! All other activities, please sign up with our form above.

August 8th:
4PM: 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!

6PM: Join us at the Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria on Friday to attend the 20th Anniversary of the Paddling Film Festival- watch over 25 different videos all focused on paddling our great waters! Doors open at 6pm, Show starts at 7pm. Sponsored by Explore La Crosse and Supporting the River Clean Up, La Crosse. TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE HERE (Tickets are donation based, donations go directly to River Cleanup of La Crosse). For More Film Festival Info Click Here.

August 9th:
10AM-11:30AM:There will be a Dragonboat demonstration and paddling with the Mississippi Sisters Dragonboat team at Veterans Freedom Park! There will be equipment provided by the Dragon Boats.

2PM-4PM: There will be a safety clinic for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards with the La Crosse Paddling Club at Pettibone Park, and the La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry will be providing free rental equipment!

8PM-10PM: Enjoy a Full Moon Paddle with Kayoe SUP, will be at Lake Neshonoc South Park (1050 E. Tilson St. West Salem, WI 54669), Bring your own canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard rentals are available for $30 from Kayoe SUP if needed. Rent for this event here.

August 10th:
9AM-12PM: DIY (do it yourself) Kayaking/Canoeing with Scavenger Hunt Bingo- Free canoe and kayak rentals available at Schafer’s River Rentals at W7221 North Shore Ln. Onalaska, WI 54650! To reserve equipment, call Schafer’s River Rentals at (608) 781-3100 and mention that you are participating in the Paddles and Premiers event! Sponsored by Schafer’s River Rentals.

10AM-11:30AM: Take your yoga practice to the water! Join Root Down Yoga Studio’s instructor, Pam, for a fun and relaxing Stand-up Paddling (SUP) yoga class at Lake Neshonoc, South Park (1050 E Tilson St. West Salem, WI 54669). All equipment is provided free of charge thanks for Rood Down Yoga Studio! Please register for this class here (class size limited to 10) Connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors. Try something new!

2PM: Kayaking is for all! Enjoy an inclusive kayaking session in partnership with the STAR Center and North American Squirrel Association (N.A.S.A.) at Lake Neshonoc. Please register online or call at 608-797-6395. Sign Up Here for Single Kayak Registration. Sign Up Here for Tandem Kayak Registration.

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