Contest

Superior Rivers Watershed Association writing challenge!

WIN! Full access registration to the Freshwater Paddlers Sea Kayak Symposium.

Enter your water story into the Superior Rivers Watershed Association writing challenge! Share your connection to the waters of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior watershed in 250-1000 words. Entries due by May 18.

There will be TWO winners one in each category. For categories, see below.

 Rules

  • The piece must be your own original writing and describe your connection to water within the Lake Superior watershed in Wisconsin. This might be a river, lake, tributary, marsh, road-side ditch, ephemeral pond, etc..
  • The writing piece must be based on an actual location within the Lake Superior watershed in Wisconsin. If the river, lake, or location is not named within the piece, please provide location information in the submission email.
  • Submissions must 250-1000 words and may be in the form of short essays, stories, or poems.
  • The winning entry in each category will be the one which is determined to best convey the connection between the author and the water.
  • One entry per contestant
  • Entries must be received by 4pm on May 31.
  • Winners will be notified by June 1st. Freshwater Paddling Symposium access pass is transferrable, but registrant must be confirmed at time of winning or the prize will be awarded to the runner up.
  • Superior Rivers Watershed Association may use portions or all of any submission in our outreach materials through social media, published materials or verbal presentations. The author will be given credit for their work.
  • Categories:
    • High school
      • Any winner between the ages of 12 to 15 years old will gain full day access SATURDAY June 28 for themselves and two parents or guardians OR one parent and a friend (12-15 years old).
      • On Saturday there will be an intro to paddling class in the AM and more paddling to be had with their group in the PM.
    • Adult- Contestant is 16 years or older can win a full weekend package PLUS a discount for a friend so that you are not paddling alone.
Send submissions by e-mail to info@superiorrivers.org. If alternate entry method is needed, call (715) 682-2003 to arrange. Indicate contestant’s name and the entry category.

About the Freshwater Paddler Symposium

Freshwater Paddler was created to organize and promote educational opportunities focused on outdoor education, paddling safety, and learning about and protecting our natural environment. The symposium is designed to connect paddlers to communities and includes social paddles, group meals, and local partnerships. It is based in the small village of Cornucopia but the venue is the entire Apostle Islands area!​

All of Freshwater Paddler’s events have a donation amount collected during registration that is then provided to a local charity.​ For 2025, they are contributing 30% of registration fees to fresh water protection through The Superior Rivers Watershed Association, plus provided two free registrations for us to contribute to our membership how we see fit — so we thought a contest was a great option!

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