A Decade on the Water for Paddle Antrim

10 highlights for the nonprofit as they celebrate their 10th anniversary

By Drew VanDrie | Aug. 17, 2024

Paddle Antrim was founded in 2014 on the principle of connection—joining people, waterways, and environmental conservation.

“Our mission is to protect our waterways by connecting people through paddlesports,” says Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee. “We feel that when people are on the water and engaged, they understand the reason why we want to protect these resources and are more apt to protect them.”

Now, the paddlesport organization is celebrating a decade of dedication. We asked Jerdee to share the nonprofit’s top 10 accomplishments over the last 10 years.

1. Opening the Chain of Lakes Water Trail

At No. 1 the list (and for good reason), Jerdee highlights the impressive undertaking of establishing the Water Trail. “It’s probably the biggest thing we’ve done, and most time-intensive,” she says.

Planning for the establishment of the trail coincided with the formation of Paddle Antrim itself in 2014, with a core focus on coordinating with the numerous site owners, local governments, and other nonprofit organizations to formulate a cohesive waterway throughout the Chain of Lakes in Antrim County.

The effort and perseverance paid off with the Water Trail officially opening in 2021 boasting 84 access sites, over 100 miles of pristine water to explore (through 12 lakes and interconnected rivers), and the distinction as the first state-designated water trail in northern Michigan.

“As an organization we work with 20 different entities along the Chain of Lakes to create over 100 miles of connected waterway that people can paddle,” says Jerdee.

2. Development of Public Resources

Along with the establishment of the Water Trail, Paddle Antrim has focused on providing numerous assets and support to make the resource as accessible as possible.

“As part of the Water Trail effort, we installed signage at all 84 access sites,” says Jerdee. “There’s signs at the water’s edge so people know where they can exit [the Water Trail]. There are kiosks at all of the trailheads and access sites so there’s information about the trail, stewardship, safety, and community.”

In addition to physical assets, Paddle Antrim has also built out their digital infrastructure to assist and inform paddlers.

“We developed a comprehensive website,” says Jerdee, pointing to paddleantrim.com. “I know when I’m going to go somewhere new, I try to find information about where I’m going so I can plan ahead of time.”

Jerdee also notes that Paddle Antrim has developed waterproof maps of the Water Trail that paddlers can take with them, as well as a digital map within the application Avenza Maps that paddlers can download for free (ahead of time with internet connection) and that will still function without cell service.

3. Elk Rapids Rotary Park Redesign

In yet another ambitious project for Paddle Antrim, the organization has been part of the redevelopment of Rotary Park in Elk Rapids to make it more paddle-sport and public friendly.

“In coordination with the village, we helped them design and raise $1 million to do some major improvements at Rotary Park,” says Jerdee. From a parking lot overhaul to allow more space for trailers, to the implementation of a universal access launch, to a much needed fully-plumbed ADA restroom, the revamp of the Rotary Park is all in the name of encouraging waterway access.

The redesign also considers invasive species mitigation by including a permanent non-motorized wash station (the first of its kind in the state of Michigan, Jerdee adds) to clean kayaks, boats, and paddle boards moving between waterways. “We are putting in the first wash station on the Chain of Lakes,” says Jerdee, “It really emphasizes our desire for people to ‘clean, drain, dry,’ and protect our waterways.”

Construction at the park is currently underway and expected to complete in November with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony anticipated for summer 2025.

4. Paddle Antrim Festival

Next on the list of highlights is Paddle Antrim Festival, the 9th edition of which is scheduled for Sept. 12-14 of this year. Centered on a non-competitive two-day paddle through the Chain of Lakes Water trail, the 42-mile float meanders from Ellsworth to Elk Rapids, culminating in a final celebration bash at the Short’s Pull Barn.

Besides the inherent promotion of the trail and paddle sports, Jerdee points to the benefits and business the festival brings to Antrim and beyond. “The majority of the people are coming from outside the area,” says Jerdee, “so it’s definitely an economic boon for the region. Roughly 70-80 percent come from outside the area and from multiple states.”

The festival hosts events in Bellaire on the first day (Bellaire Block Party) and Elk Rapids on the second (Final Bash) that are open to the public and invites the community to partake in the festivities. “While the paddlers are focused on the water,” Jerdee says, “it’s a whole community vibe throughout the weekend.”

5. Community Paddle Series

The Paddle Antrim Festival is not the only opportunity to splash in the water with a group of paddlers. Throughout the summer months, Paddle Antrim hosts several Community Paddle gatherings that take place throughout the Chain of Lakes area.

“We do community paddles roughly every two weeks,” says Jerdee. “They’re one-hour paddles and in different places along the Water Trail.”

Open to all ages and forms of paddle-powered craft, the Community Paddles are a great opportunity to see different portions of the Water Trail and cruise around with friends.
Participants must provide their own watercraft and personal flotation device, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Community Paddle dates and times are posted on the Paddle Antrim website event calendar and their Facebook page.

6. Paddle Safety

Safety and proper preparation is integral to any paddle (or water) sport, which is why Paddle Antrim offers Paddling Classes. “From early on I realized that safety was important,” says Jerdee. “I’ve paddled for 20 years, but never took a class, and it was like ‘Ohhh!’ I learned so many things,” she laughs.

Realizing there was a lack of paddle safety classes available in the region, Paddle Antrim implemented their own courses, led by certified instructors. They offer classes tailored to varying skill levels from kayaking and paddle boarding basics to more advanced stroke and paddle technique. And while the group courses have concluded for 2024, those interested in a personal course can contact the Paddle Antrim team.

7. MI Paddle Steward Program

In addition to encouraging participation on the waterways, Paddle Antrim also focuses on promoting the stewardship of these pristine resources. The nonprofit is part of the MI Paddle Steward Program—a coalition of like-minded organizations and local paddlers that relies upon volunteers to identify and report aquatic invasive species.

“Educating paddlers on what they’re looking for and how to report it is very important for us,” Jerdee says. “Paddlers are on the water, they’re seeing things, they’re close to the water, they’re going to see invasive species and things that don’t look right before motorized boaters or other people.”

Proactive paddlers can join the program to learn identification and instruction on how to navigate the Midwestern Invasive Species Information Network app to help with invasive species reporting and help preserve northern Michigan waterways for future generations.

8. Ripple Effect Mini-Grant Program

Since its outset, Paddle Antrim has focused on a mission to protect the waterways and considers all the ways the organization can have an impact. “We’re a very small organization with a pretty large mission, so we thought, how can we make sure that we’re having an impact, a bigger impact?” says Jerdee.

The solution was to offer some financial assistance to projects that aligned with Paddle Antrim’s goals of waterway conservation.

Funded by a portion of the revenue from hosted events like Paddle Antrim Festival, the Ripple Effect mini-grants are modest but meaningful monetary awards (typically ranging from $500-$3,000). Since 2015, Jerdee notes that Paddle Antrim has given out over $35,000 in mini-grants to go toward conservation and preservation efforts.

The projects and recipients of these grants have taken many shapes over the years. “We’ve assisted Bellaire with doing some improvements for a launch in Richardi Park,” says Jerdee. “We’ve helped our lake associations purchase water quality testing equipment. We gave money out to the Boardman Cleansweep to help do some cleanups along the Chain. So just a variety of different projects that all align with our mission.”

Organizations looking to apply for a mini grant can apply online at paddleantrim.com/ripple-effect-mini-grants.

9. Volunteer Base

Paddle Antrim has tackled some ambitious projects, but the organization itself is modestly staffed with only two part-time employees, including Jerdee. “We are a small organization,” she reiterates. “We couldn’t do all of these accomplishments without our volunteers.”

From large events like Paddle Antrim Festival to the other public offerings, Jerdee and Paddle Antrim rely on the generous support and volunteer work of the community.

“We have well over 100 volunteers who give over 1,000 hours every year to help us carry out the work we do,” she says. Whether they’re helping with Water Trail maintenance or class instruction, Jerdee notes that the volunteers are a true driving force. “There’s a lot of people who help support us through their time that helps make this stuff happen, that we could not do without them.”

10. Paddlers Like You

Pairing with volunteer support is the monetary contributions of individuals, organizations, and donors that make the work of Paddle Antrim possible.

“Those that help fund our work, make our work possible,” says Jerdee. From the individuals to the organizations and foundations, Jerdee expresses her and the organizations gratitude for the past and continued support. “We couldn’t do the work without all our generous support.”

Learn more about Paddle Antrim and the upcoming festival at paddleantrim.com.