St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers (SLVP) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization formed to promote recreational paddling, recreational paddlesports racing, pro and amateur marathon racing, fitness through paddling, and conservation of our local waterways. Founded in 1990 and based in Canton, NY, SLVP has encouraged participation in paddlesports for over 30 years. Our goals are to promote paddlesport racing by hosting several St. Lawrence County races, providing paddlesport safety training for new and experienced paddlers, providing top tips and techniques to improve paddler's fitness and paddling enjoyment, and to explore and conserve our North Country waterways. Objectives are to introduce, recruit and encourage new paddlers to compete in recreational paddlesport racing, train new and experienced paddlers in paddlesport safety, discover, learn to appreciate and conserve North Country waterways, and improve waterway access for the public.
 
SLVP sponsors weekly Wednesday evening 'scrambles' (time trials) of 4-6 miles on the Grasse and/or Little Rivers and run-paddle-run duathlons. Duathlons are held at the Little River boat launch next to the Park Street bridge (CR 27) in Canton on the third Wednesday of May, June, July, August and September. Duathlons consist of a 1.25 mile run, a 1.25 mile paddle and another 1.25 mile run. SLVP also sponsors five marathon and recreational races between April and September.
 
Members vary in their abilities from novice recreational paddlers to pro racers. They paddle a variety of watercraft including solo and tandem canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pack boats.
 
We encourage membership in our organization for a variety of reasons. Memberships and donations cover basic expenses such as our PO Box, maintaining our website, race insurance, mailings, participation at sports shows, purchasing race buoys and boat numbers, safety trainings, and to support other paddling events and padding organizations. Memberships are available for individuals, families and businesses. Member benefits include a $5 discount at registration for all SLVP hosted races.
 
If you are interested in paddling with SLVP, come out and see what we are all about!  For more information regarding times and locations please visit our website pages, our Facebook page or contact us.
 
Please consider joining SLVP today and/or supporting us by making a donation.