Great Outdoors: Whitewater Rafting the St. Louis River

A Wet and Wild Trip down a Local River

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If you’re an adrenaline junkie you may have already heard of Swiftwater Adventures in Cloquet.

In this week’s Great Outdoors Katie Lange and Photojournalist Adam Jagunich gear up with helmets, life jackets and paddles to make their way down the St. Louis River.

They go on a wet and wild adventure known as Whitewater Rafting.

It’s a feel, a rush of adrenaline that you can’t explain, instead it must be experienced.

“I think it’s a combination of whitewater paddling where there is some adrenaline and rush and I also think it’s a mix of wilderness paddling, because you’re in unique canyons that you can only see from the perspective of the river,” said Chief of Operations at Swiftwater Adventures Cliff Langley.

Langley has been guiding outdoor adventures since the late 1990’s.

“I’ve loved paddling and Northeast Minnesota for all the water, the river, the rock, tall pines, it’s my kind of country I just love it,” exclaimed Langley.

A few years ago he and some experienced paddling buddies opened Swiftwater Adventures, guiding hundreds of trips each year.

“If they follow our directions, paddle hard and have an open heart and open mind they usually have a good time and come away safe,” said Langley.

Just in case things got dicey on our adventure down the St. Louis River, Langley had us practice a water rescue.

As with most sports and adventures, safety is the main concern.

“(For) people that are scared you probably want to come during lower times of the year like late July or early August, that’s typically low water,” said Langley.

Just because the water levels are low doesn’t mean your trip will be dull.

“It was great! I’d go do it again tomorrow if I could probably, again today if I could,” exclaimed tourist Kurt Barickman.

“This trip today is a special trip, when the upper St. Louis River gets too low we do the shorter trip here. It’s not quite as long, but it’s a little bit more action packed because it’s more class three rapids closer together,” said Langley.

We were even offered a chance to surf a wave with our raft.

“It’s pretty dynamic. It’s a way for people to just like feel connected to the river because they can see the entire river rushing past you,” said Langley.

We paddled till we had exerted all our energy, and then took a swim at an island and a short hike in Jay Cooke State Park.

“Being in the water, rapids, swimming. It was fun the whole thing. I like water. I like to do boats and be outside, so it was great,” said Barickman.

Whitewater rafting is a daring experience, but the reward is great than any risk.

“Every once in a while people fall out and they might have to swim through a rapid and maybe a few bruises or little cuts or something, but no major injuries,” said Langley.

Swiftwater Adventures also offers peaceful canoe trips and whitewater kayaking.

For more information: http://www.swiftwatermn.com/