While visiting Detroit earlier this year, I got to meet stand-up paddleboarder extraordinaire Matt Lennert. Not only is he a competitive paddleboarder, he organizes big events and is the brand manager at Blkbox Surf, maker of high-end paddleboards. This is a brief interview we did about water sports in Detroit.

Matt paddleboarding alongside my group of kayakers on the Detroit River

Teresa:  How are your paddleboarding tours going?

Matt: The SUP excursions I lead on waterways in and around Detroit typically sell out at 20-30 people.

Teresa:  What are the best things about getting out on the Detroit River?

Matt:  I love how the wilderness environment of the river collides with the urban environment of the city.  It’s amazing to be out on the water enjoying the serenity of nature and look up to see the skyline of looming over head.  It’s amazing!

Teresa:  What do you love about taking people on the water?

Matt:  On the water is the place I feel the most free… for me it’s a place to escape and meditate, and also to pursue adventure.  I love to share all of that with people.  Also, for a lot of people the water is an intimidating environment, so when I can help someone overcome a fear of the water and challenge themselves in a new way, that’s really gratifying too!

Teresa:  What do you think are people’s biggest misconceptions about Detroit?

Matt:  Water quality!  I have to admit that even I was surprised the first time I came to Detroit to find that the water in the city is amazingly clean, clear and (in the summer) warm!  It’s such an inviting place to be on the water.  The Detroit River is part of the Great Lakes chain and the water that flows right in front of the city is the same in volume and quality as the water that flows over Niagara Falls!

Teresa:  Anything else I should know about what’s going on with river sports in Detroit?

Matt:  The annual OABI Detroit (this year it took place August 13) is a beach party, music festival and paddle race all wrapped into one.  The race is a 7-mile circumnavigation of Belle Isle in the International waters of the Detroit River.  It’s a major event that draws paddlers from all over the US and even internationally.