Stand Up Paddleboarders to Help with Tanner’s Lake Cleanup

One of the things Oakdale resident Dave Englund said he likes about stand up paddleboarding is the way you can look down into a lake or river and see fish, or if its really clear, the rocks on the surface below.

Unfortunately, not everything that’s visible while paddling around on what looks like a surfboard is part of the natural ecosystem.

“When we first started, everywhere we went, we were amazed by just the garbage floating in the water,” he said.

Englund and his wife Cherie got into the sport after seeing people doing it in Hawaii in 2008. They’ve since become such enthusiasts that they started the Minnesota Stand Up Paddleboarders Association. Cleaning up debris from lakes and rivers throughout the metro area has been a key activity of the group.

They’ve done two cleanups this year—one in the North St. Paul Postal Credit Union pond and one in St. Paul’s Lake Phalen—removing 725 pounds of debris.

Next on their calendar is the cleanup this Saturday from 9 to 12 a.m. starting at the beach. It’ll be the group’s first time at the Tanner’s Lake cleanup, Englund said.

Helping clean up the Oakdale Lake is especially appropriate since the Englunds will be offering stand up paddleboarding lessons all summer long at the lake through the Oakdale Parks and Recreation department. Lessons will be by appointment—offered as one-time classes for up to six people he said.

Although the lessons haven’t started up yet, and the cleanup is still ahead, the Englunds have already been out on the lake looking for trash.

Although they participate in many one-day cleanup events, they like to remind people that you don’t need a special occasion to do cleanup work, he said.

“We preach that if you’re going to go stand up paddleboarding, take a bag with you,” he said.

For Saturday's event, volunteers can bring canoes or boats, or just work on the shoreline, said Senior Community Development Specialist Jen Hassebroek.

“Tanner’s Lake is the only recreational lake that we have here in Oakdale and it’s a nice asset to the community,” Hassebroek said. “Keeping it clean so everyone can enjoy it is important for everyone who lives in the area.”

To Volunteer: Just show up at the picnic shelter near Tanner’s Lake Beach at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 19. Be sure to bring work gloves.

For Lessons: Registration for stand up paddleboarding introductory classes will begin soon. More information will be available soon from the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Department.