American Faces No. 114: Paddlers are welcome here.

I think all of us can muster up a grand story of adventure that involves a canoe or some watercraft.  Maybe one we formed while swirling our hand in the water, or having some faded orange “life” jacket pushing into our neck as we sat slumped in a 12ft Alumacraft boat in our younger years.  Well that was me for sure.  I guess my memories are what fueled my curiosity to connect with Clear Waters Outfitting in Clearwater ,MN.  More specifically; Sandra Meer, who now continues the legacy of the shop after her husband, Dan passed away in April of 2025.  Sandra is not a tall person by any means but her warmth, love for paddlesports and a relentless care for the customer are evident from the moment you walk in the store.  Clear Waters Outfitting is the only paddle sport specialty shop and outfitter on the banks of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota and it is wonderfully filled with well fitting life jackets, canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, accessories and smiles that make you feel welcome.  

You can tell wisdom has been hard earned when you talk to Sandra, who with her husband established Clear Waters Outfitting in 2009 and officially started selling boats and offering river trips in 2010.  There have been many people who have been a part of the Clear Waters’ story through the years, both family and friends alike.  Growth has been well thought out, from helping anglers discover kayak fishing on a “Wild and Scenic” stretch of the Mississippi to integrating a repair shop in 2018 when NorthWest Canoe was added to the mix.  While Sandra and her team may not be a box store with price cutting discounts, they are a warm, knowledgeable, customer service driven place that loves to hear your story and likely share one of their own.

So here’s my thoughts in a nutshell.  Let Amazon be Amazon.  Shop small with someone like Sandra of Clear Waters Outfitting.  You literally help their business thrive.  You might just meet a new friend to help you with your adventurous life story.

Photos and story by: Nielsen Studios

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