Every May, Utah Lake begins Water Safety Awareness Month with the Paddle With Care event. The day is designed to bring the community together to honor those lost on the water, recognize those who keep the public safe, and provide education on lake safety.
Paddlers participate in a 2.6-mile route using kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. The event serves as a memorial for individuals including Priscilla Bienkowski and Sophia Hernandez, two friends who died at Utah Lake in 2020.
The event includes a fundraising component for the Utah Lake Life Jacket Loaner Program. This initiative was developed in partnership with the families of Bienkowski and Hernandez to increase access to life jackets at the lake.
For the paddling portion, participants check in at a specific marina and are taken via shuttle to a different access point before paddling back to the marina. While paddlers must be 18 or older, the celebration at the marina is open to all ages and features food trucks, games, and educational booths from local organizations.
Safety remains a primary focus of the event, with Search and Rescue present throughout the process. Organizers require all paddlers to provide their own personal water craft and safety gear, including life jackets. Safety training will be provided to all participants before launch.
While there is no cost to attend, donations are encouraged to support the cause. The 2027 event details regarding location and specific dates are still to be announced.
