LEGACY

“Happy are those that dream dreams, and have the courage to make them come true.”

Verlen kruger
VERLEN KRUGER MEMORIAL
Verlen Kruger Memorial is located on the banks of the Grand River at Thompson Field in Portland, Michigan.

VERLEN KRUGER AWARD
The Verlen Kruger Award is awarded annually at the Quiet Adventures Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan.

CANOER’S MEMORIAL MONUMENT
In 2005, Verlen Kruger’s name was enshrined on the Michigan Canoe Racing Association Canoer’s Memorial Monument. The monument is located along the River Road National Forest Scenic Byway with a view of Cooke Pond, Au Sable River in Iosco County near Oscoda, Michigan.

KRUGER LANDING
Kruger Landing is located along the banks of the Red Cedar River on the Lansing River Trail and provides an accessible canoe launch for paddlers.

MICHIGAN HERITAGE MEMORIAL
Commemorating the Ultimate Canoe Challenge, this Michigan Heritage Memorial is located at Adado Park in Lansing, Michigan.

KRUGER-WADDELL BORDER CHALLENGE
The Kruger-Waddell Border Challenge commemorates the record setting voyage of Verlen Kruger and Clint Waddell in 1969. Located along the Minnesota/Canada border, Verlen and Clint paddled and portaged this 270 mile route in 80 hours and 40 minutes.

HUGH HEWARD CHALLENGE
Topologist and historian, Jim Woodruff challenged his neighbor and friend, Verlen Kruger to reenact a one-day, 50-mile sprint down the Grand River first accomplished by British fur trader Hugh Heward and his French-Canadian crew in two birchbark canoes on April 24, 1790. The challenge became an annual event and is still enjoyed by paddlers today.