On August 5, about 2,000 kayakers, canoers and paddle boarders will race the Ohio River during this year’s Paddlefest.
Participants will navigate a 9-mile or 4.2-mile route along the river, which launches at the Schmidt Recreation Complex in Riverside. Paddlers will follow the Ohio river’s bend that leads to finish lines at the halfway point in Covington and the full 9-mile trek at Gilday Riverside Park.
The Ohio River Paddlefest was established in 2001 and has been recognized as the nation’s largest paddling celebration, according to the Paddlefest website. This year’s event includes a pre-paddle sunrise activity on Aug. 2, a pre-party on Aug. 4, a bass fishing contest and the annual Finish Line Festival to conclude the race.
Paddlefest is hosted by local nonprofit Adventure Crew. Since 2013, the organization has been engaging Cincinnati youth in outdoor activities that aim to connect them with nature. During monthly adventures created by Adventure Crew, students from 25 high schools and elementary schools are challenged to “step out of their comfort zone and discover new worlds,” according to a Paddlefest press release. By connecting youth to nature Adventure Crew hopes to positively impact almost 1,000 students per year, as it currently serves all Cincinnati Public High Schools, select CPS elementary schools and six Northern Kentucky schools.
“Every dollar we raise through Paddlefest supports [our] mission,” Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for Adventure Crew, said in a press release. “So by signing up to paddle on Saturday or buying raffle tickets and a beer on Friday, you’re helping us get city teens who might not otherwise have access to nature out on adventures like hiking, biking and of course, paddling. It’s a great way to share your love of the outdoors while having a great time in the process.”
The Outdoors for All Expo is the official “pre-party” of Paddlefest. About 70 exhibitors including local parks, outdoor outfitters and adventure experts will accompany live music, a MadTree beer truck, food trucks and hands-on demonstrations by vendors. The pre-paddle-party is free from 4-9:30 p.m. on Aug.4 at the Schmidt Recreation Complex.
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This year, the Ohio River Paddlefest honors a 100-year-old canoer and Paddlefest competitor as the “Commodore of Paddlefest.”
Mike Fremont, avid runner, canoer and world-record holder is the honorable Commodore of the 2023 event. Fremont is also a river conservationist who founded American Rivers in 1973 and an Ohio-wide organization to protect rivers called Rivers Unlimited. He’s also a longtime board member of the Little Miami Conservancy. Paddlers and paddle-viewers can anticipate Fremont’s performance in this years’ race.
In addition to Paddlefest day-of and pre-paddle events, the second-annual Paddlefest Kayak Bass Finishing Tournament will take place on Aug. 4 and 5. Cash and gear prizes will be awarded to winning anglers.
“Between Ohio River Paddlefest and the Outdoors for All Expo, Paddlefest weekend has become a can’t-miss event for outdoor enthusiasts,” Wise said in the press release. “Mark your calendars and invite your friends and family to join us the first weekend in August for this much-loved annual tradition.”
For more information about registration and events visit ohioriverpaddlefest.org.
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This article appears in Jul 12-25, 2023.
