Organizers of Ohio River Paddlefest will attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for “Largest Paddle Craft Party” during this year’s event, Saturday, Aug. 1, according to a press release.
The nonprofit already believes it draws the largest number of paddlers at any festival in the country, and now wants official recognition to prove it.
Brewster Rhoads, the founder of Paddlefest, previously told CityBeat that the group had considered inviting Guinness officials to count participants, but balked at the $18,000 cost.
“So we’re thinking, is it really worth it? Just for the bragging rights?” he said.
Now, it appears the answer is yes.
“That’s a great bragging point for Cincinnati, for our region,” Rhoads said.
The Paddle at the Bay event in Pine Beach, N.J., currently holds the record with 1,105 paddlers. Rhoads said the Ohio River Paddlefest has drawn about 1,100 paddlers annually for the past 15 years. The festival is turning 25 this year.
“What this does, in so many ways, is expose people to the beauty and majesty of the Ohio River and give them a reason to care about it,” Rhoads said.
Since 2013, Paddlefest has partnered with 34 schools in the region, including all Cincinnati Public Schools high schools and middle schools, as well as Northern Kentucky schools in Dayton, Ludlow, Bellevue, Newport, Covington and Bromley, Rhoads said.
The organization, part of Adventure Crew, uses revenue from Paddlefest to support faculty advisors at each school, who lead clubs that give students a full day of outdoor activities: paddling, fishing, hiking, cycling, climbing or skiing, at no cost.