Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, oh my! What you need to know about Paddlefest 2022 🛶

Taylor Burnette, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read

Want to join one of the United States' largest fleets of paddlers? This weekend is your big chance.

Ohio River Paddlefest hosts two paddle adventures on Saturday, Aug. 6, the 9-mile Paddlefest Classic and the 4.5-mile Paddlefest Mini. The event features nearly 2,000 paddlers every year with a mix of rental watercraft and participants bringing their own. However, even if you're not in the water, Paddlefest weekend has something for everyone who loves the outdoors.

Paddlefest benefits and is organized by Adventure Crew, a local nonprofit focused on getting teenagers who live in the city connected with the outdoors at no cost to them. The group works with schools to bring Cincinnati Public School students, as well as students in other high schools throughout the area, a Saturday each month with a different outdoor adventure – ranging from hiking to kayaking, rock climbing and more.

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"The majority of students we serve are underrepresented in outdoor spaces," said Miriam Wise, the director of support and engagement at Adventure Crew.

Paddlefest has been deemed the largest fleet of paddlers by the American Canoe Association. Next year, Wise said Paddlefest is hoping to officially make it into the Guinness Book of Records for the largest gathering.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 Ohio River Paddlefest.

Paddlefest participants kayak down the Ohio River in 2021. Paddlefest is the nation's largest kayaking and canoeing event and has thousands of participants.
Paddlefest participants kayak down the Ohio River in 2021. Paddlefest is the nation's largest kayaking and canoeing event and has thousands of participants.

When and where is Paddlefest?

  • Paddlers must be in the water by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave., East End.

To enjoy a leisurely paddle down the Ohio river as part of Paddlefest, costs are $75 for the 9-mile and $70 for the 4.5-mile. If you're hoping to rent something to paddle – single kayaks are still available. But signing up to rent one sooner than later is the safest bet.

Boats can be dropped off Friday night from 4 to 8 p.m. or can be dropped in the day of the paddle. The journey for both the 9-mile and the 4.5-mile begins at Schmidt Recreation Complex (2944 Humbert Ave., East End), and there will be shuttles from both end-of-race locations back to the complex, with some parking at each location.

To register for the leisure paddle, go to ohioriverpaddlefest.org/registration.

Want to race at Paddlefest?

  • The race begins 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Schmidt Recreation Complex.

Race 4.2 miles from the start to Covington or race the entire 9-mile course all the way to the finish. Registration for the race is $75 for the 4.2-mile Race to the Roebling and $80 for the 9-mile Seven Bridges Race. There is a skills session offered on Friday at 6:30 p.m. that can be added when registering for the race online.

To register to race, head to ohioriverpaddlefest.org/races.

A man walks along the shore of the Ohio River while people begin kayaking and canoeing during Paddlefest in 2021.
A man walks along the shore of the Ohio River while people begin kayaking and canoeing during Paddlefest in 2021.

What is the Outdoors for All Expo?

  • Friday, Aug. 5, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Schmidt Recreation Complex.

Even if you aren't racing, there are still plenty of paddle-themed festivities to partake in. Check out the expo event at Schmidt Recreation Complex on Friday, Aug. 5, from 4 to 9:30 p.m., where you can find everything that interests those who love the outdoors: adventure experts, outdoor gear swaps, representatives from environmental organizations and more. There will also be music, local beer, food trucks, raffles and activities for "little explorers."

The event is free to all. For parking, attendees who aren't dropping off boats for the next day should park on an adjacent street or at Riverview East Academy, where you can follow the Ohio River Trail directly into the park at the recreation complex.

And if you're fond of fishing, you can hop into the new Paddlefest bass fishing event. You can drop lines in starting at 6 a.m. on the lower Little Miami and Ohio River, and weigh-ins and awards will be given at 8 p.m. at the expo.

Outdoors for All Expo music schedule:

  • 4 p.m., Gabbard & Co.

  • 5:30 p.m., Tracy Walker.

  • 7:30 p.m., the Tillers.

The Cincinnati Fire Department sprays Paddlefest participants in 2021 on the banks of the Ohio River.
The Cincinnati Fire Department sprays Paddlefest participants in 2021 on the banks of the Ohio River.

Want to watch Paddlefest float by?

  • Best time is between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6.

If you're not ready to paddle, you can still get up early, grab some coffee and head down to the river to watch 1,500 craft make their way down the Ohio River. Wise recommends watching from the Serpentine Wall or the Downtown bridges. The best time to watch is around 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Want to go to the Finish Line Festival?

  • 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Gilday Recreation Complex, 3540 Southside Ave., Riverside.

If you make it to Gilday Recreation Complex (3540 Southside Ave., Riverside), you can grab a MadTree beer, food trucks and music by the Suburners to celebrate the end of another gathering of the United States' largest fleet of paddlers.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio River Paddlefest 2022: Everything you need to know