Sat 7/23 @ 8:20AM
The 4th annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest will put in the Cuyahoga River this weekend, with all canoers, kayakers and paddleboarders invited to join the fun and show the world what a recreational treasure our river has become.
The five-hour event offers an 8.6 mile recreational paddle, along with three races: 3.2, 6.6 and 14.4 miles, so whether you paddle for fun and pleasure or for the thrill of competing, you can be part of it. Paddlers will have exclusive access to the river during the event. The paddles leave from the Cleveland Metroparks Merwin’s Wharf and Cleveland Rowing Foundation docks at Rivergate Park on the East Bank of the Flats.
Sign up early to get a Blazing Paddles T-shirt — they ran out last year. You’ll also get a Blazing Paddles sticker, coffee to send you on your journey, Carbboom! Energy Gels, and a custom bib with a QR code for Blazing Paddles Paddlefest Bib Passport Food & Beverage Partners. The Marco Polo Award will be given to the person who comes the farthest to participate — last year’s winner can form Ghana!
Paddlers can check in and drop off their kayak/canoe/paddleboard Friday evening @ 5-8pm and Saturday morning @ 5:30-8:30pm with people available to assist. There’ll also be people helping to move you from the check-in area to the dock.
For more information and to register, go to sharetheriver.com/blazing-paddles.