Blazing Paddles Paddlefest 2022

Blazing Paddles
The 4th Annual Blazing Paddles is a Paddlefest for kayaks, canoes, standups, and surf skis on the Cuyahoga River, a historic body of water that's risen like a Phoenix since the June 22, 1969 fire ignited the global environmental movement. The 50th anniversary of the 1972 Clean Water Act finds the comeback Cuyahoga River serving as an economic driver for the region as developers follow the bike and pedestrian trails and parks spreading across the Cuyahoga River Valley, part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area.

The Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle & Float will take on a curvy, 9.8-mile urban waterfront journey that flows past a unique mix of riverfront sites where iconic pyramids of sand and stone stand in contrast to paved paths and green-spaces. 4 days before Blazing Paddles we will provide you with a digital guide that will allow you to explore and experience Cleveland's waterfront history and learn about current stakeholder operations. Choose one of three turnaround points to suit your needs!

You can also race Blazing Paddles (registration for 3.2, 6.8 & 14.2-mile races is on Paddle Guru) or by registering here, you can take your time to enjoy a fun, relaxed, self-guided 9.8 mile journey with your paddling friends on Cleveland's hard-working, scenic, and historic Cuyahoga River. If you don't own a kayak, you can rent a single or tandem during the registration process!

“When you participate in Blazing Paddles on Cleveland’s vibrant, scenic, and historic Cuyahoga River, you’ll be a reminder of the positive catalytic effects recreational tourism has on local and regional economies.”

No Refunds - No Transfers - No Rollovers

(7.20.22 7:08 a.m. ADVISORY): Congratulations Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddlers! So many of you have registered that we're nearing our 500 paddler registration cap! In order to properly serve our registered paddlers on July 22 & 23, we will CLOSE REGISTRATION at 11 a.m today! Registration for our races will remain open. To improve our Friday & Saturday check-in throughput, there will be NO same day registration for our recreational paddle or races!