Blazing Paddles Paddlefest
Registration for the Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle is officially OPEN! Please register early as we are capped at 750 entries and we WILL SELL OUT!
The 6th Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest is Ohio's 2nd largest paddlng event 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 comeback Cuyahoga River now serves 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.
On Friday, June 21, enjoy the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest "Pre-Paddle Expo with food. live music and beverage at Rivergate Park.
Click on the video below to see the fun our paddlers had last year!
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 and huge steelmaking plants at the head of navigation stand in contrast to paved paths and greenspaces. 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 our 3.2, 6.8 & 14.2-mile races is ONLY on Paddle Guru, not on this Race Roster site) Register here 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 (use the code BP2 for a $5 discount!) during the registration process!
There is NO same day registration. Registration closes on June 19 or when we reach our field cap of 750.
“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 clean water and recreational tourism have on local and regional economies.”
No Refunds - No Transfers - No Rollovers
Registration fees
Recreational Distance
Price changes in 28 days 9 hours-
NOTE: This site is ONLY for the 9.8 mile (up to) recreational paddle/float. If you want to race in the 3.2, 6.8 or 14.2 mile races, please register at PaddleGuru! (https://paddleguru.com/races/BlazingPaddlesPaddlefest2023). For your entry fee you'll receive a cool Blazing Paddles tee, a decal, and you'll be contributing to Share the River's non-profit motion to promote and facilitate the safe and shared recreational use of the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie and provide recreational opportunities for urban youth and historically marginalized communities. Participants who register after June 16 may not be guaranteed a t-shirt at check-in so PLEASE register in advance. Like right now! Want to be part of Blazing Paddles Paddlefest but don't have a kayak? You can rent a single or tandem from us! Paddler instructions will be e-mailed by Wednesday afternoon, June 19, 2024.
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$55.00
standard pricing
Now registering Mar 28 – Jun 1 -
$75.00
Late
Jun 1 – Jun 19
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Course Maps
Contact information
- Event contact
- Share the River
- sharetheriver3@gmail.com
- Phone
- 1 216-496-3763
- Website
- Visit website