Blazing Paddles Paddlefest 2025

Blazing Paddles Paddlefest

Registration for the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle and races is officially OPEN! Please register early. We are thrilled to announce we have secured a new home at the Nautica Waterfront District. And yes, there is plenty of parking!

In our new location at the Nautica Waterfront District, Music Box Supper Club is serving as the hospitality partner for our annual paddling celebration of Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River, providing free live Reggae music and Caribbean-inspired cuisine at their riverside location on Saturday (7/19/25). Meanwhile, Lady Caroline Cruise Ship is set to host the Pre-Paddle Expo and early paddler check-in on Friday evening (7/18/25).

The 7th Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest is Ohio's 2nd largest paddling 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 sparked the global environmental movement and clean water protections.

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 Saturday July 19, 2025 after your paddle, enjoy the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest "After-Paddle Expo presented by Bedrock" with food, beverage and live Reggae music at Music Box Supper Club.

Click on the video below to see the fun our paddlers had in 2023!

The Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle & Float will take on a curvy, 6 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 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!

Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle & Float course

Register here to enjoy a fun, relaxed, self-guided 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!

You can also enjoy three different race lengths during Blazing Paddles Paddlefest.

Race Lengths

Recreational Distance - 3.7 miles, The Carl Stokes Memorial (all classes) - $45

Medium Distance - 6 miles, Ruth Patrick Memorial (all classes) - $65

Long Distance - 12 miles, Rachel Carson Memorial (High Performance Kayak (18'1"), Fast Sea Kayak (16'1" -18') - $65

NOTE: Early bird pricing runs through Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Our famous photo award and a hat (trucker or light booney, your choice) hat will be given to the top three finishers in each category. Race categories are per the Waterman Series classifications.

For your entry you'll receive a cool Blazing Paddles tee, and you'll be contributing to Share the River's 501(c)(3) motion to provide recreational opportunities for historically disadvantaged audiences.

All ages are welcome however paddlers under the age of 15 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

Paddler instructions will be e-mailed by Wednesday afternoon, July 16, 2025.

Race Categories

• SUP 14' & Under
• High-Performance Kayak (18'1")
• Fast Sea Kayak (16'1" -18')
• Sea Kayak (14'-16')
• Kayak (Under 14)
• Solo Canoe (Includes Outrigger)
• Tandem Kayak
• Tandem Canoe (Includes OC-2)

Pre-registration closes on July 15, 2025.

Same day registration will be subject to a $40.00 convenience fee. All proceeds will go to support our "We Paddle the City" program.

“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

Event organizers expressly reserve the right to cancel for emergency purposes and, furthermore, If such emergency conditions force cancellation, refunds cannot be provided since funds will have been spent in preparation for event day.