Name: Blazing Paddles Riverfest 2026
Start: 2026-07-18T10:00:00-04:00
Location: Nautica Waterfront District

Registration for the Blazing Paddles Riverfest Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle and Blazing Paddles races is officially OPEN! Please register early.

Our 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 (7/18/26). We will host the Pre-Paddle Expo and early paddler check-in on Friday evening (7/17/26).

The 8th 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.

On Saturday July 18, 2026 after your paddle, enjoy the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest "After-Paddle Expo with food, beverage and live Reggae music at Music Box Supper Club and other Flats West Bank hospitality partners

Your registration will get you:

Collectible keepsake Blazing Paddles t-shirt (please register early as we have sold out our last two years)
Blazing Paddles sticker
Free morning coffee and a grab & go breakfast snack bar
Post paddle snack bar with your favorite munchies
$5 Music Box Food & Beverage voucher
a free beer (detail to be provided)

Lock-in your early bird price - register by 11 p.m., Friday April 18, 2026.

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 16, 2026.

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 emailed by Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2026.

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, 2026.

There is no same-day registration.

“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

We are a rain or shine event.

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.