Blazing Paddles is a paddlefest for standups, canoes, kayaks 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 environmental movement. You'll be navigating a curvy, urban course 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. You can race Blazing Paddles, but you can also take your time to enjoy a relaxing journey on the historic river. 

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ARE NOW LIVE!

http://results.theruniversity.com/2019/Blazing%20Paddles/2019-06-22-2019

Thank you for being part of an amazing and historic day for paddling on the Cuyahoga River.

http://sharetheriver.com/blog/2019/6/27/the-2nd-annual-blazing-paddles-paddlefest-burns-a-new-cuyahoga-river-narrative

Awards and t-shirts are being processed and you will be seeing those shortly.

The 5.7 mile scenic course with sweeping views of downtown Cleveland will take you under 10 bridges spanning the river before you reach the race’s turnaround point – THE location of the 1952 Cuyahoga River fire, the infamous image that’s often used as the poster child for environmental degradation. The 13 mile course's turnaround point will be within sight of the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire. After the race, enjoy music, food, beer at the 50th-anniversary recreation hub at Rivergate Park.

In addition to the 5.7-mile race and 13 mile race, Blazing Paddles offers a 2-mile paddle for casual paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists. For clarity, Blazing Paddles is a PARTICIPATION event. Racers are gonna race, but you've got the Cuyahoga River to yourself for four hours. Blazing Paddles is part of the Kentucky Waterman Series and the newly created Erie Series. 

Race/Paddle Lengths

Long Distance - 13 miles, Rachel Carson Memorial (High Performance Kayak (18'1"), Fast Sea Kayak (16'1" -18') - $65

Short Distance - 5.7 miles, Ruth Patrick Memorial (all classes) - $65

Recreational Distance - 2 miles, The Carl Stokes Memorial (all classes) - $30

For your entry feel 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 urban youth. Please note we experienced a surge in registrations past our June 17 cut-off date for pre-ordered t-shirts. Participants who registered after June 17 will be mailed their t-shirt. 

PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. PARTICIPANTS MAY DO SAME DAY REGISTRATION WITH CASH OR CHECK

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)

Rentals (all rentals must be reserved in advance, no same-day registration)

• Single Kayak - $30.00 (includes paddle & PFD)
• Double Kayak - $50.00 (includes paddles & PFDs_
• Paddleboard - $30.00 (includes paddle, leash, & PFD)

Get $5 OFF

Use coupon code: 1weekaway

Please note there are no refunds, no transfers or rollovers.

Preliminary Event Schedule (subject to change)

Friday, June 21 Blazing Paddles Check-In, Registration, Boat Drop Off at Merwin’s Wharf

5:00 - 9:00 pm Early registration, packet pickup, & boat drop off

1. PLEASE register BEFORE June 22. While we will be taking same day registrations, we want to minimize that effort as much as possible so we can focus on a smooth check-in for pre-registered participants.
2. If you are local to Cleveland, please pick-up your registration from 5 pm - 9 pm Friday. This will reduce our volunteer workload and check-in time for our out-of-town participants Saturday morning
3. At check-in you will receive your t-shirt, wrist-band, bib number, and your board/kayak will be numbered.
4. PLEASE consider pre-staging your board/kayak Friday afternoon in our secure grass corral on the Cleveland Metroparks Merwin's Wharf property. There will be a guard stationed and a Blazing Paddles representative on-site until the CRF and Merwin's gates are locked. This will GREATLY help our efforts to accommodate our out-of-town guests checking-in Saturday morning.
5. On event day, your numbered wrist-band and vessel number must match in order for the board/kayak to be 1) moved to the river and 2) loaded onto a car after Blazing Paddles.
6. There is NO on-site parking at Rivergate Park or Merwin's Wharf. We have secured free parking for Blazing Paddles participants and volunteers at the Thunderbird site at 1970 Carter Rd., Cleveland OH 44113. Google map link here. PLEASE allow yourself time to park and walk the 1,000 yards to the Merwin's Wharf site. 
7. There is a MANDATORY safety briefing at 7:15 a.m. at Merwin's Wharf Saturday morning.
8. There is seating along the river at Merwin's Wharf, allowing you to relax after you check in Saturday morning.

11:00 pm = Merwin's Wharf gates close

Saturday, June 22

5:30 - 7:30 am On-site registration, packet pickup & boat drop off

MANDATORY BLAZING PADDLES MEETING: 7:15 am - Course details, safety procedures and participant questions.

7:30 am Blazing Paddles participants can begin entering the Cuyahoga River

8:15 am Deadline to claim rental boats at Merwin's Wharf

8:30 am Blazing Paddles Start (from Columbus Rd. Bridge start line)
(NOTE: this is a "mass start" event. This is a work in progress and we will better define the starting process by Friday afternoon. Thanks you for your patience).

8:45 am Put-in closes (last call for late arrivals wanting to participate in Blazing Paddles after the field has departed).

11:30 am Presentation of race awards

12:00 pm - Deadline for Blazing Paddles participants to take out at Merwin’s Wharf docks

2:00 pm - Deadline to pick-up boats from take-out (this may change if there is enough demand for participants to keep their boats at Merwin's so they can enjoy the Cuyahoga50 Recreation Hub)

Note: All paddlers are required to have a PFD. We also recommend all paddlers carry a cell phone with them. Also, use sunscreen and bring WATER! Blazing Paddles is a rain or shine event and no-refunds will be given.

SAFETY NOTICE

The Cleveland Rowing Foundation’s Western Reserve Rowing Association is holding a 500 meter sprint race just downriver from the Blazing Paddles put-in, with its finish line and recovery zone falling directly across from Merwin’s Wharf dock. Eight-person rowing shells will be approaching their finish line at race speed and will not have the ability to stop or veer away from anyone in their path. Paddlefest participants should keep their boats/boards close to the Merwin's Wharf side of the river as they head upriver, and as they return, so as to avoid injury to all participants [see highlighted area on map below). Once paddlefest participants pass under the Columbus Road Bridge, you may take up the entire width of the Cuyahoga River. See river map below.

See the Course!