RACE RESULTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED! 

********************  RACE SCHEDULE CHANGE         PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE PAGE FOR UPDATES  ************************

***REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY AT 75 RACERS.***

****RACERS - PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM FOR GENERAL RACE INFO AND SAFETY DETAILS****

Sure, paddling against your fellow competitors is fun and exciting, but why not kick it up a notch by racing to beat the changing tides?

Paddle On of Williamsburg presents our first  Paddle Round the Island Race on June 5, 2021 at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. There will be 2 races: a 7-mile race around Gordon Island (starting at 8:45 am) and a 2.5-mile race on Gordon Creek (starting at 8:30 am). High-tide for this area is 10:30 am so be ready to tackle those tides!

Note: This is not a closed course, so there could be boat traffic.

This beautiful wetland course offers amazing wildlife scenery as well as an athletic challenge. To help support and protect our local wildlife, the proceeds from the race will benefit the Tidewater Wildlife Rescue (a subsidiary of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge). There will also be a raffle benefiting the organization, and if you bring them some much needed supplies you will earn a raffle ticket!  Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase on race day so don't forget your cash.

This race is open to Paddleboarders and Kayakers of all levels ages 16+. All participants who register before 05/16/21 will receive an awesome T-Shirt!  

Awards* will be given out for:
7 mi - Surf Ski Kayaks: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
7 mi - Kayaks: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
7 mi - Paddleboards under 12.6:  1st, 2nd, and 3rd
7 mi - Paddleboards 12.6 and over: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
2.5 mi - Paddleboards under 12.6:  1st, 2nd, and 3rd
2.5 mi - Paddleboards 12.6 and over: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

*There must be 5 crafts in any race category to receive an award.*

A post-race awards ceremony & celebration will be held at Billsburg Brewery beginning at 1pm.  Bring your race bib to receive a $1 off drafts.  There will be 2 food trucks available for all noshing needs and a DJ providing entertainment.  We will have a reserved area for us but you are welcome to bring your own chairs or blankets for relaxing.  You can also bring food if you want but no outside alcohol is allowed at the brewery.

Camping is available at Chickahominy Riverfront Park, so make it a race weekend vacation by reserving a campsite at the following link https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/2769/Camping and enjoy all the attractions that the Historic Triangle has to offer.

Pricing Details:

$30.00   Early Bird Pricing 03/06/2021 - 04/06/2021 

$35.00   Regular Pricing  04/07/2021 - 05/15/2021 

$45.00   Late Registration 05/16/2021 - 05/28/2021 (or when we reach our cap of 75)  

 *No T-shirt guaranteed after 5/15

Board rentals & equipment available through Paddle On of Williamsburg. Limited quantities.
Reach out to Lori at paddleonwmbg@outlook.com to reserve your equipment.

All competitors are required to wear USCG-approved PFD and a leash.

***RACE IS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF MOTHER NATURE AND WILL BE CANCELLED IN CASE OF DANGEROUS WEATHER.  THIS RACE IS SUBJECT TO ALL RELEVANT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AT THE TIME OF THE RACE.  DETAILS WILL BE IN PRE RACE EMAIL.***

For us, it's not just about winning a race, it's about creating community and enjoying nature together. Join us and create a beautiful memory!

*****************RACE DAY INFO AND SAFETY************************************

Hello racers!!

We're super excited to host our first ever Paddle Round the Island race at Chickahominy Riverfront Park on June 5, 2021, and we're so glad that you are joining us!! Race day is a week away, so we wanted to provide you with the latest schedule of events, information, and safety guidelines. We have 75 racers paddling the waterways and around 20 volunteers both on land and in the water. Should be an exciting day!! Also, if for any reason you need to opt out of the race (we truly hope not!), please let us know ASAP. We now have a waitlist and would like to accommodate those on the list if for some reason you can't make it. The site and course maps referenced below are attached and also posted in PaddleGuru. Please read the information below carefully, so we can all be safe on race day. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions - Your Paddle Round the Island Race Committee  

Race Day Schedule 

7 - 7:45 AM Check-in at Registration Tent and On-the-Water Warm-up

8 AM Racer Safety Meeting (Mandatory)

8:30 AM - 2.5-mile Race START

8:45 AM 7-mile Race START

12 PM Racers Must Clear the Course

12:30 PM - Post-race Party, Awards, and Raffle Prizes Announced (Billsburg Brewery)

Race Day Information

1. All racers MUST check-in at the registration tent by 7:45 AM to confirm their race length and paddle craft type and pick up their race bib and t-shirt (for those that registered prior to May 15). The tent will be next to the launch area (Fishing Pier, just under the Route 5 Bridge).

2. Race bibs must be worn on the course for timing to count. Please wear your race number on the left side of your body so time-keepers can easily see the number. 

3. Arrive Early! Parking is first-come, first-serve. A large grassy parking area is adjacent to the launch area but will fill up. Late arrivals will need to drop off their board at the launch/staging area and then park in the field on the opposite side of the road. You may keep your paddlecraft and equipment with your vehicle or in the staging area.

4. Bring Cash! To raise even more money for Tidewater Wildlife Rescue (a subsidiary of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge), we are selling raffle tickets onsite for some amazing prizes. Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket.

5. Raffle prizes will be drawn and Race Medals will be announced at the post-race party at Billsburg Brewery (2054 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA - about 10 minutes from the park). You do not need to be present to win a prize or collect your medal, but items will not be mailed (unless it's a digital gift certificate). (Due to the time differences on the courses and the lag time from start to finish, medals will be provided to the winners as soon as they are determined.)

6. The 2.5-mile race starts at 8:30 AM and the 7-mile race starts at 8:45 AM. Please make sure that you start with the correct race.

7. Water and snacks will be available onsite. On-the-water volunteers may also have water, as needed.

8. Restrooms are available onsite at the adjacent Pool/Picnic Pavillion.

Racer Safety

1. PFDs and leashes must be worn while on the water.

2. All racers MUST attend the pre-race safety meeting at 8 am. We will review the water conditions (wind/weather/tides/depth concerns) and any other pertinent details related to the courses.

3. Launching will take place on both sides of the fishing pier, if conditions allow. Those in the 2.5-mile race will line up in front of the Route 5 bridge (as they start first) and the 7-mile racers will hang out behind the bridge until the 2.5-mile racers have cleared the start area.

4. Please review the course maps prior to race day. They are attached and posted in paddle guru. Racers following the 7-mile course will circle Gordon Island clockwise, as indicated on the map (Chickahominy River to Nettles Creek to Nayses Bay to Gordon Creek to Chickahominy River). Buoys and race volunteers will help mark the course. Buoys will generally be placed on your right side.

5. The 2.5-mile course will head up the Chickahominy River, turn into Gordon Creek, and then turn around at the yellow buoy just past the floating dock. You must go around the buoy (keeping it on your left side) and then return to the start to complete the 2.5 miles.

6. This is NOT A CLOSED COURSE. All racers must abide by water safety guidelines and rules of right-of-way. You MUST generally paddle on the right-hand side/half of the course waterway (except where noted or when safely passing another racer or when following the flow of Nettles Creek), and you MUST give way to all other watercraft (including rowers). 

7. Racers may cross over to the left-hand side of the course on Gordon Creek, as they near the Chickahominy River, after passing the concrete boat ramp AND the final No Wake Zone marker.

8. High tide is at 10:30 AM, so you may be paddling against the tide for a portion of your race (on the last half). You have been warned! :)

9. Please bring water with you on the course, especially the 7-mile course. Electrolytes are highly recommended for the 7-milers, especially if we have a sunny and hot day!

10. There will be a sweep boat following along on the 7-mile course. Other boats will be stationed along the 7-mile course as well in case you need help.

11. If you experience a problem, please notify the first on-the-water volunteer you see. They can assist you by towing or contacting boat support if needed.

12. Unfortunately we are subject to Mother Nature. The race will proceed as planned, rain or shine, as long as conditions are safe for racers (i.e., no lightning, no extreme winds/waves). We will make a final safety/weather determination on Friday, June 4.

Thanks so much and please reach out with any questions!!