Welcome to Paddle Round the Island 2022!!!

***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 against the tides?

Paddle On of Williamsburg presents our Second Annual Paddle Round the Island Race on June 11, 2022, at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. There will be 2 races: a 2.5-mile race on Gordon Creek (starting at 9 am) and a 7-mile race around Gordon Island (starting at 9:05/9:10 am depending on your paddle craft). High-tide for this area is 10:48 am so be ready to tackle those tides! (Race times may be adjusted as we get closer to race day.)

Note: This is NOT a closed course, so there will 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.

NOTE: WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS, SO PLEASE CONTACT RACE ADMIN IF INTERESTED!!

This race is open to paddlers of all levels ages 16+. All participants who register before 05/30/22 will receive an awesome T-Shirt!  

Awards* for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be given out for male and female in the following categories:
7 mi - Surf Ski Kayak
7 mi - Kayaks
7 mi - OC-1
7 mi - Paddleboards under 12.6
7 mi - Paddleboards 12.6 and over
7 mi - Prone
2.5 mi - Paddleboards under 12.6
2.5 mi - Paddleboards 12.6 and over

A post-race awards ceremony & celebration will be held at Billsburg Brewery starting at 11:00am. There is plenty of parking and you are always allowed to bring in your own chairs and blankets. The raffle will continue at Billsburg, so bring your CASH!!! The awards ceremony will start around 12 - that should give everyone time to grab a beer and some food from the food truck. Billsburg is offering $1.00 off to all involved in the race - either show your bib or wear your race Tshirt!!

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:

$35.00   Early Bird Pricing Jan 2022 - March 13, 2022 

$45.00   Regular Pricing  March 14, 2022 - May 15, 2022 

$50.00   Late Registration May 16, 2022 - June 10, 2022 (or when we reach our cap of 125)  

 *No T-shirt guaranteed after May 30, 2022

All competitors are required to have a USCG-approved PFD on their paddlecraft (if it's a waist pack, you must wear it), and all paddleboard competitors must also wear a leash.

***RACE IS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF MOTHER NATURE AND WILL BE CANCELLED IN CASE OF DANGEROUS WEATHER (THREAT OF LIGHTNING, DANGEROUS CURRENTS, OR HIGH WINDS). 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 RACER SAFETY*****************

Hello racers!!

We're super excited to host our second Paddle Round the Island Race at Chickahominy Riverfront Park on June 11, 2022, 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 121 racers (as of 6/5/22) paddling the waterways and 20+ volunteers both on land and in the water. Should be an exciting day!! If for any reason you need to opt out of the race (we truly hope not!) or if you need to change your race length or paddle craft, please let us know ASAP. The site and course maps referenced below are posted here 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 

7-8:15 AM Check-in at Registration Tent and On-the-water Warm-up

8:30 AM Mandatory Racer Safety Meeting (you can be in the water)

9 AM 2.5-mile Race START

9:05 AM 7-mile Race Kayaks, Surf Skis, OCs START

9:10 AM 7-mile Race SUPs, Prones START

11 AM Post-race Party, Awards, and Raffle Prizes Announced (at Billsburg Brewery)

12 PM Racers Must Clear the Course (safety boats and support staff will be gone)

Race Day Information

1. All racers MUST check-in at the registration tent by 8:15 AM to confirm their race length and paddle craft, and to pick up their race bib, t-shirt (for those that registered prior to May 30), and swag bag. 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 as you cross the finish. 

3. Arrive Early! Parking is first-come, first-serve and there is a bike race happening at the same time in the same area. A large grassy parking area is adjacent to the launch area (and is designated for paddlers only) 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 paddle craft 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 may be provided to the winners as soon as they are determined - if you need to leave early.)

6. The 2.5-mile race starts at 9 AM and the 7-mile race has two starts depending on your paddle craft: kayakers, surf skis, and outrigger canoes start at 9:05 AM and SUPs and prone paddlers start at 9:10 AM. You will be given a 1-minute warning prior to race start and then a 10-second countdown. 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 and Gatorade, if needed.

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

Racer Safety

1. All paddlers must have a PFD and signaling device (whistle) on board. Waist PFDs MUST be warn, while vest PFDs can be on your paddle craft (I encourage everyone to wear their PFDs!). All paddleboarders must wear a leash.

2. Once you check-in, please feel free to enter the water whenever you are ready.

3. All racers MUST attend the pre-race safety meeting at 8:30 am. We will review the water conditions (wind/weather/tides/depth concerns) and any other pertinent details related to the courses. You can be in the water during the safety meeting (we will have a megaphone).

4. 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. 7-mile racers on paddle boards (SUP and prone) should hang out at the back, as they start last.

5. This is a shot-gun start. Please make sure to start with the correct race and be in the water and ready to go! (2.5-mile starts at 9 AM and 7-mile starts at 9:05 AM for kayakers/surf skis/outrigger canoes and 9:10 AM for SUPs/prones)

6. Please review the course maps prior to race day. 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. Watch out for shallow spots at the junction of Chick River with Nettles Creek (don't go too close to the wetland shore) and within Nayses Bay (keep the white PVC pipes on your left).

7. 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.

8. 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). 

9. 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.

10. High tide is at 10:48 AM, so you may be paddling against the tide for a portion of your race (on the last half). You have been warned! :)

11. 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 like last year!

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

13. If you experience a problem, please notify the first on-the-water volunteer you see or raise your paddle immediately if you cannot continue. Safety volunteers can assist you by towing or contacting boat support if needed.

14. Please remember that we all have a duty to respond if a fellow paddler is in need. This is not an Olympic trial - the safety of our fellow paddlers is much more important. Please help them to safety first, and then continue to race.

15. 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 are watching the weather (ugh!!) and will make a final safety/weather determination on Friday, June 10.

Thanks so much and please reach out with any questions!! We look forward to another awesome race!!