Welcome to Paddle Round the Island 2025!!! REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 1!!!!!

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

Join us for our 5th annual Paddle Round the Island Race on June 21, 2025, at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. There will be 2 races: a 2.25-mile race on Gordon Creek and a 6.5-mile race around Gordon Island. High-tide for this area is 9:42 am so be ready to tackle those tides! (Race start times will be adjusted as we get closer to race day.)

This beautiful wetland course offers amazing wildlife scenery as well as an athletic challenge. To help support and protect our local wildlife and the waters within, the proceeds from the race will benefit Tidewater Wildlife Rescue (a subsidiary of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge) and the James River Association. There will also be a raffle benefiting these organizations, so don't forget to bring your cash!

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

This race is open to paddlers of all levels ages 16+. 

Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be given out for men and women in the following categories:
6.5 mi - Surfski Kayak
6.5 mi - Kayak
6.5 mi - OC-1
6.5 mi - OC-2*
6.5 mi - SUP under 12'6"
6.5 mi - SUP 12'6" and over
6.5 mi - Prone
2.25 mi - SUP under 12'6"
2.25 mi - SUP 12'6" and over
2.25 mi - Kayak
2.25 mi - Prone

*awarded as a mixed category only

Pre-race day events on Friday, June 20, including a social paddle and early packet pick-up party at Billsburg Brewery. Even more fun reasons to make it a race weekend! Stay tuned for details!

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 trucks. 

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: REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 18!! 

Jan 1 - Feb 2: $48
Feb 3 - May 17: $58
May 18 - June 18: $68 (t-shirt/tank top not guaranteed - register early and save some cash!)

Your registration comes with a t-shirt or tank top (please specify when you register) and an awesome day of fun! No registrations accepted after June 18. No same day registration allowed!!!

***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). AS THIS IS A 100% VOLUNTEER-LED RACE, THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS ISSUED. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO RESCHEDULE THE RACE IF POSSIBLE. 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!

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING OUR RACE?? We're looking for fun raffle prizes and swag giveaways for 2025!! Please reach out to the race directors by clicking the contact button if interested.

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? Our race depends on volunteer support! Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius event f you can help!  UPDATE WITH SIGN UP GENIUS LINK

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Schedule of Events 

Friday, June 20 - Billsburg Brewery/James City County Marina

5-6:30 PM Social Paddle Meet-up, Billsburg Brewery/James City County Marina paddle craft launch
5-9 PM Pre-race Packet Pick-up party at Billsburg Brewery with music by Barry Manilow's Wardrobe (80s alternative) from 6-9 PM 

We will have the registration/check-in set up outside at Billsburg (look for the flags). Stop by to confirm your race length and paddle craft, drop off or sign the waiver, ask us questions, and pick up your race bib and t-shirt (for those that registered prior to May 17). You can also pick up your race packet on Saturday morning at the race.

Bring Cash! To raise even more money for Tidewater Wildlife Rescue (a subsidiary of Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge) and the James River Association, we are selling raffle tickets onsite for some amazing prizes. Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket or 5 for $20.

Saturday, June 21 - RACE DAY - Chickahominy Riverfront Park!! 

7-8 AM Registration/Check-in 

PLEASE NOTE: All racers MUST stop by the check-in tent on Saturday to receive your racer wristband. For those racers that did not come to Billsburg on Friday, you will need to register/check-in to confirm your race length and paddle craft, drop off or sign the waiver, ask us any questions, and to pick up your race bib and t-shirt (for those that registered prior to May 17).

8:15 AM Racer Safety Meeting (can be on the water)

8:30 AM 2.25-mile START (SUPS, kayaks)

8:35 AM 6.5-mile START (kayaks, surfskis, OCs)

8:40 AM 6.5-mile START (SUPS)

11 AM Post-race Party at Billsburg Brewery (no rush, be there by 12)

12 PM Awards and Raffle Prizes Announced

**All racers must clear the course by 11:30 AM**