by Troy Hendricks, North Central Regional Rep
Once a year for the last 23 years, in early August, the shipping Highway of the Ohio River is shut down to commercial traffic for six hours. This is done so that over 2,000 paddlers can participate in The Ohio River Paddlefest. The paddlers downriver with stand-up paddleboards (SUP), iSUP, kayaks, canoes, ocean canoes (OCs), and surf skis paddle nine miles downriver passing under seven bridges near Cincinnati.
This event is unique! To begin the day, there is a race for almost any craft. This year 30 racers were riding a SUP! While paddling there are at least three boats with bands that play a variety of recognizable music. This is a great way to ease a racer's mind, distract them from the monotony of nine miles, and put a smile on your face as you paddle on by. My favorite song this year was "If I Had a Million $" by the Barenaked Ladies. The festival also has shuttle buses that move passengers between the start and end of their paddle.
With so many paddlers, Friday night is used to stage the watercraft for a smooth start to the paddle in the morning. To make the process more enjoyable, the Paddlefest organizes an Exposition. Paddlers can pick up their race number and Paddlefest hat, learn about water conservation, check out some of the latest paddling gear, and swap used gear. Other exhibitors are conservation-based and educate others about improving our environment. For entertainment, the festival has a playground, food and drink trucks, and a small concert area where a bandplays for several hours during the exhibition.
The race always starts on time at 7 am every year after a word from the wonderful race director and fellow North Central Regional Rep, Adrian Angell. The race begins heading upriver for 0.1 miles to assist in creating an even starting line. This also allows spectators to see their favorite paddler twice before the finish line. Many photographers are at the event and share their pictures online later for paddlers to see. Videos of most of the race finishers are shared on Facebook as well.
This year, the Men's 14 ft SUP category was tight. The top 9 paddlers finished only 10 minutes apart. There was literally a gut-wrenching finish for third as Randall Winer (OH) beat out Michael Weidman (KY) and Randy Rair (OH) by less than 20 seconds, then emptied his stomach on the river. Kirk Bumgarner (from TN) placed first and Alex Sandler (MI) placed second. Betsy Duke (IL) took first for the women's 14 ft SUP category followed by Rebecca Striet (WI) and, first-time racer, Elizabeth Glotfelty (OH).
At the finish line, racers received free water or a recovery drink. After stowing your craft, food trucks, and tens for beverages, ice cream, and memorabilia were available for everyone. The oak canopy offered plenty of shade and a live band was playing, which made it enjoyable to sit and recover while chatting with old and new friends. The awards happened in front of the Southern Most Point Bouy. It is fun to see the winners receive their awards. Another unique piece of this event is the constant stream of recreational paddlers coming off the Ohio River highway while racers sit and enjoy the after-race time of the Ohio River Paddlefest.
