June 21-22, 2024 – Sixth Annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest

The Blazing Paddles Paddlefest returns to Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River on Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, 2024. The sixth annual Paddlefest honors the scenic and industrious Cuyahoga River, offering a blend of recreation and competitive racing.

Attendees can look forward to two days of paddling adventures, whether they are seeking a leisurely float or the thrill of a race.

Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle

Registration is now open for the Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle. Participants will take a scenic 9.8-mile journey along the Cuyahoga River, passing riverfront landmarks, including pyramids of sand and stone and steelmaking plants at the head of the river.

Race Details

Registration is also open for the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest races. Paddlers can choose from three race distances: 3.2 miles, 6.8 miles, and a challenging 14.2 miles.

All paddlers, whether recreational or competitive, will launch and recover from the Cleveland Rowing Foundation/Cleveland Metroparks’ Merwin’s Wharf docks at Rivergate Park. Paddlers will have exclusive access to the Cuyahoga River for six hours both days.

Here are some more important pieces of information for Paddlefest attendees:

• Registration: Make sure to register early, because the Paddlefest has sold out in the past two years. You cannot register on the day you are attending the event.
• T-Shirts: Participants should all get a t-shirt, but you should register early to make sure t-shirts are still available.

For more information and to register, visit the event’s official pages on Race Roster and PaddleGuru. Watch the promotional video to catch a glimpse of last year’s excitement and get ready for an epic adventure on the Cuyahoga River.