PADDLE BATTLE 2026
Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) is excited to present the 18th annual PADDLE BATTLE on the scenic lower Appomattox River!
Celebrate the river and all it has to offer as you wind through its beautiful tidal flatwaters. We welcome paddlers of all experience levels: choose from a 10-mile Race, a 10-mile Leisure Paddle, or a short Guided Paddle. Stay for the Finish Line Party where there will be an award ceremony for race winners as well as food and drinks for all participants, and FOLAR merchandise available for purchase.
Registrations include:
• Shuttle rides from parking area to paddle start
• Launch snacks
• Food and drinks at the Finish Line Party
• Paddle Battle t-shirt
• Participation in the paddle of your choice
Celebrate the river and all it has to offer as you wind through its beautiful tidal flatwaters. We welcome paddlers of all experience levels: choose from a 10-mile Race, a 10-mile Leisure Paddle, or a short Guided Paddle. Stay for the Finish Line Party where there will be an award ceremony for race winners as well as food and drinks for all participants, and FOLAR merchandise available for purchase.
Registrations include:
• Shuttle rides from parking area to paddle start
• Launch snacks
• Food and drinks at the Finish Line Party
• Paddle Battle t-shirt
• Participation in the paddle of your choice
Date & Time
Saturday, September 26
2:00 p.m.. - 7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.. - 7:00 p.m.
PARKING LOCATIONS
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
Hopewell City Overlook
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
Hopewell City Overlook
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
PADDLe LAUNCH
Rotary Park, Pocahontas Island
149 Rolfe St
Petersburg, VA 23803
149 Rolfe St
Petersburg, VA 23803
fINISH Line party
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
PADDLE OPTIONS
Properly worn Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) are required. All participants are required to complete a liability waiver. Parent/Guardian signature is required for all persons under 18 years of age. Persons under 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult during the entire duration of the event.
LEISURE PADDLE
Rent or bring your own boat for a casual trip down the last 10 miles of the Appomattox River. From Petersburg to where it meets the James River in Hopewell, the Appomattox is smooth and wide, with forested banks dotted with residences. The path to Hopewell Marina will be well-marked.
If you're bringing your own boat, you'll drop it off at Rotary Park in Petersburg first, then you'll take your car to Hopewell City Marina or Overlook. You'll hop on the shuttle from there to check in at Rotary Park by 1:45PM. Paddle launches will begin at 2:00 PM. Expect to finish in 2-3 hours.
RACE
Battle to be the Fastest Overall or a winner in your category: Single Kayak under 12', Single Kayak Over 12', Single Canoe, or Unlimited (tandems, SUPs, skulls, rowing shells, pedal kayaks, or other human-powered types). Bring your own boat, paddles, and PFD.
You'll drop your boat off at Rotary Park in Petersburg first, then you'll take your car to Hopewell City Marina or Overlook. You'll hop on the shuttle to check in at Rotary Park - the last one leaves the Marina at 2:00PM. The race will begin promptly at 3:00PM and finish at a flag-marked finish line after a right turn into the Hopewell Marina.
GUIDED PADDLE
This paddle is a great option for beginners or casual paddlers. You'll be guided on a looping route with boats provided, seeing the sights of the Appomattox River as it transitions into the tidal wetlands of the James River.
Park at Hopewell City Marina or Overlook. This route starts and ends at the Hopewell Marina, and boats will be provided. Check in starting at 3:30PM and be back in time for the Finish Line Party at 5.
COURSE MAP
SCHEDULE
12:00-2:00 P.m.
SHUTTLE RIDES from Parking in Hopewell to Paddle Start in Petersburg
Last shuttle for leisure paddle leaves at 1:15 P.M.
Last shuttle for race leaves at 2:00 P.M.
Last shuttle for leisure paddle leaves at 1:15 P.M.
Last shuttle for race leaves at 2:00 P.M.
12:00 P.m.
CHECK-IN BEGINS for Leisure Paddle and Race participants
2:00 P.m.
LEISURE PADDLE LAUNCH/START at Rotary Park
3:00 P.m.
RACE LAUNCH/START at Rotary Park
3:30 P.m.
CHECK-IN BEGINS for Guided Paddle participants
4:00 P.m.
GUIDED PADDLE START at Hopewell Marina
5:00 P.m.
FINISH LINE PARTY with awards ceremony; lunch and beer available for purchase
SHUTTLES & PARKING
Shuttles will ferry participants in the Race and Leisure Paddle from the parking area to the boat launch in Petersburg. The shuttles only carry people, not boats, so remember to drop your boat off at Rotary Park before parking. Catch a Shuttle between 12PM and 2PM at Hopewell Marina. If you miss the last shuttle at 2PM, you must arrange your own transportation to Rotary Park (149 Rolfe St.) in time for the race to begin.
Please follow the directions of FOLAR's parking guides, who will direct you to the available parking lot. Do not park illegally on the street.
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
Hopewell City Overlook
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
Please follow the directions of FOLAR's parking guides, who will direct you to the available parking lot. Do not park illegally on the street.
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
Hopewell City Overlook
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICE
The safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff is our primary concern. As such, FOLAR reserves the right to cancel any event at any time if we believe that the weather or conditions present an unsafe situation. If lightning is visible while boaters are on the water or preparing to embark, the event will be immediately cancelled. Please stay aware of the weather forecast and dress accordingly for the event.
In the event of inclement weather, Paddle Battle may be adapted depending on the following circumstances:
• During mild rain the event will continue as scheduled.
• If an official warning for high winds and water is issued, the event will be postponed to the rain date.
• If thunderstorms/lightning is forecasted, the event will be postponed to the rain date.
The rain date is Sunday, September 27th, with the same schedule and locations. If conditions remain unsafe on the rain date, the event will be cancelled.
The day prior to the event, an inclement weather update will be emailed to participants by 5:00 p.m. Event updates will be posted on this registration website and FOLAR's facebook and instagram pages. If the event is cancelled, an email notification will be sent regarding the pickup arrangements for event t-shirts purchased with registrations. No refunds will be issued in the event of cancellation.
In the event of inclement weather, Paddle Battle may be adapted depending on the following circumstances:
• During mild rain the event will continue as scheduled.
• If an official warning for high winds and water is issued, the event will be postponed to the rain date.
• If thunderstorms/lightning is forecasted, the event will be postponed to the rain date.
The rain date is Sunday, September 27th, with the same schedule and locations. If conditions remain unsafe on the rain date, the event will be cancelled.
The day prior to the event, an inclement weather update will be emailed to participants by 5:00 p.m. Event updates will be posted on this registration website and FOLAR's facebook and instagram pages. If the event is cancelled, an email notification will be sent regarding the pickup arrangements for event t-shirts purchased with registrations. No refunds will be issued in the event of cancellation.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Celebri-Tees
Hopewell, VA
BECOME A SPONSOR
Do you represent an area business and want to increase your impact and outreach in the community? Download our sponsorships flyer and contact our Development Coordinator, Emily Galbraith.