PADDLE BATTLE 2025
In support of our ongoing work to conserve, protect, and promote the Appomattox River for all to enjoy, FOLAR has organized the annual Paddle Battle on the Appomattox River since 2007.
The Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) is excited to present to you the 17th annual PADDLE BATTLE on the scenic Appomattox River!
This annual event brings folks together from all across the region as we celebrate the river and all it has to offer by winding through beautiful marshy areas filled with wildlife. We welcome paddlers of ALL LEVELS, and you have a choice of a 10-mile Race, a 10-mile Leisure Paddle, or a 2-mile Guided Paddle. This section of river is flatwater and tidal, and this year we're paddling DOWNSTREAM.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES (*depending on your selection):
• Shuttle rides to and from parking areas*
• Morning snacks*
• Lunch
• Paddle Battle t-shirt
• Time wristband
• And handcrafted awards (for our race winners)*
We offer discounted registration for youth, military members & first responders, and educators. Please email FOLAR's Communications & Marketing Manager, Jackie, at [email protected] to receive your coupon code.
Finish line activities include lunch with a scenic view at the Hopewell City Marina where we'll sell refreshments and new, fun merchandise!
This annual event brings folks together from all across the region as we celebrate the river and all it has to offer by winding through beautiful marshy areas filled with wildlife. We welcome paddlers of ALL LEVELS, and you have a choice of a 10-mile Race, a 10-mile Leisure Paddle, or a 2-mile Guided Paddle. This section of river is flatwater and tidal, and this year we're paddling DOWNSTREAM.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES (*depending on your selection):
• Shuttle rides to and from parking areas*
• Morning snacks*
• Lunch
• Paddle Battle t-shirt
• Time wristband
• And handcrafted awards (for our race winners)*
We offer discounted registration for youth, military members & first responders, and educators. Please email FOLAR's Communications & Marketing Manager, Jackie, at [email protected] to receive your coupon code.
Finish line activities include lunch with a scenic view at the Hopewell City Marina where we'll sell refreshments and new, fun merchandise!
Date & Time
Saturday, September 27
7:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
7:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
start Location
Rotary Park, Pocahontas Island
149 Rolfe St
Petersburg, VA 23803
149 Rolfe St
Petersburg, VA 23803
fINISH LOCATION
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
PARKING LOCATION
Hopewell City Overlook
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
906 N 21st Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860
SCHEDULE
7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
SHUTTLE RIDES
Shuttles will take folks from the parking area at Hopewell City Marina to the check-in and race area in Petersburg.
7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN
Check-in at Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg. Parking is available at this location.
9:00 a.m.
LEISURE PADDLE START
Off you go! We'll see you at the finish at Hopewell City Marina.
10:00 a.m.
RACE START
The battle begins! We'll see you at the finish at Hopewell City Marina.
11:00 a.m.
GUIDED PADDLE START
Easy 2-mile guided paddle with all your gear and equipment included! This is a great way to explore the beauty of the Appomattox River.
12:00 P.m.
AWARDS CEREMONY & LUNCH
Lunch is on us! Sit back, relax, and soak up the sun as you've finished a morning on the river. Check out FOLAR's merchandise available for sale and drinks provided by Trapezium Brewing Co.
12:30 - 1:30 P.m.
SHUTTLE RIDES
Shuttles will take folks back to Petersburg to pick up their boats that are being transported via trailer down the river.
PADDLE OPTIONS
KAYAK RENTALS AVAILABLE FOR LEISURE PADDLE PARTICIPANTS
This year the race is going DOWNSTREAM with the outgoing tide. SECURE YOUR RENTAL DURING YOUR REGISTRATION (the registration fee is increased by $10 for day-of registrations).
*Properly worn 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.
This year the race is going DOWNSTREAM with the outgoing tide. SECURE YOUR RENTAL DURING YOUR REGISTRATION (the registration fee is increased by $10 for day-of registrations).
*Properly worn 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.
10-MILE RACE
10:00 a.m.
Starts at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and finishes at Hopewell City Marina. The finish line is marked by a string of hanging flags so turn the corner into the marina and keep paddling through the finish line! First place handcrafted trophies will be given, one in each of the categories below. An additional trophy will be given for Fastest Overall, which anyone is eligible to win.
Starts at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and finishes at Hopewell City Marina. The finish line is marked by a string of hanging flags so turn the corner into the marina and keep paddling through the finish line! First place handcrafted trophies will be given, one in each of the categories below. An additional trophy will be given for Fastest Overall, which anyone is eligible to win.
10-MILE LEISURE PADDLE
9:00 a.m.
Starts at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and finishes at Hopewell City Marina. This paddle typically lasts 2-3 hours depending on the paddler and boat type. This section of river is flat water and tidal, and this year we are going DOWNSTREAM with the outgoing tide.
Starts at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and finishes at Hopewell City Marina. This paddle typically lasts 2-3 hours depending on the paddler and boat type. This section of river is flat water and tidal, and this year we are going DOWNSTREAM with the outgoing tide.
2-MILE GUIDED PADDLE
11:00 a.m.
Easy, guided out-and-back 2-mile paddle and a great experience for beginners. The team from Virginia Outside will provide your boat, and we will have a professional guide from Rappahannock Adventures leading the group. Registration opens at 10:15 a.m. at the Hopewell City Marina and finishes up in time for lunch.
Easy, guided out-and-back 2-mile paddle and a great experience for beginners. The team from Virginia Outside will provide your boat, and we will have a professional guide from Rappahannock Adventures leading the group. Registration opens at 10:15 a.m. at the Hopewell City Marina and finishes up in time for lunch.
RACE INFO
RACE CATEGORIES:
KAYAKS OVER 16': One person in a single kayak that is 16' or larger
- FEMALE
- MALE
KAYAKS UNDER 16’: One person in a single kayak that is 16' or smaller
- FEMALE
- MALE
UNLIMITED: Canoes, SUPs, any craft with 2+ paddlers, skulls, rowing shells, pedal kayaks, etc. Must be human-powered and adhere to general race safety rules. Racers in this category (and in all of the above categories) are eligible to win the Fastest Overall trophy.
Race director’s decisions are final.
KAYAKS OVER 16': One person in a single kayak that is 16' or larger
- FEMALE
- MALE
KAYAKS UNDER 16’: One person in a single kayak that is 16' or smaller
- FEMALE
- MALE
UNLIMITED: Canoes, SUPs, any craft with 2+ paddlers, skulls, rowing shells, pedal kayaks, etc. Must be human-powered and adhere to general race safety rules. Racers in this category (and in all of the above categories) are eligible to win the Fastest Overall trophy.
Race director’s decisions are final.
COURSE MAP
SHUTTLES/PARKING
Shuttles will run to and from the start and finish from 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
MORNING SHUTTLE (7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.): Drop your boat at Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg in the morning. Drive to Hopewell City Marina to park and take the shuttle back to Petersburg to start your paddle. Shuttle rides begin at 7:00 a.m. and the last shuttle for leisure paddlers leaves at 8:30 a.m.
AFTERNOON SHUTTLE (12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.): Park at the launch/registration site at Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island. At the finish in Hopewell, a shuttle will take you back to Petersburg and a trailer will return your boat to Petersburg. The last shuttle and trailer leave Hopewell at 1:30 p.m.
PARKING ON YOUR OWN: You leave a second vehicle at the Hopewell City Marina and proceed to Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg for the start with your boat. No shuttle required.
MORNING SHUTTLE (7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.): Drop your boat at Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg in the morning. Drive to Hopewell City Marina to park and take the shuttle back to Petersburg to start your paddle. Shuttle rides begin at 7:00 a.m. and the last shuttle for leisure paddlers leaves at 8:30 a.m.
AFTERNOON SHUTTLE (12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.): Park at the launch/registration site at Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island. At the finish in Hopewell, a shuttle will take you back to Petersburg and a trailer will return your boat to Petersburg. The last shuttle and trailer leave Hopewell at 1:30 p.m.
PARKING ON YOUR OWN: You leave a second vehicle at the Hopewell City Marina and proceed to Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg for the start with your boat. No shuttle required.
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 belive that the weather or conditions present an unsafe situation. In the event of inclement weather, Paddle Battle WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED, but may be adapted/changed depending on the following circumstances:
• RAIN: the event will NOT be cancelled due to light rain showers alone.
• HIGH WINDS/WATER: - The event will be cancelled if an official warning is issued.
• LIGHTNING: If thunderstorms/lightning is forecasted for the event start, the event will be subject to cancellation. If lightning is visible the event will be immediately cancelled.
The day prior to the event, an inclement weather update will be emailed to participants by noon. Event updates are available on the registration website and FOLAR's social media pages. If the event is cancelled, an email notification will be sent regarding the pickup arrangements for event t-shirts and merchandise purchased. Please stay aware of the weather and dress accordingly.
• RAIN: the event will NOT be cancelled due to light rain showers alone.
• HIGH WINDS/WATER: - The event will be cancelled if an official warning is issued.
• LIGHTNING: If thunderstorms/lightning is forecasted for the event start, the event will be subject to cancellation. If lightning is visible the event will be immediately cancelled.
The day prior to the event, an inclement weather update will be emailed to participants by noon. Event updates are available on the registration website and FOLAR's social media pages. If the event is cancelled, an email notification will be sent regarding the pickup arrangements for event t-shirts and merchandise purchased. Please stay aware of the weather and dress accordingly.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
All proceeds from this event support the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR)'s conservation and stewardship programs. Thank you for making the Appomattox River enjoyable for ALL!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND SPONSORS
Celebri-Tees
Hopewell, VA
Thank You to our Partners
BECOME A SPONSOR
Want to support your community and be a part of FOLAR’s mission? Read more about our Sponsorship Opportunities and contact Executive Director, Wendy Austin, at [email protected] for more details.