Diverse group of 1,300 promotes 'beautiful river'

By Dan Klepal
Enquirer staff writer
More than 1,300 paddlers - everyone from Olympic canoeists to everyday
enthusiasts - gathered Saturday on the Ohio River for Paddlefest, the largest
canoe and kayaking event in the Midwest.

The number of paddlers was about a 25 percent increase over last year - whether
they were racing competitively through the six-mile route or taking their time
with a leisurely paddle stroke.

"It just keeps growing," said Brewster Rhoads, Paddlefest Committee chairman.
"It was thrilling to see so many people out on the river. It was a stunning day,
the weather was perfect and the wow factor was huge - as in, "Wow, this river is
far more beautiful than I ever imagined.' "

That's the point of the event.

The thought is that by paddling down a waterway more typically reserved for
barge traffic or speed boats, people will realize what the French did when they
named the Ohio "Belle Riviere," or the beautiful river. The hope is that they
also will be better stewards of the waterway, less likely to pollute and more
likely to volunteer for cleanup efforts.

Roland Muhlen, 62, a Bridgetown man and three-time Olympic canoeist (1972, 1976
and 1980), started canoeing before he even knew it was an Olympic sport. He won
a gold medal in the Pan American Games in 1976, but never placed in the top
three during Olympic competition.

Muhlen said he wants to support the Ohio River Way's effort to establish a canoe
and kayak water route along the river with a recreational and heritage greenway
trail.

"I just hope they make the river accessible to paddlers as well as hikers and
bikers," Muhlen said. "As long as we all support each other and work together,
it can happen."

Chris Brubaker, 26, a medical student at the University of Cincinnati, gave up
competitive kayaking to focus on his studies three years ago. But he always
makes time for Paddlefest.

"Now I just do this for fun," said Brubaker, who finished first in his age
group. "It's just a great event. Anytime you get 1,000 people out on the river,
it's going to make them more aware of it."

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