Wednesday, July 6, 2005
Paddlin' the Ohio
Join in on the fun at Paddlefest with a trip down the river
RICH SHIVENER | CIN WEEKLY



JUST THE FACTS
WHAT: Paddlefest 2005

WHEN: 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 8; and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,
July 9

WHE Four Seasons Marina, 4609 Kellogg Ave., East End. Finish line
celebration at Cincinnati Public Landing, downtown.

PRICE: Six-mile "2000 Paddles" Float Trip - $20 for adults 17 and older
and $10 for children under 16. Six-mile Adult/Youth Race - $30 for
adults (must be over age 28) and $10 for children 10-15. Nine-mile
Amateur Canoe and Kayak Race - $30 per racer. $15 for overnight
camping.

PARKING: Free at Four Seasons Marina

CONTACT: (513) 230-5228 or www.ohioriverway.org


WHAT'S UP WITH THE RIVER?
If you plan on paddling down the Ohio River, you most likely won't run
into any swing sets along the way. That's because the river is in much
better shape than it was before River Sweep took place on June 18.

Nearly 22,000 people volunteered to help during this annual clean up.
Volunteers found computers, bed springs, tires and all sorts of trash
and debris.

Even though River Sweep was a success, the Ohio is not exactly the best
place to swim. Jeanne Ison, the River Sweep coordinator, says that rain
causes sewage to leak into the Ohio River, which raises bacteria
levels. So if you happen to capsize, be sure not to swallow.

For more information on the River Sweep and how you can help, visit
www.orsanco.org.

Now that the Ohio River Sweep has passed, it's time to say goodbye to
barge traffic and hello to paddlers.

This weekend, the Ohio River Way, an organization that serves as the
regional cheerleader for the river, is bringing Paddlefest back to
Cincinnati. The Four Seasons Marina in East End is hosting Paddlefest
and will serve as the mecca for paddlers around the nation. Ed
Councill, a founding father of Paddlefest, considers this event much
more than just a trip down the river.

"It's a great opportunity to share something that we have had our lives
touched by, and that's the Ohio River and its tributaries. None of us
are in for the money, just the passion," Councill says.

And don't consider this award-winning event to be a small,
insiders-only affair, according to Brewster Rhoads, chairman of
Paddlefest. "We are considered to be the largest paddling event in the
Midwest," he says.

BECOME A PADDLING GURU
The first day of Paddlefest, known as The Ohio River Festival and
Paddle expo, has everything you need to get ready for the races on
Saturday. Starting at 3 p.m., instructors certified through the
American Canoe Association will provide a paddling class every hour
until 8 p.m.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to rent canoes at Paddlefest, but
there will be a silent auction and a local outfitters expo; this is
where you can purchase new or old kayaks and canoes.

If paddling is not for you, there will be live music from Jake Speed
and the Freddies later in the evening. Make sure you bring your guitar
too, since an acoustic jam will fire up after the band plays. For film
buffs, award-winning films from the National Paddling Film Festival are
being screened from 8 to 11 p.m.

TAKE A LITTLE TRIP
If you're a morning person, make sure you get up early Saturday to
travel down the Ohio River. (You can even camp overnight Friday if you
want.) Last July, more than 1,000 people paddled down the river in
different canoes and kayaks.

"It's a good way to support the Ohio River, and it's a good way to take
advantage of our natural resources," says Eileen McKain, volunteer
coordinator of Paddlefest.

While experts are competing in the nine- or 14-mile races, you can
cruise down the river by signing up for the six-mile float trip. The
trips and races that start at Four Seasons Marina end at the Cincinnati
Public Landing - where live music, refreshments and presentations about
wildlife unique to the Ohio River await you. This doesn't mean that the
competition is over. Competitors will race in war canoes, sprint canoes
and kayaks from the Purple People Bridge to the Taylor Southgate
Bridge. But don't get too caught up in the celebration since the
shuttle buses back to the Four Seasons Marina will only run until 1
p.m.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Ohio River Way is planning to build a hike and bike trail along the
Ohio River from Maysville, Ky., to Madison, Ind. The money that
Paddlefest generates will go toward that plan and toward improving the
recreational assets of the Ohio River.

With all this said, it's no wonder people are hyping up this event,
according to Rhoads. "It's the kind of event people tell their friends,
'Next year you gotta do this - it's a lot of fun.' "

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