General Safety information

• All participants must sign a waiver to participate in Paddlefest, acknowledging that they have read the safety rules of participation.

• The Ohio River will be closed to all commercial and public power boats until 12:30 p.m. Paddlers will be on their own recognizance after that time.

• Pets are welcome but should be equipped with a suitable PFD and physically fit for hours on the water. 

• Shorelines are slick and slippery. Most injuries while paddling are due to falls, slips, trips, and back injuries while getting in/out or carrying vessels. Take care when entering and exiting the water.

• Weather conditions will likely get hotter, more humid, and windy towards the noon hour. Be prepared with hat, sunscreen, and quick-dry clothing. Fill up stations for water bottles will be provided at the start, midway point, and finish of the course.

• Please leave all valuables at home. Weapons and alcohol are not permitted on the water.

paddler safety

• Participants must wear a Coast Guard Approved personal flotation device (PFD) fully fastened and secured at all times when on the Ohio River. Removal of PFD constitutes a violation of the rules of participation in Paddlefest and the participant is no longer covered under the provisions of Paddlefest.

• Participants must be at least 4 years old on the day of Paddlefest. Parents of children under 12 are responsible for the child’s proper fit and wear of the PFD per manufacturer’s instructions. Swimming pool flotation devices are not permitted.

• All participants must be physically fit to endure at least 4 hours of paddling in hot and humid conditions. Consideration should be given to any health concerns or medication that may be needed. Participants must have the maturity and capability to handle a paddle and to swim while wearing a PFD.

Boat Safety

• Flat bottom, sail, catamaran, or powered vessels are prohibited from Paddlefest.

• Inflatable SUPs are welcome. Inflatable kayaks must have a rigid hull. Rafts are not permitted at Paddlefest.

• Per Coast Guard rules, a whistle or other means of signaling distress, must be on the vessel.

• While on the river, stay at least 50 feet from docks, moored vessels, utilities and any other river obstacles. NEVER paddle between moored vessel/barges and shorelines. Underwater utilities are dangerous!

IN case of emergency

Numerous safety boats and safety paddlers will be located along the route. Many of them will have on yellow or orange vests and signs on their boats and will be displaying Paddlefest Safety Patrol signs so you can easily locate then should you need help. Safety boats will be in communication with medical personnel and can help transport injured paddlers to shore-based medical assistance.

In case of on-the-water emergency, call 911. Be sure to tell the 911 operators you are paddling on the river and try to give your exact location. After calling 911, signal power safety boats on the water with distress signals (whistle, horn, flagging, or waving paddle). If possible, in case of emergencies, pull to the Ohio shoreline.

If paddlers have a Maritime radio, channel 16 is the emergency channel to utilize if needed.

Inclement weather plan

The safety of all Paddlefest participants is our paramount concern. While both the Outdoors for All Expo and Ohio River Paddlefest are rain-or-shine events, lightning has the potential to delay or cancel the event. Paddlefest organizers will remain in close communication with the National Weather Service and will be monitoring the area continuously for lightning strikes before and during the event. 

• Delayed Launch

If thunderstorms are in the immediate area but are expected to pass in 1-2 hours, Paddlefest launch may be delayed 1 hour to begin at 8 a.m., or further delayed for 2 hours to start at 9 a.m.

• Cancelation Prior to Launch

If we are not able to launch all boats by 10 a.m., or if the weather forecast early Saturday calls for continued thunderstorms, we will make the decision to cancel the event prior to launch. Buses will continue to run so paddlers who pre-parked at Gilday can retrieve their vehicles.

• Inclement Weather After Launch 

Should lightning pop up nearby after paddlers have launched, paddlers will be alerted by three horn blasts from the safety boats along the route. This is the signal for all paddlers to immediately paddle to the nearest shore, exit their boat and wait for the storm to pass, staying clear of tall trees and structures. Safety boats will signal the all-clear with a single horn blast, alerting paddlers that they may resume their trip. Should the paddle extend beyond the 12:30 p.m. river closure time, paddlers may need to paddle along the right riverbank as they complete the route to allow safety boats to provide maximum protection.

Paddlefest team member Jerry Schulte’s WCPO interview on river safety.