Presented by FOLAR - Friends of the Lower Appomattox River

Welcoming paddlers of ALL levels to the 14th Paddle Battle on the scenic Appomattox River! This section of river is flatwater and tidal, winding through beautiful marshy areas with lots of wildlife. This year we will start in Hopewell and finish in Petersburg. Paddlers have a choice of a 10-Mile Race with NEW racing categories, a 10-Mile Leisure Paddle, or a 2-Mile Shorty. Your registration includes shuttle, morning snacks, lunch, t-shirt, and handcrafted awards! Kayak rentals are available! Event proceeds support Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) conservation and stewardship programs.

Kayak rentals are available. Newcomers might consider the 2-mile shorty course option because this year the race is going UPSTREAM with the incoming tide. Register today! The registration fee will increase $10 for walk-up or day-of registrations.

Properly worn PFD’s are required. All participants are required to complete liability waiver. Parent/Guardian signature required for all persons under 18 years of age. Under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Scroll down for a COURSE MAP and PHOTOS from last year’s event!

Register Now: www.eventcreate.com/e/paddlebattle

START LOCATION
Hopewell City Marina
1051 Riverside Ave
Hopewell, VA 23860

FINISH LOCATION
Rotary Park, Pocahontas Island
181 Rolfe St
Petersburg, VA 23803

DATE & TIME
September 24, 2022
7:00-8:30AM Registration/Shuttles
9:00AM Leisure Paddles
10:00AM Race Starts
12:00PM Awards & Lunch
12:30-1:30PM Shuttles

OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY AT TRAPEZIUM BREWING CO!
Our friends at Trapezium Brewing Co. are hosting the official after party, just down the road from the take-out in Petersburg. We’re celebrating with live music and a SPECIAL BEER RELEASE to support FOLAR! More details to come! Trapezium’s Address: 423 3rd St, Petersburg, VA 23803.

COURSE OPTIONS
2-MILE SHORTY: flat water, easy up-and-back paddle. 9:30AM start at Hopewell City Marina, turnaround at Anchor Point Marina, and paddle back to Hopewell. Drive yourself to the Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg for lunch and award program.
10-MILE LEISURE PADDLE: a 9:00AM start at Hopewell City Marina and finish at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg. This paddle typically lasts 2-3 hours depending on the paddler and boat type.
Race Options
10-MILE RACE: a 10:00AM start at Hopewell City Marina and finish at Rotary Park on Pocahontas Island in Petersburg. BEST TIME to beat is 1 hour, 20 minutes! First place handcrafted trophies will be given, one in each of the eight Boats Over/Under 16 ft categories below. A ninth trophy will be given for Fastest Overall, which anyone is eligible to win.

RACE CATEGORIES
BOATS OVER 16′: One person in a single kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board (SUP) that is 16 feet and over
–49 & UNDER – MALE & FEMALE
–50 & OVER – MALE & FEMALE
BOATS UNDER 16’: One person in a single kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board (SUP) that is under 16 feet
–49 & UNDER – MALE & FEMALE
–50 & OVER – MALE & FEMALE

UNLIMITED: Boats 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.
Shuttle / Parking Options
Shuttles will run to and from the start and finish, 7:30AM – 8:30AM and 12:30PM – 1:30PM. We encourage you to take the morning shuttle.

MORNING SHUTTLE: Masks required/provided. Drop your kayak/canoe/SUP at Hopewell City Marina in the morning. Drive to Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg to park and take the shuttle back to Hopewell to start your paddle. Shuttle starts at 7:30am. Last shuttle for leisure racers leaves Hopewell at 8:30am.

AFTERNOON SHUTTLE: Masks required/provided. Park at the launch/registration site at Hopewell City Marina. At the finish in Petersburg, a shuttle will take you and a trailer will return your kayak to Hopewell. Last shuttle and trailer leave Petersburg at 1:30PM.
ON YOUR OWN: You leave a second vehicle at the Rotary Park at Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and proceed to Hopewell City Marina for the start with your canoe/kayak/SUP. No shuttle required.