RVA Paddlesports

Summer may be winding down, but we still have plenty of free events to keep you active and outside this September. ☀️🍂🚣🏽‍♀️

🛶 September 5th - Paddle in Your Park @ Lakeview Park 11-3pm
🛶 September 12th - Paddle in Your Park and EcoFest @ Great Shiplock Park 11-3pm
🛶 September 26th - Paddle in Your Park and MountainFilm @ Dorey Park 4-6pm

Paddle in Your Park is your chance to try paddlesports in your backyard. Throughout the month we will be partnering with Matthew L. Spruill, Henrico Recreation & Parks, and James River Association to bring FREE paddling to the Richmond community. Sign-up online or walk-up day of! While these events are free of charge we encourage all participants to donate to our partners Boys to Men Virginia.

🏙️ RVA Paddlesports & Neon Ghost Presents:
Sun’s Down, Surf’s Up Rodeo
Thursday, AUGUST 13th!

🕰️ 7:00 PM @ Pipeline Rapid – come throw down, cheer loud, and get weird!

📅 EVENT LINEUP:
📍 7:00 PM – Kayaker Prelims 🛶
📍 7:30 PM – Open Surf Session 🌊
📍 8:00 PM – Raft Dry Flip 🛶💦 (will this finally happen? 👀)
📍 8:30 PM – Kayak Finals 🏁🔥
🏆 Winners get a limited-edition T-SHIRT & a shiny MEDAL!
(And eternal glory, obviously 😎)

🧨 KAYAKERS – Wanna compete?
Slide into our DMs or sign up here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdICnNgCPDlYDnf23TdPW2c9r2Ot39rnLBQavbNAZIHt899KQ/viewform?usp=header
💦🧗‍♂️🛶

⚠️ ACCESS UPDATE:
The traditional Pipeline Trail is still closed 🚧 BUT — you can still get there:
➡️ Paddle in
OR
➡️ Wade across via the small trail at Pipeline Overlook (see pic 📸)

👕 Limited edition T-SHIRTS will be on sale at the event –
⏳ First come, first served – don’t miss out!

📣 Bring your crew. Bring your hype.
Let’s celebrate the best hangout spot on our river! 💥💥

🏙️ RVA Paddlesports & Neon Ghost Presents:
Sun’s Down, Surf’s Up Rodeo
Thursday, AUGUST 13th!

🕰️ 7:00 PM @ Pipeline Rapid – come throw down, cheer loud, and get weird!

📅 EVENT LINEUP:
📍 7:00 PM – Kayaker Prelims 🛶
📍 7:30 PM – Open Surf Session 🌊
📍 8:00 PM – Raft Dry Flip 🛶💦 (will this finally happen? 👀)
📍 8:30 PM – Kayak Finals 🏁🔥
🏆 Winners get a limited-edition T-SHIRT & a shiny MEDAL!
(And eternal glory, obviously 😎)

🧨 KAYAKERS – Wanna compete?
Slide into our DMs or sign up here 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdICnNgCPDlYDnf23TdPW2c9r2Ot39rnLBQavbNAZIHt899KQ/viewform?usp=header
💦🧗‍♂️🛶

⚠️ ACCESS UPDATE:
The traditional Pipeline Trail is still closed 🚧 BUT — you can still get there:
➡️ Paddle in
OR
➡️ Wade across via the small trail at Pipeline Overlook (see pic 📸)

👕 Limited edition T-SHIRTS will be on sale at the event –
⏳ First come, first served – don’t miss out!

📣 Bring your crew. Bring your hype.
Let’s celebrate the best hangout spot on our river! 💥💥

How To Thread A Quick-Release Rescue Belt | As a whitewater rescue instructor, I have seen both the power and the dangers of attaching to a rope with a quick-release harness. When used effectively, it can be an essential part of a whitewater rescue toolkit. Without proper training, practice, setup and application, it can turn into an entrapment hazard.

One danger I see every season is paddlers using the quick-release harness improperly. If you have a rescue PFD with a quick-release harness, it’s essential to learn how to use it and practice releasing it multiple times on land each season to develop muscle memory. Practice releasing in the water, in a controlled environment, with others there to back you up. Practice with your eyes closed, with both hands, and with and without tension on the line.

To set up your harness, start with the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific PFD. I recommend using only a PFD with a sewn-in quick-release harness. Make sure all components are in good condition. A properly fitted PFD should have the release mechanism at chest height, within reach of either hand.

Tighten your PFD straps before setting up the harness so that if you need to release, the PFD will still be secure.

Threading a quick-release harness is simple, but many paddlers get it wrong. Watch a video of the technique and other best practices at https://bit.ly/4xL0BtD

✍️: Jamie Orfald-Clarke at Boreal River Rescue
📸:

Big Splashy Water Levels have returned! Come join us for the best urban whitewater in the country.

🏴‍☠️ Bedlam at Belle Isle: Pirate Rafting Race Returns! 🌊

Racers should join us May 14 at 6 PM at Reedy Creek. Teams of of four will battle it out in a relay-style whitewater rafting race from First Break to Lunch Rock.

Celebrate the kickoff of main raft season with one of Richmond’s favorite community river events. Spectators are welcome at Belle Isle, with racing expected to begin around 7 PM.

Grab your crew, bring your pirate spirit, and come cheer on the chaos! ⚓️🔥

Two down, two to go! If you missed the others, we still have two Paddle in Your Park events coming up to help you ring in summer right. ☀️🛶

🌊May 9th - 1-3pm: PIYP Fest @ Hopewell City Park

Join us at Hopewell City Park on the beautiful Appomattox River for a free day of paddling and fun on the water. Boys to Men Mentoring will be providing goodies and snacks so make sure to stop by and chat with them about how you can get involved. 🫱🏼‍🫲🏽

🌊June 21st - 11-3pm: Play All Day @ Lakeview Park

On the summer solstice, we are partnering with Virginia Recreation and Park Society to bring Paddle in Your Park to Colonial Heights! We will be at Lakeview Park from 11 to 3 as part of their Play All Day initiative. With activities set up across the state, it truly is an event you won’t want to miss.🌸

These events are free of charge but we will be accepting donations on behalf of Boys to Men Mentoring Virginia . Pre-register and donate online or walk up day of!