The Kentucky Thoro-Breasts (Fillies for the Cure) competed in Cleveland, Ohio at the Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival, decked-out in Paddlefest T-shirts. Though the team was short by five members, they won their race with a time of 1min 44 seconds for 300 meters. The Thoro-Breasts improved their time in their second race, 1 minute 40 seconds, but were unable to win. After both races, we they came in 2nd out of 5 teams for “Breast Cancer Survivor Teams” and 5th out of thirteen overall. Not bad for a team that just started practicing in February.

The Throro-Breast are becoming very competitive, driven by their catch phrase “We paddle because we CAN”. In keeping with their mission, they are raising awareness and proving that life after cancer can be very rewarding.

And what a wonderful day it was with:

• Over 1,750 paddlers (and 49 dogs).
• 1,100+ canoes and kayaks (plus 3 row boats, 4 paddleboards, 1 pirate peddle boat and 1 swimmer).
• 1,700+ children participating in our Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo.
• 375+ volunteers.
• 44 breast cancer survivors racing for the pink in their stunning Dragon Boats.
• Thousands of priceless memories.
• AP photos sent around the world.
• And a new army of advocates to celebrate, promote and protect the Ohio.

Thank you for paddling, volunteering, cheering, donating and spreading the word. We appreciate the support of all our generous sponsors and the folks who helped out behind the scenes to make this event so special, safe and fun.

As in the past, our proceeds will be used to underwrite next year’s Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo, now the largest water safety and environmental education event for children in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, support the Cincinnati Recreation Commission’s inner city youth paddling program (VisionQuest and RiverTrek) and provide mini grants to environmental education and advocacy organizations in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. If you would like to make a donation to help us further fund these projects, please send you tax-deductible donation payable to “The Ohio River Way, Inc.” to The Ohio River Way, Inc., P.O. Box 43261, Cincinnati, OH 45243

Paddlefest Pics – Upload Yours!
Check out our photos to see our growing collection of pictures from this year’s event, with even more of them on our Flickr photostream. Can you find yourself? If you have pics to share, upload them to Flickr and tag them “ORWpaddlefest“.

Race Results
Race results are now online click here

Mini Paddle Trip #2
Paddle the Great Miami on Friday, July 17
Join us for a 20 mile paddle from Hamilton to Miamitown wit hGreat Miami Riversports. We’ll load in between 8:00-9:00am and take off at 9:00am. The trip should end between 3:00 and 4:00pm Click here for information on how to register.

Coming Up: Swim the Ohio
Our 2nd Annual Great Ohio River Swim takes off at 7:30 am on Saturday, July 25. Race or take your sweet time swimming from the Cincinnati Serpentine Wall across the Ohio and back. Seventy one people (13-92 years old) did the swim last year. Click here for more information

Join the Paddlefest Crew
Join our Steering Committee for Paddlefest 2010. Just e-mail us at i and let us know of your interest. We need more core team members to organize next year’s event.

Another wonderful Paddlefest is in the books. Thank you so much to all our Paddlers, volunteers and sponsors.

We’ll be posting more news and photos in the upcoming weeks, so make sure to visit our website often. You can follow us on Twitter for the latest updates as well.

The first wave of photos from Paddlefest 2009 have been posted on Flickr, with many, many more on the way. If you post any photos of your own on Flickr, please tag with “ORWpaddlefest” for everyone to see!

The forecast is looking great, and the Ohio River levels are looking really good – around 27ft. It’s going to be a near perfect day for Paddlefest 2009! We hope you had fun at the Ohio River Arts, Music & Outdoor Festival. We had another great crown this year and a great line up of acts. Now, let’s get paddlin’!

Photo: Backyard Tire Fire performing at the Ohio River Arts, Music & Outdoor Festival

Celebrate, promote and protect the beauty of the Ohio River at the 8th Annual Ohio River Way Paddlefest on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009. Come to Cincinnati to enjoy two days of paddling, education, entertainment, competition and camaraderie at America’s largest on water paddling event.

Download the Paddlefest Program

The Paddlefest Program gives you all the information you need to know about Paddlefest weekend.

Download Now (.pdf)

Friday, June 26 at Coney Island

Kids Outdoor Adventure Expo
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Ohio River Music & Outdoor Festival
3:00 pm – midnight

Saturday, June 27

Paddle the Ohio
Leave Coney Island at 8:30 am
(FREE Coffee from Lookout Joe!)

Finish Line Festival
10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Yeatman’s Cove at Sawyer Point

Registration

Online registration is now closed. You may register at at the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival on Friday evening or Saturday morning before Paddlefest.

Camping

All reservations for Steamboat Bend/Paddlefest campers must be made at Paddlefest registration and not through Hamilton County Park District. For more information call the Paddlefest hotline at (513) 588-6936.

For additional camping go to Morgan’s Ft. Ancient Livery, 5701 St. Rt. 350, Oregonia, OH 45054 or call 513-932-7658

While you’re at the Ohio River Arts & Music Festival on Friday evening, why not take a chance on winning this fantastic kayak from D & D Outfitters to break in the next morning at Paddlefest! Raffle tickets will be available at the Paddlefest Merchandise Sales Tent – $2.00 each or 6 for $10.00.

Drawing for the kayak will be at 10 p.m. Friday, June 26. The winner must be present to claim the kayak.

Good Luck!

The second Ohio River Way Mini Paddle of 2009 will be held on the Great Miami River with Great Miami Riversports. Mark your calendar for Friday, July 17, 2009 for the 20 mile trip.

The Benchmark and Patagonia are offering our website visitors special savings on their next purchase of Patagonia merchandise at The Benchmark. Save $10 off $100, $20 off of $200, or $50 off of $500 an in-store or online purchase.

While you’re at Paddlefest 2009, make sure to catch this fantastic event! Team Lemon Cardboard Boat Racing will attempt to set a world record for the longest river trip in a 4-man cardboard boat. The river run will start Coney Island during the Paddlefest 2009 weekend and finish at Cincinnati’s Serpentine Wall. The boat is constructed using only cardboard, duct and house paint – no glue! Of course, the boat will also be on display during Paddlefest weekend.

Team Lemon is attempting this world record to raise money for the Cardboard Boat Museum in New Richmond, OH.

Join us for an 11 Mile Paddle trip on the beautiful Little Miami River with the Loveland Canoe & Kayak Mini Paddle. Trip will include transportation to the put-in. Vehicles will be parked at the endpoint of the trip so you will be at your car when you get off the water.

Details:
Little Miami River
Saturday, June 6, 2009