Dates for the 2009 Paddlefest on the Ohio River have been set: June 26 and 27

Paddlefest is a great paddling event for paddlers of all ages – whether you kayak or canoe – there is even a kid’s expo.  It is also a great way to get to know more about the Ohio River Way and all the work that is being done to promote it as a great place to spend time on the water and to protect it, keeping it clean and safe for generations to come.

Come to Cincinnati to enjoy two days of paddling, education, entertainment, competition and camaraderie.

Registration for the even begins in January 09, so mark your calendars!

For more information on the 2009 Ohio River Paddlefest, please visit the official website at www.OhioRiverWay.org

This just in from the organizers:

New for 2009:

• Expanded boat demo and on-water “Smart Start” classes at Lake Como during the day and early evening at Paddlefest on Friday, June 26.
• Inaugural Ohio River Dragon Boat races on Saturday, June 27 in front of the Serpentine Wall.
• Swim 2009 will take place again next year. In our inaugural year, over 70 participants swam the Ohio River!

If you have an event you’d like us to promote on BornToPaddle.com, please send it to us using our handy contact form: Click here to contact us!

Sean Patch commutes via kayak across the Hudson River

Sean Patch, a school teacher, kayaks across the Hudson River daily to his job.

WCBS TV News in New York recently reported on a man who kayaks across the Hudson River to get to work everyday. We thought that was a great idea! Here are the details:

Sean Patch, a math teacher, lives aboard a boat in Weehawkin, NJ and decided to paddle to work in light of rising ferry costs.

Once he gets across the river, he locks up his kayak and bikes the rest of the way. Patch must be in awesome shape!

Now, not everyone can kayak to work – oh, but what a world it would be if we all could! It’s great to see this sort of initiative. Patch is not only being very “green”, but he is also saving himself a good deal of money.

Patch reports that paddling to work saves him $15.50 per day and that by the end of the school year, he’ll have saved $4,175 in commuting fees.

He plans to continue paddling to work through the winter – more power to you Sean!

Kayaking to work must be a lot of fun, but Patch also wants to caution anyone thinking of following suit – the Hudson can be dangerous. There is a lot of marine traffic on the river and though it is smack dab in the middle of NYC, the waters often get rough. Patch – and your friends here at BornToPaddle.com – recommend only attempting this particular paddle if you’re an experienced kayaker.

Have you ever paddled to work? Or used your kayak to get somewhere you normally would drive to? Tell us about your experience!