Paddling

Paddling is around every turn at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience.  You can try kayaking or canoeing. Watch pro demos or join a competition! Located near the heart of the […]

Paddling is around every turn at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience.  You can try kayaking or canoeing. Watch pro demos or join a competition!

Located near the heart of the festival, the Eastwood MetroPark Lagoon is a great place for new paddlers to explore and get a new experience.  Local pros, and those more experienced, can compete in new whitewater races in the Mad River.

Try Paddling

 Try Paddling sponsored by Kayak Coffee

Taiters Kayak Solutions is supporting Try Paddling on the lagoon. Stop by for education and an experience in a canoe, single or double kayak.

Additional support from Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.

Boats are available for all sizes and abilities.

Essential eligibility criteria for Try Paddlesports and activities

Paddling programs on the Lagoon are open to all individuals who acknowledge the ability to perform the following essential eligibility criteria:

    1. Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
    2. Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
    3. Independently hold head upright without neck / head support
    4. Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion
    5. Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
    6. Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
    7. Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket
    8. Get in/out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
    9. Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft
    10. Reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
    11. Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills and activities listed above, and have the ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation

Whitewater Races and More!

The Mad River will be full of activity with local pros and other experienced paddlers competing in a variety of activities.
Saturday
Racer briefing 11:30-12pm
Time Trial Race / Slalom 12-2pm
Break/Award Ceremony from 2-4pm
Boatercross 4-5pm
Sunday
Racer briefing 11am
Downriver/Attainment 12-2pm
Awards/ Announcements 2pm
No registration fees to participate. To register contact Eric Bartl at TBD
Prizes provided by Eric Bartl
First place – $100
Second Place – $50
Third place – $25
Fourth place – swag
Fifth place – swag
Races are produced by Eric Bartl, top ten finisher in 2024 US Team Trials for freestyle kayaking.
Read more about Eric in this article.

Canoemobile

Canoemobile will be onsite near the gateway entrance with nine person canoes.

Have your own boat?

You can plan a trip any time during the weekend. The river is always open (unless there is severe flooding, which is not likely in October). There are 62 miles of canoe- and kayak-friendly water from Bellefontaine to Eastwood MetroPark. Anglers will be excited to know brown trout are available from Bellefontaine to Springfield. Below the city of Springfield downstream to Downtown Dayton, smallmouth bass become more prevalent. The Mad River is a swift moving spring-fed stream that offers great water for beginners as well as a couple of rapid sections that will interest the advanced boater.

View River Map

Changing Room

Paddler changing rooms are located near the Mad River Run.

Please visit our information or waiver tents to sign a Risk and Release waiver, or download and complete a waiver to bring to the festival. Those under 18 years old must have a parent/guardian sign the form.

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