Try Paddling sponsored by Kayak Coffee
Paddling is around every turn at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. You can try kayaking, canoeing, inflatable kayaks, or stand up paddleboards. Watch pro demos or join a competition!
Located near the heart of the festival, the Eastwood MetroPark Lagoon and the Mad River Run are a great place for paddlers to explore and try new experiences.
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 Adventures on the Great Miami.
Try Paddling
Boats are available for all sizes and abilities.
Other paddling-related exhibitors will have fishing kayaks, whitewater boats, SUP boards and more. Visit the exhibitor village to see what is available.
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:
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- Breathe independently (i.e., not require medical devices to sustain breathing)
- Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water
- Independently hold head upright without neck / head support
- Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion
- Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
- Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with assistance of a companion
- Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket
- Get in/out of a paddlecraft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
- Independently get out and from under a capsized paddlecraft
- Reenter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance
- 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
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.
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.