PADDLE BATTLE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN JULY 1, 2025!

The Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR) is excited to host the 17th annual PADDLE BATTLE on the scenic Appomattox River!

This annual event brings folks together from all across the region as we celebrate the river and all it has to offer by winding through beautiful marshy areas filled with wildlife. We welcome paddlers of ALL LEVELS, and you have a choice of a 10-mile Race, a 10-mile Leisure Paddle, or a 2-mile Guided Paddle. This section of river is flatwater and tidal, and this year we’re paddling DOWNSTREAM.

REGISTRATION INCLUDES (depending on your selection*):
• Shuttle rides to and from parking areas*
• Morning snacks*
• Lunch
• Paddle Battle t-shirt
• Time wristband
• And handcrafted awards (for our race winners)*

We offer discounted registration for folks 17 years old and younger, military members & first responders, and educators. Finish line activities include lunch with a scenic view at the Hopewell City Marina where we’ll sell refreshments and new, fun merchandise! In support of our ongoing work to conserve, protect and promote the Appomattox River for all to enjoy, FOLAR has organized the annual Paddle Battle on the Appomattox River since 2007.

Your participation and support helps fund FOLAR’s river stewardship and conservation programs on the lower Appomattox River.

QUESTIONS? contactus@folar-va.org

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

CSX

Coca-Cola Consolidated

Bank of Southside Virginia

Appomattox River Soil & Water Conservation District

Tri-Cities Hospital

A special shoutout to our in-kind sponsors: Rappahannock Adventures, Virginia Outside, Celebri-Tees, Jordan Point Marina, Trapezium Brewing Co., the City of Hopewell, the City of Petersburg, and Chesterfield County.

BECOME A SPONSOR

Want to support your community and be a part of FOLAR’s mission?

Read more about our Sponsorship Opportunities and contact Executive Director, Wendy Austin, at waustin@folar-va.org for more details.

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VOLUNTEER WITH US

We need lots of volunteers to make the Paddle Battle successful. We need volunteers for the Registration Table, to help unload Kayaks, to help at the Start/Finish-line, to serve food, and if you’re a paddler, to help on the river, and more! If you can help, let us know at contactus@folar-va.org.