about
about
2024
Sites and Scenes
Thank you to our Renee Russell, official Friends photographer, for this year's photographs.
Getting the Boats, Boards and Racers Ready
Paddle Battle prides itself for providing plenty of Volunteers to Help Our Racers Get from Their Cars and into the Water (for those who want the help)
Heading Out to the Start
Waiting to Start
Jeff Moen
CSC Christopher "Chip" Dollahon, US Coast Guard Base Portsmouth (#31) er "Chi
Kate Pitchford (#12) and Jeff Moen (#10)
And They're Off!
Racing at Last
Laura Arcese (#7) and Michelle Monaghan Moen (#11)
Christina Hines (#28), unidentified, Mike Camlet (#24), unidentified, Kate Pitchford (#12), Michelle Monaghan Moen (#11) and Laura Arcese (#7)
Finishing and Relaxing
Navy v. Coast Guard Challenge Cup: LCDR Daniel Weinberg (naval Medical Center Portsmouth)(#33 - white kayak)
Haille Hogfeldt
Watching
Did we mention that it rained and that most spectators hid under tents?
Trophy Time
This year we were honored to have Capt. Derek Burrus, Commanding Officer, US Coast Guard Base Portsmouth (in Coast Guard t-shirt), assist with Race Committee and in handing out the Trophies. Thank you Capt. Burrus.
Also pictured Gary Bahena (left), Paddle Battle Steering Committee Chair and Race Committee Chair, Tom Butt (to right of Gary), Paddle Battle Steering Committee, Capt. Burrus and Jenny Handy or Theresa Hahn
James Metcalfe with Trophy (Beginner-Intermediate 50+)
CSC Christopher Chip Dollahon, US Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, receiving Challenge Cup Trophy for 1st Place, USCG entrants, while his boss, Capt. Burrus, looks on with pride
Aiden White, USS Bush, US Navy, receiving Challenge Cup Trophy for 1st Place, US Navy entrants
Aiden White, USS Bush, US Navy, receiving Challenge Cup Trophy for 1st Place Overall, 1st Place Navy v. Coast Guard
Doing it Safely
The Paddle Battle is known for its focus on the safety of our racers as they race on the busy commercial Elizabeth River. Thank you to the Portsmouth Fire Department, the US Coast Guard, Freedom Boat Club (Sponsor) and the Portsmouth Boat Club (Sponsor) for providing on-the-water safety boats.
Above, Portsmouth Fire Department Fire Boat crew getting ready to hit the water.
Left, 2 Safety Boats, on the left from Freedom Boat Club (Sponsor) and the other manned by Portsmouth Boat Club Volunteers
Andy Sutter, Paddle Battle Steering Committee, Freedom Boat Club (Sponsor) President and head of Safety Boat operations, heading out to the water. Andy is another 6:00 a.m. Volunteer.
A reason the Paddle Battle is so focused on safety. These two tug boats are escorting a large tanker down the Elizabeth River just outside of the Race course. The Safety Boat head stays in constant contact with commercial ships transiting through the Race course.
Paddle Battle is Also About Land Fun
Thank you to Tidewater Maritime Living History Association, our Face Painter and DJ Eric for adding to the day's fun.
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DJ Eric
Thank You Volunteers
It takes as many as 60+ volunteers to put on the Portsmouth Paddle Battle, with the first ones arriving on site starting at 6:00 a.m. Shown below are a few of these intrepid souls. A special thanks to the Portsmouth Boat Club (PBC)(a Paddle Battle Sponsor) and to Jim and Kathy Cullen with the Portsmouth Farmers Market (also a Paddle Battle Sponsor) for "loaning" us volunteers from their organizations.
Also a huge thanks to the Paddle Battle Steering Committee, which meets starting in January of each year to begin planning for the Paddle Battle: Gary Bahena and Jeannie McCoy, Co-Chairs, Andy Sutter (Sponsor), Tom Butt, Keith Toler (Assistant Director, Portsmouth Department of Museums & Tourism) and Sheila Janes.
Above from left, Liz Pasqualini (Chair, Portsmouth Rotary Club [Sponsor]), Janet Sutter (co-owner Freedom Boat Club [Sponsor]) and Jeannie McCoy (Paddle Battle Steering Committee Co-Chair)
Cindy Gettier (Portsmouth Boat Club [Sponsor]) and Brionna Parks
Steve Milner (Friends [Sponsor]) and Liz Pasqualini (Chair, Portsmouth Rotary Club [Sponsor])
Brooks Britt (Director, Friends)(left) and Keith Abernathy (1st VP, Friends)(middle)
Renee Russell, Official Friends Photographer and Editor,Friends newsletter The Wheelhouse
Race Committee
Councilman Mark Hugel and Gary Bahena (Race Committee Chairman)
Jimmy Schools (Portsmouth Boat Club [Sponsor])
