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Check out the Photos from 2024's Paddle Battle
A Day of
Excitement on the Elizabeth
Join us on September 6, 2025, from 9:00-12:00, for the 5th Annual Portsmouth Paddle Battle on the Elizabeth River. As in prior years, participants in the Paddle Battle will compete in SUP, kayak and canoe categories depending upon age/experience level. Back from 2024 by popular demand, a dedicated Racers tent for Racers to enjoy a beverage and some light post-Race food that is now included in the cost of Registration. Enjoy music and good food and drinks all day including the Junior Paddle Battle. And prizes! We will also have special events for children all day long. In short, there will be something for everyone. Proceeds will help The Friends support the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and the Lightship Portsmouth Museum.
SCHEDULE FOR PADDLE BATTLE DAY
8:30-11:00 Paddle Battle Registration
10:00-4:00 Free Corn Hole Toss
9:30-12:30 Children's Events including free face-painting, free coloring book/crayon giveaways (while supplies last), free re-enactor interactions and more
9:30-12:30 Music by DJ E
10:00-12:00 Paddle Battle Racing
12:00 Paddle Battle Awards Ceremony
THE RACE
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The Race Course will once again be from High Street Basin in Olde Towne to the Hammerhead Crane on the Shipyard and back. Racers loved this course as well as the ability to race against tankers.
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Thanks to the generosity of the wonderful folks at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve and Virginia Beach Surf Sessions, a limited number of loaner kayaks will be made available, on a first-come-first-serve basis, to people wishing to participate but who do not own their own kayak. You can request one on the Registration Form. A $10 charge will be collected on Race day.
Racing will also feature a series of Challenge Races involving racers from the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, the Norfolk (Portsmouth) Naval Shipyard, Coast Guard Base Portsmouth, USCG Atlantic Area Command and USCG 5th District.
Stay tuned for updates and further details.​
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Register
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Click below for on-line Registration -- you must complete and submit the Registration Form and indicate your agreement with the Liability Waiver form.
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Are you active duty Navy or Coast Guard? Then you want to enter the Challenge Cup pitting local Navy Commands against local Coast Guard Commands. Trophies are awarded for the best of the Navy and the best of the Coast Guard -- plus a trophy for the best finishing time from either, the best of the best. Register for the Challenge Cup here.
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For all other Racers, Early-Bird Registration is $40 through June 30, 2025. Regular Registration is $50 starting July 1, 2025 and running to Thursday, September 4 at 7 PM and then $60 on Race day. You can also order T-shirts when you register with the 2nd T being discounted.
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Want to save even more? Earn an easy $10 cash referral bonus! Refer a new racer who registers during the Early Bird Registration period and get a $10 cash bonus on Race day (you must also register to race to be eligible). Your eligible referral simply has to credit you with the referral on their Registration form.
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The Registration table will only be able to accept cash and credit/debit cards. On-line Registration closes at 7 PM on Thursday, September 5, 2025. You may still register on Race day at the $60 rate.
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There will be no refunds for cancellation on account of inclement weather or as a result of State or City closures for COVID or other conditions.
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Race and Race Day Information
Race Day Arrival, Parking and Race information is available here. The Prize ceremony will be at 12:00 PM (approximate depending upon final scoring).
Volunteer page will be live May 1, 2025
Volunteer
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We need lots and lots of volunteers to make the Paddle Battle successful. We need volunteers for the Registration Table, to sell Beverage Tickets and T-Shirts, to work the Beer/Beverage Tent, to help unload Kayaks, to man the Start/Finish-line, to assist with the children's events and more! Click "Volunteer Here" to the left to sign-up.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Gold - $1,000
Silver - $500
Bronze - $250
Marketing Partners-Sponsors
VIP Tent Food Sponsor Donors
In-Kind Sponsors
Sponsor Options
PLATINUM
Your logo on Paddle Battle web-site, marketing materials, Paddle Battle signage, print media and T-shirts, 10 drink tickets, 8 VIP Tent tickets and 6 Race registrations for you or your employees
$2,500
BRONZE
Your logo on Paddle Battle web-site and select marketing materials, 4 drink tickets and 2 VIP Tent tickets​
$250
GOLD
Your logo on Paddle Battle web-site, marketing materials and Paddle Battle signage and T-shirts, 8 drink tickets, 6 VIP Tent tickets and 4 Race registrations for you or your employees
$1,000
FRIEND
2 drink tickets
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$100
SILVER
Your logo on Paddle Battle web-site and select marketing materials and T-shirts, 6 drink tickets, 4 VIP Tent tickets
and 2Race registrations for you or your employees​
$500