(INDIANAPOLIS) – The White River Alliance, the premier organization for regional water resource protection in Indiana, in cooperation with the White River Canoe Company, is offering six Free Paddle Days on July 17 and 26 and Aug. 7, 16, 21 and 30in place of the annual White River Dragon Boat Race. The White River Dragon Boat Race has been postponed until 2021 due to current health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re thrilled to host Free Paddle Days on the White River,” said Jill Hoffmann, White River Alliance executive director. “We hope that Free Paddle Days will allow small groups of friends and colleagues to enjoy a day in nature and on the water. It is our goal that Free Paddle Days will foster connectivity with each other and the river and recharge our commitment to helping protect it.”
Free Paddle Days will kick off on Friday, July 17 at the White River Canoe Company. The White River Alliance will hold an outdoor, annual meeting to follow social distancing guidelines beginning at 1 p.m. The meeting will include a short update about a new study of the river from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The first 50 meeting attendees are eligible for a free single kayak rental on this day. Departure for the paddle begins at 1:30 p.m.
Free Paddle Days are also available July 26, Aug. 16 and Aug. 30. The first 35 single kayak rentals are of no cost and departures are offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the hour.
In partnership with the cities of Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville, Free Paddle Days offered on Aug. 7 and Aug. 21 will serve as a replacement for the annual Hamilton County White River Clean-Up. The first 85 single kayak and/or canoe rentals are of no cost and departures are available from 9 a.m. to noon on the hour. Participants are asked to clean up any small trash or debris encountered during the paddle. Boats with the biggest trash haul will be awarded a Visa gift card. More information on the Free Paddle Days can be found at www.thewhiteriveralliance.org/programs/white-river-paddle-days.
2020 Free Paddle Days Event Information
WHAT: White River Alliance Free Paddle Days
WHEN:
- July 17 at 1:30 p.m.
- July 26, Aug. 16 and Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Aug. 7 and Aug. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon (Replacement for the Hamilton County White River Clean-Up)
WHERE: White River Canoe Company, 17180 River Road, Noblesville, IN 46060
About the White River Alliance
The White River Alliance exists to improve and protect water resources in central Indiana. The Alliance is made up of diverse interests and organizations that work together to steward the river and its sixteen-county watershed. The collective programming of the Alliance works to raise broad awareness of water issues, provide training and resources to varied audiences, and advance regional water planning efforts. In addition to the Dragon Boat Races, the Alliance’s programs include the Indiana Water Summit, the national Clear Choices Clean Water program, which encourages residents to take individual action to improve water quality and increase water conservation, and several other local and regional public engagement and professional training programs. For more information, visitwww.thewhiteriveralliance.org.
