2026 Oradell Reservoir Challenge

Presented by Hackensack Riverkeeper and Veolia Water.

Come make a splash on the beautiful Oradell Reservoir! Whether you’re bringing your own boat or renting one of ours, entering a race, or registering for the open paddle, we look forward to seeing you at the Reservoir! All proceeds from the event support Hackensack Riverkeeper's mission to protect, preserve and restore the Hackensack River.

GO FISH! 8am-12pm

Hackensack Riverkeeper and Veolia are hosting a NJ Fish & Wildlife Youth Fishing Challenge. Bring the family and join in the fun along the shore of the Oradell Reservoir. June 7 is a designated NJ Free Fishing Day and therefore freshwater fishing licenses are not required for this event. Bait will be provided with limited rods and reels on loan, courtesy of Hudson River Fishermen's Association. Bring your own equipment if you have it. Prizes will be given out at 1pm. Entry for the fishing derby is FREE!

A DAY AT THE RACES: 9am

Test your mettle (for a medal!) in the 5K or 10K paddle race. Awards will be given based men’s and women’s classes. Time results and medals ceremony immediately following each race. Competitors: note that we can't medal based on individual boat type, unless we have enough entries for each boat type, so all racing boats are grouped together, and medals based on men's vs women's times.

Race Schedule

Race 1: Pro/Am 5k and 10K --> Check in 7:45 am, lineup on water 8:45am, race starts 9:00am

Va'as, Surfskis, sprinters and all other racing or performance touring kayaks

Medal Categories:

1. Singles: Womens 5K
2. Singles: Mens 5K
3. Singles: Womens 10K
4. Singles: Mens 10K
5. Tandems: 5K and 10K

Race 1 medal ceremony 10:15am

Race 2: Town and Recreational Races --> Check in at 10:30am, lineup on water 10:45am, Race starts 11:00 am

Medal Categories:

1. Town cup relay (2 singles, one tandem)
2. Recreational Womens singles (1 lap)
3. Recreational Mens singles (1 lap)

Race 2 medal ceremony 11:45 am

Open Paddle Session: 1:30pm

Join us in the afternoon for an open paddle on the reservoir, in your own kayak/canoe or rent one of ours. This is your chance to paddle leisurely and enjoy the beauty of the Oradell Reservoir. Be sure to register early, as rentals are limited! Sorry no SUPs.

Catch-and-release fishing is permitted during the open paddle sessions, with a valid fishing license.

Landlubbers Unite!

Friends and spectators are welcome to come join us for some food and fun.

Want to have a table to promote your organization? Email Isaiah at outreach@hackensackriverkeeper.org.

Schedule

Please plan to arrive early to allow enough time to park and check-in.
Download a map to the location here.

7:45 am – Check in for 10k and 5K races, and for Fishing Derby

8:00 am - Fishing Derby begins

8:45 am - All Pro/Am racers must be on the water (separate line up for 5k and 10k)

8:55 am - 5 minute warning for 10K Race

9:00 am - 10K Race begins, 5 minute warning for 5K Race

9:05 am - 5K Race begins

10:15 am - 5K and 10K Race results and medals (new time slot!)

10:30 am - Check-in for Town and Recreational races

10:45 - All racers on the water

11:00 am - Town and Rec races begin

11:30 am – Lunch, courtesy of Inserra ShopRite®

11:45 am - Town and Rec medal ceremony

12:00 pm - Fishing Derby ends

12:45 pm - Fishing Derby medal ceremony

12:30 pm - Check-in for Open Paddle

1:30 pm - Open Paddle begins

4:00 pm - All boats off reservoir

NEW!

CLICK HERE to fill out your waiver in advance!

AGE RESTRICTIONS:

• Children 7-11 years can paddle the front of tandem kayak with an adult in back.
• Children 12-17 years old can paddle a single kayak when accompanied on the water by an adult.
• Ages 5-6 can ride as canoe passengers with two paddlers handling the boat: one of whom must be an adult and the other paddler age 12 or older.
• No children under 5 years old.

Canoes hold a maximum of 2 adults + 2 children, or 3 adults.

GUIDELINES:

1. RACES: Pro/Am 5K and 10K races will follow the same course (1 lap = 5K // 2 laps = 10K). Races will have a mass start. The winners of each race in each of the following categories will receive medals:

Separate Men's and Women's classes
Singles: C/S: Surf skis, va'as and other high performance boats.
Tandems: TK: All high performance tandems

Town/Rec race: Towns will race as a relay of 3 laps, 2 singles and 1 tandem, with awards to the fastest town. Recreational racers will race one lap and have separate women's and men's awards.

2. For security reasons, NO cameras or drones are allowed beyond the gates into the reservoir area. Pets are prohibited inside the fence. No drugs or alcohol allowed.

3. All boats must be washed at our wash station before entering the reservoir, to ensure the prevention of bio-invasive hitchhikers. A washing station will be provided for participants bringing their own boats.

4. All paddlers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD), in good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size for the intended user for the duration of the races or open paddle sessions. Paddles, PFDs and whistles will be provided to those who rent a boat. Anyone bringing their own boat must provide their own paddle, PFD and whistle.

5. Safety boats will be on the water to provide assistance, please alert safety boats to provide assistance if other paddlers appear to be in distress.

NO REFUNDS: This event is a fundraiser, with all proceeds going directly to Hackensack Riverkeeper, a clean water advocacy organization, to help continue our mission to protect, preserve, and restore the Hackensack River. Your registration is a donation to the organization and is non-refundable. Space is limited– in the event you are unable to attend, please cancel in Eventbrite to open your spot for someone else.

FOUL WEATHER: This event is rain or shine except for thunder storms and lightning. In the unlikely event the day is canceled due to extremely inclement weather, the cancellation will be communicated via email through Eventbrite no later than 2 hours before the event starts. The safety and well-being of our employees, supporters, and the broader community remain our utmost priority.

BE SURE TO PURCHASE THE CORRECT TICKET. Accidental purchase of a race ticket for open paddling will not guarantee availability. If you purchase an incorrect ticket, notify us asap and we can attempt to transfer it. Arrivals with wrong ticket cannot be guaranteed boat availability as the public session sells out.

CANCELLATIONS: If you must cancel your ticket, keep in mind there are no refunds. If the event is cancelled due to weather, you will receive a voucher for use at any of our paddling centers, or towards one of our weekend morning guided tours at Laurel Hill. We cannot guarantee a request to transfer your ticket to a future event – if available, transfers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to: events@hackensackriverkeeper.org.

In the event of a weather related cancellation, we are grateful to our supporters who donated to help cover the costs of our three special Reservoir Paddle Series events and will use those funds to support future programming. Stay tuned for updates on future events and initiatives as we continue our mission to make a positive impact on our environment and communities.

Reservoir Challenge is one of the few opportunities for the public to paddle on the Oradell Reservoir, one of its most important and picturesque natural resources! Thank you to Veolia Water NJ and the Borough of Haworth for giving us the opportunity to enjoy this jewel of the Hackensack River Watershed. For more information, visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or call our office at 201-968-0808.

Event questions? Reach out to events@hackensackriverkeeper.org.