HERO USA and the American Kayaking Association are proud to be a part of the Stonewall Columbus 38th annual Pride Festival and Parade! We are excited to be given the chance to uplift our LGBTQ community and educate the public about the vital role waterways play in the region. By interacting with the waterways through canoe and kayak paddles, our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity; race, color or national origin; military status; familial status; age, disability or background can develop a lifelong appreciation for this resource so we ALL can THRIVE.

Participants will be able to celebrate our region's water resources paddling a canoe or kayak along the Scioto River in Downtown Columbus in conjunction with Stonewall Columbus Pride on Friday June 14th from 4pm-8pm and Saturday June 15th from 12pm (noon)-6pm.

The location will be Bicentennial Park in the Scioto Mile park complex. The registration area will be behind the fountains and amphitheatre down the hill on the grassy area between the bike path and the river.

All participants will be put on the water on a first come - first served basis with the opportunity to sell out. 

Participants will be fitted with a PFD and receive a 15 to 30 minute introduction to paddling safety and skills course conducted by HERO USA certified instructors. Immediately following the safety course, participants will enjoy up to a 45 minute paddle on the newly restored Scioto River corridor to take in the sights and sounds of the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival. Additional on water instruction available upon request.

Youth particpants under 12 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak or canoe. Youth between 13 and 17 who would like a single kayak must also be accompanied by an adult. Both require HERO USA pre approval.

HERO USA and AKA instructors will cover all the basic safety aspects of paddling.

Boats | Paddles | Lifevests | Instruction provided by Hero USA.

Stations Include (by Ticket Type):

1. REGISTRATION - Greet participants, assist in getting waivers signed and checking in.
2. PFD FITTINGS - Fit participants for PFD's (life jackets).
3. QUICK START INSTRUCTOR - Provide Quick Start instruction on how to paddle and enter/exit their boat properly and safely.
4. SHORE PATROL - Assist participants into and out of boats.
5. WATER PATROL - Provide assistance on the water as needed, patrol general boundaries to keep participants in the defined paddle areas.
6. SATURDAY TEAR DOWN - Help close up the event.

We will probably switch up and rotate duties during the shifts, to give each other breaks or experience doing a different duty... however, we need you to choose one to just confirm the time slots for organizational purposes.

FOR VOLUNTEERS ONLY BRINGING THEIR OWN BOATS: There is very limited parking available only for those bringing their own boats. At the corner of Starling and Rich Streets (193-223 Starling St, Columbus, OH 43215) there is a gravel lot outside of a fenced in area where the OSU Crew stores their boats. If you are bringing your own kayak, you can park here (make sure you have an AKA or HERO sticker in/on your car) and then carry your kayak to the put in just south of the Main Street bridge and before the railroad bridge, in the West Bank Park. Reach out to Sami Spezio if you need an AKA sticker.

 ***Hero USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing educational opportunities through outdoor recreation to local community youth groups and under-resourced youth. Our programming benefits organizations such as; Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, Big Brothers | Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Disability Resource Network, Respite Connections, Team Focus and The Gladden Community House. We promote a healthy and active lifestyle.***

***American Kayaking Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a goal and focus to provide the most current and relevant information regarding the sport of kayaking.***