We are sorry to announce that the Paddle-O
is Cancelled for this year.
Due to very low water levels at the Reservoir and
the presence of high levels of Algae Bloom.
OVERVIEW
Come join us at the 2023 Paddle-O! Open to all Cap’ns with canoes, kayak, paddle boards and other human-powered watercraft. The event will follow a score-O format – find controls in any order, making sure that you’re back to the finish within the allotted time.
- Sunday July 23, 2023, 12:00 Noon – Walborn Reservoir – Stark County
- Paddle-O – 1:00pm mass start
THIS YEAR’S FORMAT
2.5 hour course mostly on WATER with some land controls. Many flags will be at water’s edge. Depending on how each flag is hung, you may have to step out of your craft to punch. Then there are a some controls 100 feet or so inland to provide an extra challenge!
MANUAL punching will be used for all controls.
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED – SEE LINK BELOW – so we know how many maps to print on expensive waterproof material (see below).
PLEASE REVIEW THE WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS EVENT AT THIS WEBPAGE. BY REGISTERING, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THIS WAIVER AND ARE ABSOLVING NEOOC AND ORIENTEERING USA , ET AL OF LIABILITY RESULTING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE ASSOCIATED ORIENTEERING ACTIVITY.
DESCRIPTION
The checkpoints are marked on a waterproof map. A special manual punch at each checkpoint proves you were there. Each team or solo has a single punch card.
All checkpoints will be worth the same, one point each. But to punch as many as possible in 2.5 hours, your route choices and backup plans need to be well thought thru. Can you think and paddle at the same time, while holding a map?
If your craft has two people, one can find checkpoints on land while the other paddles to a convenient pre-arranged pick-up point. Or, one kayak team member can tow the other’s craft to the meeting point.
You will have some time before the mass start to do your planning. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and other craft are scored separately.
If you have two or more crafts on one Team, do separate registration for each craft. And link the two or more registrations together with the same Team Name entry on the form. Enter the each craft’s captain in the provided field.
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED – See link below – so we know how many maps to print on expensive waterproof material (see below).
Livelox will be active for this event. Sign in to the Livelox app on your smartphone to record your route directly to Livelox, or record it on your Garmin or other GPS tracker, and upload it to Livelox later. If you use your smartphone, it is suggested to place it in a buoyant, waterproof pouch.
EVENT DETAILS
- Check-in begins at noon. Register below…
- Categories: Solo or Team – Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Board **, Other (row boat, etc.).
- ** – Please note that the Stark County Park system is not recommending the use of Paddle Boards on Walborn Reservoir due to higher Algae Bloom presence at this time.
- If two or more different crafts on a Team, select the fastest craft’s category (kayak is considered fastest, followed by canoe, paddle board and other). Use the same Team Name field to group multiple crafts into one Team.
- Instructions at 12:40. Have your craft ready to go at that time so you have time to plan out your route when you get your map at 12:45.
- Maps handed out at 12:45 so you have time to plan your route!
- Mass start at 1 PM sharp!
- Stay for after race refreshment, and award ceremony. Top 3 finishers in each classes get the prizes!
Preregistration and Cost
We are sorry to announce that the Paddle-O
is Cancelled for this year.
Due to very low water levels at the Reservoir and
the presence of high levels of Algae Bloom.
- Preregistrations, closing 12 noon, Wednesday, July 19, 2023
- $10 per Craft* for Members of NEOOC or O-USA affiliated clubs
- $15 per Craft* for non-Members
* Multiple Crafts together makes a Team (using same Team Name) and that team navigates the course together (with above exceptions for getting land controls). One map is included per paid craft. Additional maps, up to two, are $3 each.
- Preregistration is required, so we know how many waterproof maps to print.
- It is best if you can provide your own watercraft.
- Rental information: call Walborn Marina: 330.935.0367 for availability – NEOOC cannot manage or guarantee craft availability
- Each craft must have someone in the boat 16 or older. Life Jackets are required by Stark Parks on the Reservoir.
- Preregistrations required, closing 12 noon, Wednesday, July 19, 2023
- You can also renew your NEOOC membership (or join) on the preregistration form. After submitting your information on the registration form, you will be directed to the PayPal website. A small offset is added to compensate for PayPal fees.
..
WANT SOME FREE ORIENTEERING??
If you can’t be there on time, control collectors are welcome after 3pm or so, with your own craft of course.
NAUTICAL ADVICE
- Wear clothing and shoes that you don’t mind being wet with lake water. You will get wet!
- Consider bringing a change of clothes
- Wear sunscreen
- Bring a zip lock bag(s) to store wallets and other valuables that could be damaged by water
- Do not leave valuable items loose inside the boat, canoe, or kayak. Car keys and cell phones sink if they are not in a bag that will float
- Stay Hydrated – bring a water bottle.
- Begin your excursion by rowing into the wind so it will be at your back when returning to the marina
- In the event of lightning, no boats will be allowed on the water. All boats on the water must come to shore immediately
PRE-REGISTRATION (required) – Use link above!
Register so we know how many waterproof maps to print.
STAFF
- Event Director – Sanae Rogers
- Course Designer – Jay Smink
- Setting – Jay Smink
- Check-in –
- Registrar (online) – Fred Mailey
- Park Liaison – Howard Montgomery
LOCATION
Stark County Park District-Walborn Reservoir
11324 Price St NE, Alliance, OH 44601