Join Athens Sunrise Rotary for the 3rd Annual Paddle for Polio Plus!
Paddle for Polio Plus is a unique fundraiser aimed to raise awareness and support for Rotary's quest to completely eradicate polio from the world. The initiative is over 3 decades strong and Rotary is #thisclose to complete eradication. Only a handful of cases have been reported in 2019, but the final push is more critical than ever. It is estimated that is will take about $1 Billion to finish the job.
Athens Sunrise Rotary aims to raise $2000 at #paddle2019, which will eventually vaccinate 3600 children thanks to a triple match by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
What is Paddle for Polio Plus? Glad you asked! #Paddle2019 is a unique fundraiser that combined the ever-popular "poker run" game with boating. Participants will be dealt a 5 card poker hand and will then set out in their kayaks or canoes across beautiful Lake Snowden to stop at a total of 5 checkpoints to receive stamps that eventually validate their poker hand. All participants receive a complimentary ticket into our door prize drawing ($500 value!!) with their registration fee. At each checkpoint, boaters will have the opportunity to purchase additional chances at the door prize drawing by paying $1 and completing a simple, fun challenge.
This year, the event will also feature a Guided Bike Ride around the Lake Snowden grounds.
The event is family-friendly and will feature music, free food and tons of games and activities for the entire family!
What can I expect at #Paddle2019?
Event Schedule:
12:00pm - Registration & Check In Opens / Chuckwagon Style Eats Available
1:00pm - Boaters permitted to launch (spend as much time on the water as you'd like)
2:00pm - Guided Bike Ride exits the pavillion area
2:30pm - GROUP PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - if you would like to be in our signature DRONE photo, be near the boat ramp area at 2:30!
3:00pm - Final boats out of the water
3:30pm - Prize Drawings and Winners Announced (Boaters MUST be at the pavillion by 3:30pm to be eligble for prizes)
Sounds great! What are the rules?
All boaters MUST have a coast-guard approved personal flotation device (PFD). Boaters under age 18 MUST wear the PFD at all times while on the water and adults MUST have a PFD on board.
All boaters and cyclists MUST complete and sign a liability waiver in order to participate in any of the events. All participants do so at their own risk.
All boaters and cyclists MUST return by 3:30pm to be eligible for prizes.
Poker Participants MUST collect all 5 stamps in order for their poker hands to be validated for competition. 100% of the proceeds from this event support Polio Plus. While there are fun prizes for winning the poker paddle game, there are NO cash payouts.
Paddle participants must present their registration confirmation in print or digital form upon checkin. Spectators may enjoy the festivities at no cost.
All participants are required to follow directions from event organizers.
More Important Information
#Paddle2019 participants are guests of Athens Sunrise Rotary at Lake Snowden, owned and operated by Hocking College, and should behave accordingly. Please enter and exit the property carefully and drive slowly. The event pavillion is located at the lower shelter house near the boat ramp. Ample free parking is available in the lot near the boat ramp. Parking passes are not needed to park in the lot near the ramp.
Food is free for participants and observers.
There are a limited number of kayaks, canoes and PFDs available for your use during each wave. Please indicate if you require the use of a boat from the event organizers. You are permitted and encouraged to bring your own kayak, canoe or SUP and PFD to participate in the event. It is your responsibility to ensure that your vessel is up to date with all Ohio boating laws and registration requirements.
All participants receive a complimentary entry into our prize drawing, all Paddle and Bike participants are encouraged to bring along small amounts of cash to participate in the BONUS challenges at each checkpoint. Spectators and participants can purchase additional chances at the event pavillion.
All registered participants in PADDLE will receive a Paddle for Polio Plus SWAG BAG upon check in that includes a water proof phone case lanyard! Participants in the BIKE RIDE receive a complimentary entry for the door prize ($500 value!!)
Registration sales are final.