Get your pencils and sketchpads out – it’s time to start planning and building your raft!

Thank you for registering your team for Pella’s first Paddle Battle! Please have each member of your team DOWNLOAD and complete the waiver form, and return it to the PACE Alliance office by June 30, 2023.

Watch for parking details and further instructions to be emailed to your team members two weeks prior to the event.

If you should have questions in the meantime, please contact the PACE Alliance office at info@pella.org or 641-628-2626.

See the Paddle Battle Rules below for details.

Pella Paddle Battle Rules

We promote a safe, family-oriented event. We encourage all participants to act in a responsible sportsman-like manner, obey all safety requirements and raft race rules, assist their fellow rafters when necessary, and above all, enjoy the event. Remember, safety comes first! Watch out for fellow rafters, lend assistance when needed, and have fun.

Raft Rules:

· All rafts must be of homemade construction. No commercially manufactured hulls are allowed on any raft.

· All entries must be solely human-powered and self-propelled and make use of poles, oars, paddles, paddlewheels, sails, propellers, flippers, etc. or any combination thereof. No motors are allowed.

· All rafts will be inspected prior to launching and may be subject to modification at the discretion of the Paddle Battle Committee.

· A raft’s deck must be securely fastened to a frame and the frame securely fastened to the flotation devices.

· Each entry must be equipped with a suitable towline that is easily accessible.

· Each participant must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket in their possession that should be worn at all times.

· All crew members shall wear sneakers or other appropriate footwear to prevent injuries from submerged sharp objects.

· One safety whistle per boat is required. Only blow in extreme emergency to notify water safety boats.

· Teams are responsible for and required to get their own raft into and out of the water and off the beach directly after the race. No ATVs will be allowed!

· Teams consist of 2-6 participants per raft

· All participants must be 16 years or older

· The event will be held at the North Overlook Beach Saturday, July 8, 2023

· Registration is at 7 am the morning of the event

· There will be a Water Safety meeting prior to the race start. All participants must attend.

· If rained out, the rain date is the following Saturday, July 15, 2023