Here we go!
Thanks for participating, along with your boat, in Paddle at the Point, the region’s celebration of its watershed on World Environment Day. You and more than 2,300 of your friends and neighbors are about to shatter the Guinness World Record for Largest Raft of Canoes and Kayaks!
Here is the complete scoop on the day’s events:
- 9 – 10 am – Arrive at Heinz Field Gold Lot #1
- 11 am – Staging and safety briefing
- 11:15 am – 12:30 pm – Boats launch and raft up at the point
- 12:30 – 1 pm – Record attempt!
- 1 pm – Return to your launch point
- 2 pm – Rivers reopen to motorized boat traffic
There’s tons of great stuff happening downtown that day. Enjoy the rest of your day in Pittsburgh!
Parking
You can park for free in Heinz Field Gold Lot #1. Click here for directions. Follow the signs toward Heinz Field. Venture Outdoors volunteers will help direct you. Venture Outdoors staff and volunteers will be there to check you in and help you get your boat and other gear and get on the water on time.
Please arrive when the parking lots open at 9 am. If you arrive later than 10 am, you are not guaranteed to get on the water in time for the record.
Check in
Everyone must check in! It’s a simple, quick process of telling us your name so we can check the roster and give you a wristband. The wristband is your entry for raffle prizes, including tickets to Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Symphony, Opera, Ballet and season passes to Kayak Pittsburgh!
Checking in also helps us accurately count you for the world record, and later you’ll use your wristband to redeem your certificate of participation. After we set a new world record, we’ll include your name on a commemorative website. We’ll likely have commemorative t-shirts for sale in the weeks after Paddle at the Point, too.
You will check in at the Heinz Field ramp as you get your rental boat, paddles, and life vests.
NOTE: ALL boaters must wear a life vest. The high density of boats requires that everyone follow best practices for safety.
If you have not already paid for your boat, bring cash or a check. Exact change is appreciated. Credit cards will not be accepted due to time constraints.
What to bring
Porta-Johns will be available, but there won’t be vendors selling food or drink.
Bring:
- Rain jacket or poncho!
- Water and snacks
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Anything else you need to be comfortable out on the water
NOTE: ALL boaters must wear a life vest. The high density of boats requires that everyone follow best practices for safety. Rental boats include life vests and paddles.
Record attempt
To form a raft, we’ll be assisted by ropes to stay in place. Once everyone is gathered together in the raft, we’ll announce the beginning of the record attempt and release the ropes. According to the rules, the flotilla must be free-floating and held together only by hands. No boats can be lashed together by ropes.
The flotilla must free float on the water for at least 30 seconds. A helicopter will take a photograph for verification.
The announcer will let you know when the record attempt is complete.
Weather
If you don’t like the weather in Pittsburgh, you just wait for it to change! As of now, we are a “Go” for the record attempt. Any decisions to cancel the event will be made just prior to launch time. We’ll be watching the weather closely. If there are unsafe conditions on the water because of high water or lightning, we will cancel the boat launches. So please bring your rain gear, patience, and good cheer.
