ODNR Division of Watercraft Kayak Pond Returns, Bigger and Better at Ohio State Fair

A larger and improved kayak pond with kayaks made of recycled materials will return for a second year to the Ohio State Fair which runs Wednesday, July 29 through Sunday, August 9. Aimed at introducing youth to the excitement of paddle sports, the kayak pond will once again be the centerpiece of the 8-acre Natural Resources Park.

Youth over 48 inches tall are encouraged to visit the 7,200-square-foot pond, located behind the Smokey Bear exhibit and the Natural Resources Park’s Pavilion building at the southeast corner of the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. The opportunity to paddle for a brief time under the supervision and instruction of watercraft professionals -- including getting fitted for a lifejacket and paddle -- is free of charge for participants who are over 48 inches in height.

Those interested in paddling must check in at the Rudder’s Boat Shack located in the southeast quadrant of the Natural Resources Park behind the Amphitheater. A liability waiver must be signed by an adult guardian or parent and the paddlers will be assigned a starting time.

The first part of the paddling session is a safety talk regarding the importance of safe kayak operation, maintaining three points of contact while in the boat, and wearing a life jacket. Paddlers then will be fitted for a life jacket before trying their hand at kayaking.

A fun fact about the kayaks is that they are made of recycled materials.

The ODNR Division of Watercraft’s new kayak pond was the top new attraction at last year’s Ohio State Fair as more than 3,500 participants enjoyed the free attraction. The kayak pond is in operation daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at this year’s state fair. A parent or guardian is required to sign a release form and select which time slot the paddler will be attending. A wrist bracelet is the paddler's "ticket" to their paddling session, which starts with a short safety talk. Paddlers are then fitted with lifejackets and spent 10 to 15 minutes in the kayak, monitored by ODNR and Watercraft staff and volunteers in the kayak pond giving instructions and assistance with strokes and technique.

“The results were well beyond our expectations and we plan to feature the kayak pond at next year’s state fair,” said Pamela Dillon, chief of the Division of Watercraft of last year’s kayak pond activity.

“Our staff and volunteers made [the kayak pond] the success it was,” said Emily King, manager of the ODNR Division of Watercraft Public Information and Education Section. “They did their best to ensure everyone had a positive experience. The kids were all smiles and their parents had video cameras and camera phones in hand, getting it all. It was awesome!”

As a new, improved, and expanded kayak pond has been constructed in the Natural Resources Park, this will enable more youth and their parents/guardians to experience paddling a kayak made of recyclable materials. In order to accommodate this expansion, the ODNR Division of Watercraft needs workers, age 18 and over from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 9 to fill two shifts at each site (Boat Shack and Kayak Pond) with staff and volunteers. Boat Shack duties will include registering the public for a 30 minute kayak program by having them reserve a time, signing a waiver, and putting on a wristband. Boating safety literature stocking will also be a necessary duty for this assignment. Kayak Pond positions include: launch, debark, pond monitors (mid pond, pond end) and life jacket fitters.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of these positions, please contact Rob Lucas at rob.lucas@dnr.state.oh.us or (614) 265-6435.