Sponsor David in the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge

In 2018 Dr. David Wicks with River City Paddle Sports in Louisville reached out to Brewster Rhoads who helped found Paddlefest in Cincinnati to see if any of the Paddlefest planning team would like to participate in a marathon paddle from Cincinnati to Louisville in a 30ft Voyageur canoe, start Saturday in Cincy and arrive Sunday in Louisville. I raised my hand. In the dark of night as we paddled on glass smooth water discussion turned to "How can we help more people experience this?" The seed for the Ohio River Way was planted.  

Eight years later the trail and the Ohio River Way Challenge continue to expand. Spanning 488 miles over 23 days, the Ohio River Way Challenge is an interdisciplinary expedition of "common adventures." Through paddling, storytelling, community engagement, and shared adventure, we will celebrate the beauty history, and culture of the Ohio River and its communities. This year is our most ambitious route yet! We'll travel from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN, and paddlers can join for one or more of the trip’s three week-long segments. Those of you that know me, know that I am an avid paddler. I have paddled all of the river miles from Columbus, OH to Louisville, KY. I will be joining the third leg of this  trip adding almost 200 miles to my count, paddling from Louisville, KY to Evansville, IN. 

We will journey in one 26-foot and two 30-foot voyageur canoes from the nonprofits Paddle Perry and River City Paddle Sports, respectively. Our Floating Lab," an interdisciplinary research hub for our student interns, will be onboard a volunteer-captained, 55-foot houseboat. Plus, we have a small onshore support team. Along the way, we camp in all sorts of places—including riverfront parks, Hipcamp sites, and islands! We typically have one meal per day in a river town, and members of the public are welcome to join us onshore. You can find our float plan here. 

This year, in the wake of our National Water Trail designation, we're especially excited that the National Park Service is sending a documentary filmmaker on the entire expedition!

Here is where you come in. The logistics and costs of the Challenge are supported through sponsorships. Which means all funds you pledge in support of my paddle goes directly to support the Ohio River Way's broader work. Whose mission: is to help people find adventure, to inspire care for the land and water, and to grow the economies of Ohio River communities. 

I would be extremely grateful for your help in reaching my goal of raising $750.

Please consider a donation by the mile:

• $0.10 a mile = $20
• $0.25 a mile = $50
• $0.50 a mile = $100
• $1.0 a mile = $200

Every tax-deductible donation will help.