Yesterday was the 2023 Ridgefield Big Paddle in Washington state, a popular event commemorating the designation of the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail on National Trails Day.

Ever wondered what it’s like to paddle with hundreds of others on a glorious Pacific Northwest day, complete with dragon boat rides, canoe rides, kayak rentals, live music, and more?

We joined the 5- mile roundtrip flotilla event on Lake River yesterday and snapped a bunch of photos and videos to share with our Flatwater Kayak Club community…

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About The Ridgefield Big Paddle event

This popular event in Ridgefield, Washington began over a decade ago to celebrate and honor the creation of the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail. It is traditionally held on National Trails Day (the first Saturday in June).

Big Paddle is an annual event organized by the charming city of Ridgefield.

The Indigenous history of the Water Trail

The Chinookan Peoples have long called this area of the Columbia River home. In fact, the village of Cathlapotle was once the largest on the river. The village was excavated in the 1990s, and a replica Plankhouse was built on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge as a language and interpretative center.

The 2023 Big Paddle Event Recap

We arrived early to pick up a single kayak rental from Alder Creek, which is a popular multi-location local paddle shop in the PNW, with an on-water business in Ridgefield, Washington (this location is identified as Ridgefield Kayak Rentals).

By the time we were set up with our kayaking gear and paddling upriver towards the start of the event, the Traveling Day Society drum circle was playing along the waterfront to kick off the Big Paddle adventure.

The event Opening Ceremony began with awakening the Ridgefield Dragon Boats, and then the relaxing, fun flat water paddling trip began with a journey 2.5 miles north on Lake River, past the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, with a turn-around at the Columbia River.

Wildlife sightings

A bald eagle swooped down during the Big Paddle event opening ceremony, which felt like a cinematic way to start the paddling experience.

We saw several more bald eagles during our 2 hour kayaking trip along the river, as well as a great blue heron, swallows, and an osprey.

[Read more: Common wildlife you can spot while kayaking in the Pacific Northwest and 20 breathtaking species you can see from your kayak boat in the PNW].

Event summary

This was such a fun event – the largest group paddle that I’ve ever participated in – and it was a lot of fun to talk with other paddlers about kayakers about gear, animals, conservation, and flatwater kayak routes. I will definitely be back next year, and I’ll be bringing the family!

[Related reading: learn how to plan a river clean-up with kayakers in your community, and paddle on Washington’s Wind River at sunset for epic Gorge views].

Thank you to all the event organizers and participants for a fun time - and promoting safe practices on the water and protecting the incredible wildlife and ecosystems of this area.

About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned kayaking lifestyle business based in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon. As a free online community, we bring together kayaking enthusiasts from all over the world to share their love for flat water paddling in the Pacific Northwest.