Columbus Witches Paddle

The Columbus Witches Paddle returns to the Scioto River on Saturday, October 24, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. The group meets at the ramp just north of the Main St bridge, on the Bicentennial Park side of the river. The premise is simple: a group of witches and warlocks paddle the river in costume. The route is straightforward, too—the group paddles upstream and then back to the same spot.

The event is run by The Paddlebroads, a group that formed around a few women from Bexley who started paddleboarding together in 2019. They set out on their first Witch Paddle that same year and have been paddling and exploring around Columbus ever since. Anyone is welcome to join, witch or warlock, provided they come in costume and bring their own paddleboard.

If you're short on costume ideas, the group has a few suggestions for putting something together on a budget. They recommend black plastic tablecloths from the dollar store as short capes, and hats with ties to keep them from blowing away. Once you've got your gear sorted, you just head to the ramp and join the pack. It's free to participate, and the whole thing runs from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on the morning of Saturday, October 24.