Outdoors & Nature Insider

On April 18, head over to Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County for the 3rd Annual St. Johns River Paddle Battle! No, this isn't an event where people actually bash each other with paddles, but a fantastic canoe and kayak race with distances of either 4 or 10 miles, depending on which race you sign up for. 

Besides the race itself, there's also a raffle to win a Mad River Synergy 120 Hybrid Canoe. It's part kayak, part canoe, and one heck of a nice boat. The raffle tickets are $2 per ticket, so how can you resist the chance to win this awesome boat?

OK, back to the race. The course will lead you out of Blue Spring State park, and if you are just paddling the 4-miler, you'll go two miles upstream and turn around. The 10-mile course will take you around Hontoon Island, down Snake Creek, and back to Blue Spring. That's a nice paddle! I'd suggest you bring your own boat, but rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The entry fee for the event is $20 for the 4-miler, and $25 for the 10-miler. Oh, you'll get an event t-shirt too - I'm a sucker for the race shirts.

Have a great time at the St. Johns River Paddle Battle!