The 2012 Paddle Battle is set for Friday at 11:30 a.m. on White River Canal. Teams from 20 different state agencies will compete for the coveted oar and bragging rights for another year. The team from the Indiana State Department of Health is going for its third consecutive Paddle Battle victory this year.

The first of four heats starts at 11:30 with the championship race set for approximately 12:10 p.m.

Heat Assignments

Heat 1
Alcohol & Tobacco Commission
Dept. of Correction
FSSA
Dept. of Child Services
Indiana Public Defender's Office

Heat 2
Attorney General
State Personnel Dept.
DNR
Dept. of Revenue
Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)

Heat 3
Horse Racing Commission
IDEM
Dept. of Administration
INDOT
OFBCI

Heat 4
ISDH
DWD
Auditor
Dept. of Homeland Security
BMV

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Race rules
The boats
Wheel Fun Rentals will provide the four-seater boats with pedals on the front two seats, so the back seat contestants are along for the ride. All boats must have four riders.

Racing teams meet at the boat launch at Ohio/West Streets on the canal at 11:15 a.m. Your team must have four individuals in the boat to race. We don't have many rules other than no intentional contact between boats. No blocking or use of hands to push another boat.

Format
20 teams will race a quarter-mile course in four heats of five boats in a single elimination battle. The winners of the four preliminary races will advance to the championship race, held 10 minutes after the last heat.

Course
The race will begin just west of the West Street bridge, in front of the artwork that sits in the canal. Boats will race down the canal toward IGCN and circle the fountain on the right. Once you navigate a 180-degree turn around the fountain, it's a dash for the finish line.

Use of oars
Wheel Fun Rentals can't guarantee they will have five oars on hand the day of the race. If you want to use oars, please bring your own oar. Teams can choose to use one large oar or two small oars if they choose. Some teams had a lot of problems using oars, but it looked like operator error in most cases. We just ask that there be no contact with the other boats with your oar or your hands, especially at the start of the race. Also don't lose oars in the canal.

Other information
If the race is postponed by rain/severe weather, we will notify you on the morning of the race and announce a makeup date.

Once we have a full field for the race we'll post practice times, race schedule and heat assignments on this page.

Past Champions

2011 Paddle Battle

Click photo to view gallery

The 7th Annual State Employee Paddle Battle was held August 26, 2011 on the White River Canal. For the second straight year, the team "On A Boat" from the Indiana State Department of Health won the championship race. ISDH stormed back in the final race to win in dramatic fashion. To relive the 2011 Paddle Battle, click the photo (at right) of the winning team below to view a photo gallery.

2011 - Indiana State Dept. of Health
2010 - Indiana State Dept. of Health
2009 - Office of the Indiana Attorney General
2008 - Indiana State Library
2007 - PERF
2006 - Indiana Office of Technology
2005 - Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security