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State Employees' Paddle Battle

Paddle Battle XIX

Friday, Sept. 12 at 11:30 a.m.
White River Canal

About the Paddle Battle

Have you wanted to race down White River Canal to bring glory to your state agency? Have you dreamed of being crowned the winner and support a charity at the same time? Both are possible at the 19th Annual State Employees’ Community Campaign Paddle Battle competition!

At 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, teams from 26 state agencies will compete on the White River Canal for the coveted oar and bragging rights for the year. And just like in previous years, we're doing it for charity. The entry fee is $40 per team and the proceeds are donated to the 501 (c) (3) charity of the winning teams choosing.

Heat assignments for Paddle Battle XIX

Heat 1

SCAR: Department of Correction (IDOC)
OARs for DORs: Department of Revenue (DOR)
Houseboat Express: Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA)

Heat 2

State Paddle Department: State Personnel Department (INSPD)
Indiana Arts Commission (IAC)
(Insert Name Here): Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)

Heat 3

Team Jay: Department of Child Services (DCS)
Canal Crushers: State Board of Accounts (SBOA)
Loan Sharks: Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)

Heat 4

Traffic Jammers: Department of Transportation (INDOT)
MCU Mad Paddlers: Department of Correction (IDOC - MCU)
2 Old Men and their Replacements: Indiana Office of Technology (IOT)

Heat 5

The Salty Sirens: Department of Health (IDOH)
The Sons of Odin: Adjutant Generals Office (AGO)
Claws & Effect: Department of Insurance (IDOI)

Heat 6

Homeland Security: Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)
OARder in the Court: Attorney General (ATG)
Booze Cruise: Alcohol & Tobacco Commission (ATC)

Heat 7

DLGF Paddle Battle: Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF)
Budget Buoys: State Budget Agency (SBA)
Blazin' Paddles: Department of Child Services (DCS)

Heat 8

NDI: Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA)
The Lien Machine: Department of Child Services (DCS)

Rules of Paddle Battle

Registration Guidelines

  1. Up to two teams per agency with 3,000+ employees can register, and up to one team per agency with up to 2,999 employees, up to 25 teams until the field is full. A spot is reserved for last year’s winner, the Indiana State Personnel Department.
  2. You must have four riders selected before you submit your team.
  3. If multiple teams from an agency register, preference is given to the first team to register via email with their completed information. Remaining teams are placed on an alternate list and notified if a spot opens up.
  4. Once the field is full, teams are assigned into five heats with a random draw. The winners of the five heats qualify for the championship race.

Race Guidelines

  1. Racing teams meet at the Invest In Your Health tent near the boat launch at Ohio/West Streets on the canal at 11 a.m. on race day.
  2. Your team must have four individuals present to race.
  3. Oars will be provided.
  4. Life jackets will be provided and required.
  5. No intentional contact with the other boats with your boat, your oar, or your hands or feet, especially at the start of the race.
  6. A Race Official will instruct teams prior to the start of each race and will monitor conduct. All rulings, including disqualifications, are the final decision of the Race Official.

Spectator Guidelines

  1. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on the teams, splash and spray the competition, and have some fun!
  2. Please be safe and respect the competitors and the canal.
  3. No water balloons allowed.
  4. No debris/trash can be left in the water or on the canal bank.
  5. No dumping of water off the West Street bridge.

Paddle Battle Course

Other race details

Boats

Wheel Fun Rentals provides the provides the two-seater kayaks, oars, and life jackets. Life jackets must be worn during the competition.

Format

26 teams will race a quarter-mile course in nine heats of three in a single elimination battle. The winners of the nine preliminary races will advance to the second round, held 5 minutes after the last heat. The second round will have three heats, and the winners of those heats will advance to the final round, held 5 minutes after the last heat.

Course

The race begins just east of the West Street bridge so we can get a clean start. The first two teammates will race down the canal toward IGC-N and make a full loop around the fountain, counterclockwise, and proceed to the 2nd half of the team waiting by IGC-N. Once you reach the 2nd half of your team, you will hand off your paddles to them and they will take off back toward the West Street bridge, making a full loop around the fountain, counterclockwise. The finish line will be just before the West Street Bridge—the same spot where the first round of kayaks started the race.

Video of the course: Paddle Battle Course.mp4

INSPD Paddle Battle teamPast Champions

2025 - TBD!
2024 - State Personnel Department (pictured)
2023 - State Board of Accounts
2022 - Indiana Dept. of Transportation
2021 - Indiana Dept. of Transportation
2020 - No race was held due to COVID-19
2019 - Indiana Dept. of Transportation
2018 - State of Indiana Public Defender
2017 - Family and Social Services Administration
2016 - State Personnel Department
2015 - No race was held. Rained out.
2014 - Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
2013 - Office of the Indiana Attorney General
2012 - Indiana State Dept. of Health
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