PaddleSplash Festival

06/18/2026

🌊 SAVE THE DATE! 🌊

Paddle Splash returns to Lake Natoma September 11–13, 2026!

For 13 years, Paddle Splash has brought together paddlers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts for a weekend celebrating community, wellness, and life on the water.

🏄 SUP • 🚣 Kayak • 🌺 OC-1 & OC-2 • All paddlers welcome!

Whether you're a seasoned racer, first-time paddler, or simply looking for a fun weekend on the water, there's something for everyone.

✨ Weekend highlights include:

🏁 Races for all levels, including a First Timers Race

🤝 Team & Family Relay

🌊 Water Safety Education

🏄 Beginner Clinics and opportunities to try something new

♠️ Poker Paddle – collect cards at checkpoints and return to the beach to play your hand for prizes

🐾 NEW! Pup Paddle – bring your dog on your SUP, meet the State Parks Bark Rangers, and join our Doggie Costume Contest

🧘‍♀️ SUP Yoga returns

🧒 Family-friendly activities

🎁 Prizes, vendors, and community

👀 And maybe a surprise or two…

We're still finalizing the exact venue location at Lake Natoma and will share registration and the full schedule soon.

This is more than a race weekend—it's a celebration of water, wellness, and community. And whether you paddle standing up, sitting down, or with a teammate, we hope you'll join us.

Mark your calendars and invite your paddle buddies—we can't wait to celebrate our 13th year with you!

💙 Paddle together. Explore together. Celebrate together.

06/04/2026

🌊 PaddleSplash Update 🌊
If you've been wondering why you haven't seen a PaddleSplash announcement yet, you're not alone!

After 12 incredible years as a summer event, we're working with California State Parks on a new timeline for PaddleSplash. As visitation at Lake Natoma has continued to grow, larger multi-day events are no longer being scheduled during the peak summer months.

The good news? PaddleSplash is absolutely happening.

We're currently exploring a Fall event and are excited about the opportunities that come with a new season on the water. While we don't have dates to share just yet, a lot of planning is happening behind the scenes, and we're working through the approval process with State Parks.

This next chapter of PaddleSplash may look a little different, but our mission remains the same: bringing together paddlers of all ages and abilities to celebrate community, water safety, wellness, and our shared love of being on the water.
We'll share more details as soon as we can. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and continued support. If you wish to donate to support our summer outreach programs, you can do that at our new donation site: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-13090

The best is yet to come. 💙

See you on the water,

Shelly Alves
Founder, Nor Cal SUP

05/08/2026

Registration is now open for our 2026 Groms Paddleboard team! We meet every Monday and Wednesday in June 5:30-7PM at various locations on Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. Learn water safety, explore and reconnect to nature!
Space is limited so register today
https://www.norcalsup.com/home

08/21/2025

We love this race! Go do it!
Surfrider is a great organization to support.

Even if the pet SUP race is out, still a ton of fun anytime John Hadley is around.

08/21/2025

🚨 Hey Paddle Splashers! 🚨

We have a HUGE opportunity to bring the **2026 USA SUP National Championships** right here to our backyard at **Lake Natoma** – home of world-class water and an amazing paddling community. 🌊💙

**USA SUP wants YOUR input** through their official survey, and every response counts toward making PaddleSplash the top choice. Let’s show them why Natoma is the place to be! 🙌

👉 Here’s how to answer the key questions in the survey:

* Region:** Southwest
* Race Name:** PaddleSplash Festival
* Events Hosted:** All the distances (check them all!)
* Why is this a great venue?*
Tell them in your own words: Location, water quality, racing experience, our incredible community – let’s shout it out loud!
* Race Director/Organization:*
Shelly Alves – NorCal SUP - [email protected]

PaddleSplash is already part of the regional race series – let’s take it to the national stage! 🏆

💬 Your feedback makes the difference. Please take a minute to complete the survey and help us bring Nationals to Lake Natoma!

🔗 Complete the Survey Here:

Tell us where you think we should have the next National Championships Event! We have hosted the event in three of our 6 regions so far - 2023/SW, 2024/SE, 2025/NC. We'd like to host the next three in the NW, NE, or SC. Where do YOU think we should have it? Tell us some basic information so we can g...

07/26/2025

Go time!!!

07/24/2025

We’ve got a full weekend of fun coming up—join in as much or as little as you’d like! Be sure to register for the events, even on the day of, as long as there’s space available.

Fort Rock Brewing
We’ll kick things off at Fort Rock Brewing in Rancho Cordova, conveniently located just across the freeway from the lake.

Saturday Post-Race Party
Celebrate the finish line at Red Bus Brewing Company in Folsom, just outside historic Old Town. Kombi Pizza Co. will be on site serving up delicious wood-fired pizza!

07/14/2025

Today is the last day to make your hotel reservation and get our discounted rate!

🏨 Racers, we need your support!
Staying at our host hotel, TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Rancho Cordova, helps us keep Paddlesplash going strong! 💪
✅ Lower rates
✅ 1 exit from the lake
✅ Walkable to the Barrel District 🍻
✅ Newest hotel in the area
✅ Free breakfast & WiFi
🗓️ Book by July 14 to get our special rate!
📍 11212 Point E Dr, Rancho Cordova
🔗 Book now: http://bit.ly/3HZfH9q
Every booking helps us meet city sponsorship goals. Let’s paddle together! 🛶💙
Visit Rancho Cordova

07/07/2025

Hello everyone! PaddleSplash is just a few weeks away and we need volunteers to help make this event a huge success. We have numerous jobs on and off the water through out the festival. If you have a little time to donate please consider signing up for a shift. Follow this link to see times/positions available.
Great weekend at the Lake with awesome people for a wonderful cause.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

07/02/2025

🌊🚣‍♀️ Make Waves This Summer at PaddleSplash! 🌞🧘‍♀️

Ready for adventure, relaxation, and pure FUN on the water? Join us at PaddleSplash, where excitement meets education in a splash-tastic lineup of activities! Whether you're new to paddling or a seasoned water warrior, there’s something for everyone:

🛶 Kayak Basics – Led by Headwaters Adventure Co
New to kayaking? No worries! The pros from Headwaters Adventure Co will guide you through the essentials—perfect for beginners and those wanting to build confidence on the water.

💪 Injury Prevention for Paddlers – Led by Salinda Chan, PT
Stay strong and paddle smart! Physical therapist Salinda Chan shares expert tips on posture, technique, and preventative care to help you stay safe and injury-free.

🧘‍♂️ SUP Yoga – Led by Full Circle Yoga
Find your flow with Full Circle Yoga! Enjoy a gentle yoga practice on a stand-up paddleboard, surrounded by nature. Breathe, stretch, and float into bliss. 🌅

♠️ The Poker Paddle
It’s part paddle, part poker, ALL FUN! Collect cards at checkpoints as you explore the water. Best hand wins a prize—so bring your game face AND your paddle! (Kids will play WAR with the dealer instead of Poker)

🎟️ Whether you're here for the thrill, the chill, or the skills, PaddleSplash is the ultimate way to soak up summer with friends, family, and fellow paddlers.

📍 Location: Nimbus Flat Recreation Area, Rancho Cordova
📅 Date: July 25-27, 2025
🔗 Register now: https://www.paddlesignup.com/Race/CA/RanchoCordova/Paddlesplash

Come for the paddling, stay for the community. Let’s paddle, play, and pose together on the water! 💙🌿


Visit Rancho Cordova SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store and Rentals Venture Wild Headwaters Adventure Company Full Circle Yoga & SUP

The Paddlesplash is on Friday July 25, 2025 to Sunday July 27, 2025. It includes the following events: 5 Mile Race (Saturday), Kids Long Race (Saturday) (ages 3-17), 200m Sprint Races (Saturday), 8 Mile Race (Sunday), 2 Mile Race (Sunday), Kids Sprint Race (Sunday), First Timer's Race (Sunday), 4 Pe...