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State Employees' Paddle Battle

Paddle Battle XIV

Congratulations to the winners of Paddle Battle XIV, the Indiana Dept. of Transportation!

HEAT 1 (11:30 a.m.) – Arrive by 11:20 a.m. 
Indiana Finance Authority (IFA)
Indiana State Police (ISP)
Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
Management Performance Hub (MPH)
 

HEAT 2
Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) - 2006 Champions
Dept. of Correction (DOC)
Dept. of Child Services (DCS)
State Public Defender's Office - DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management (IDEM)
 

HEAT 3
Office of the Indiana Attorney General - 2009 Champions
Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR)
Adjutant General's Office
Indiana Dept. of Transportation (INDOT)
Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)
 

HEAT 4
Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) - 2017 Champions
Dept. of Revenue (DOR)
Office of Governor Holcomb
Indiana Dept. of Labor (IDOL)
Criminal Justice Institute (CJI)
 

HEAT 5
Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD)
State Budget Agency (SBA)
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC)
Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
Indiana Senate


Championship race follows at approximately 12:15 p.m.!
 

About the Paddle Battle

Once your team is confirmed by SPD Communications, please have the entry fee in cash ready to drop off to State Personnel’s Department, IGC-S W161, before the event.

Please be aware of these race guidelines:

  1. State Personnel accepts one team per agency, up to 25 teams until the field is full. You must have four riders selected before you submit your team. A spot is reserved for last year’s winner.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. No water balloon debris can be left in the water or on the canal bank.
  5. If you wish to practice, you can receive a reduced rate of $20 per boat for a half hour. Just mention to the rental office you are practicing for Paddle Battle and you will receive the discount rate.
  6. Wheel Fun Rentals can’t guarantee they will have oars on hand the day of the race. If you want to use oars, please bring your own. To stay informed on race information, please sign up to receive Around the Circle, subscribe here.

Rules of the Battle

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.

New Course setupRacing teams meet at the boat launch at Ohio/West Streets on the canal at 11 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. 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 rules official.

Oars are allowed. There are no limitations on the number of oars that can be used. If you want to use oars, please bring your own. We ask that there be no intentional contact with the other boats with your oar or your hands, especially at the start of the race.

Format

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

Course

The race begins under the West Street bridge so we can get a clean start. Boats race down the canal toward IGCN and circle the fountain on the left. Once you navigate a 180-degree turn around the fountain, it's a dash for the finish line located near the artwork that's in the fountain.

Past Champions

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