Newsletter: 
Great Ohio River Paddle
Frequently Asked Questions
REGISTER for GORP
Q. What are the meal arrangements?
A. ORF will provide breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast varies from cereal, coffee, etc., at the campsite to delicious meals from restaurants for lunch. Snacks, gorp, water, etc., are available at the campsite in the morning to take with you. You may want to bring your favorite trail snack, but there will sufficient quantities of snacks available. Dinner will be at the campsite.
Q. Are there snacks available for on the water?
A. Yes, grab some snack bars or gorp at the campsite in the morning.
Q. Do I have to eat gorp to paddle in GORP?
A. Gorp consumption during GORP is suggested, but not required.
Q. How is the drinking water at the campsite?
A. ORF will provide drinking water in the campsites for refilling your water bottles, containers, or bladders.
Q. Do I need to have my boat registered with a license from KY?
A. No. Only mechanized vessel need to be registered in KY.
Q. Where do we stay on Saturday night?
A. We will be camping at the park area located at Warsaw Public Landing special guests of the City of Warsaw, Kentucky.
Q. Will someone be paddling with us who is familiar with the river and assist with problems that arise?
A. Yes, there will be guides and safety paddlers who will provide river information and basic first aid.
Q. Are barges a problem when paddling on the Ohio?
A. Barges stay in the channel in the middle of the river. Your guide will have a set of river charts which show the location of the channel. There is usually plenty of space and time between barges to allow us to make safe crossings, which we will do only occasionally. We give barges plenty of room. We check behind us periodically to know when a barge is approaching from behind.
Q. Why are the fees higher than rates at liverys or other events?
A. This event has food, guides, and other amenities. Also, this is a fundraising event. We need to make some profit to support our programs.
Q. Do we all paddle in the same group?
A. Both days you can choose to paddle in one of two Paddle Pods (see Trip Details page for PaddlePod info.). However, on Sunday we may decide to group pods and paddle as a larger group (especially when we lock through at Markland).
Q. Do I have to participate in the fundraising/paddler sponsorship feature?
A. We hope you will choose to do so as this is a fundraising event! Your participation can also enable others to help support our programs.
Q. Do I have to choose a PaddlePod now? Or, If I choose one now can I change my mind during GORP?
A. For planning purposes we'd like you to choose one during registration. However, you can change your mind at check-in on Saturday. You can also, change to another PaddlePod on Sunday; however, we may paddle as one large pod on Sunday making any PaddlePod decision moot for that day's paddle..
Q. Are the fees per boat or per person?
A. The fees are per person.
Q. Can I paddle as fast as I want to?
A. Yes, but you cannot go ahead of the group or beyond boundaries (real or imaginary) set by the guides. For a speed workout we can also tether you to a slower heavier boat with a couple of sumo wrestlers as occupants.
Q. Do we need to carry all our gear in our boat?
A. No. If you don’t want to carry your overnight and extra gear in your boat, ORF will provide a truck to transport your gear from beginning day put-in to end of day take-out locations.
Q. What restroom facilities are available?
A. There are public restrooms at Warsaw Public Landing and Vevay, IN, and some facility at the Saturday put-in.
Q. Are there showers available?
A. We plan to have outdoor showers available at Warsaw Public Landing. These outdoor showers are primarily for rinsing off the day's sunscreen, sweat, river water, etc. Don't expect privacy. Luxurious private showers will have to wait till you get back home.
Q. Should I bring my cell phone with me on the water?
A. You can, but we can't guarantee that you won't get splashed by your boating comrades if you use it.
Q. Will there be a shuttle to get me back to my car?
A. ORF will provide a shuttle ride from Vevay on Sunday to your the starting point of your trip at Saturday's put-in.
Q. Will ORF watch my boat while I drive my car back from Saturday's put-in location?
A. Yes, we will watch over your boat until you return to pick it up.
Q. Where can I stay the night before?
A. We'll let registrants know if we locate options.
Q. Any gear rentals?
A. Not from us this year. You can try to find a local outfitter who might offer some services for a fee.
Q. Can I bring my pet(s)?
A. We like dogs, and some other pets, but 5-6 hrs. in a boat with no shade can be grueling. Also, on a windy day or stormy conditions, it can be treacherous to have pets in boats. So, as a general rule we have to ask that you leave your pet at home.
Q. If I can only paddle on Saturday, can I stay and enjoy dinner?
A. Yes! You can enjoy the food and lively conversation, but you still have to pay the full trip fee AND you have to provide your own transportation from Warsaw Public Landing back to the put-in location.
Q. Can I have alcoholic beverages at the campsite on Saturday night?
A. Information pending...We'll let paddlers know.
Q. Why paddle the Ohio River?
A. For the fun of it. For learning more about the Ohio River - up close and personal. For seeing the river communities from the perspective of the river. To support the only river conservation organization trying to protect and improve the whole river.