walnut 2 walnut river challenge

Walnut 2 Walnut River Challenge

Are You up for the Walnut2Walnut River Challenge?  Join us on Saturday, October 1!

REGISTRATION OPENING THIS SUMMER

The excursion begins at Schuylkill Banks and ends at Independence Seaport Museum's boat basin.

Kayaks paddling on the water at The Independence Seaport Museum
The challenge course offers spectacular views of the city, while traveling almost 15 miles along both rivers. The Walnut2Walnut River Challenge is suitable for experienced paddlers looking for a new way to get in touch with Philadelphia’s waterways. Want to volunteer at the Walnut2Walnut Challenge? Click here to contact us!
REGISTER HERE!

Walnut2Walnut Challenge FAQs

Participants will unload boats at South 25th and Spruce streets. The excursion begins at Schuylkill Banks, just a short walk away. The race ends at Independence Seaport Museum’s boat basin.  

Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Because of the speed of sculls, we cannot offer safety boat support to these vessels. We advise that these vessels are not used. Any boat participating should be suitable for the boat wakes and waves on the open water of the Delaware River. It is recommended all boats should be 11 feet in length or greater. Sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks are generally not suitable. If you are unsure as to whether your vessel is right for this challenge, contact us to discuss.

You don’t have to be an expert, but you should have some experience paddling your vessel. The date and time have been chosen so that paddlers can ride the incoming tide up the Delaware, making the Challenge easier on paddlers. Participants should be able to paddle their boat for as long as the average course time – five (5) hours – but many take breaks for lunch and to enjoy the sights. 

The Challenge offers spectacular views of the city’s river banks, bridges, piers, retired naval and commercial ships, historic masted ships and high-rise buildings while paddling 15 miles – down the Schuylkill River and up the Delaware River – from the west end of Walnut Street to the east end. 

Safety first! All participants are required to wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and whistle. 

visit the seaport museum

Immerse yourself in award-winning and interactive exhibits and climb aboard the oldest floating steel warship in the world on Cruiser Olympia and submerge yourself aboard the World War II-era Submarine Becuna.

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