Clear Currents Community Paddling Event 2025

Grab Your Paddles and Help Us Light Up the River During WaterFire Providence’s Clear Currents Community Paddling Night!

What is Clear Currents?

Clear Currents is a community paddling event celebrating clean water in Rhode Island. The improved water quality in the entire bay area over the past few years is due to the Narragansett Bay Commission’s Combined Sewer Overflow Project.

Clear Currents features up to 80 registered kayaks paddling up and down the river after sunset, with illuminated Japanese koi (fish) temporarily mounted on the front of the kayaks. The brightly colored fish beautifully complement the 76 wood-burning braziers installed on the river! 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Clear Currents Sponsorships help us to keep registration costs lower so more paddlers can participate. Support the 2025 Clear Currents Community Paddling Night through sponsorship and help keep this healthy outdoor recreation and environmental event affordable. Larger sponsorship packages are available; contact Kelly Pattison at kelly@waterfire.org for details on levels and benefits. Micro-sponsorships are also offered for individuals and small businesses; reach out to Kellie Martin at kellie@waterfire.org to learn how you can contribute. All levels of support are appreciated and help the paddling community thrive.

How Can You Participate?

Any experienced paddler, over the age of 18, who owns a kayak is encouraged to sign up and join us in this unique on-the-water event. Clear Currents is a special opportunity to play an active role in WaterFire’s work of art and experience the event up close and personal right on the river!

There is a participation fee to help cover the cost of materials for this exciting event. The fee includes a Clear Currents commemorative T-shirt for registered participants. 

• $50 for a one-person Kayak

All paddlers must be 18+ years old to participate. On event day, kayak drop-off/check-in will be in the early afternoon. During the evening event, please expect to paddle on the river for about three hours.

Maps, parking info, and a more detailed timeline will be sent to all participants closer to the event.

RESTRICTIONS:

• As this event requires long periods of sustained paddling, all participants are expected to be experienced paddlers.
• Participants must provide their own kayak, paddles, and personal flotation device(s).
• This event accepts solo kayaks only.
• Due to safety considerations, no other type of vessel will be allowed (no paddle boards, canoes, or inflatable kayaks).
• Only kayaks that are under 14′ in length will be accepted due to safety requirements on the river. No outriggers will be allowed.
• WaterFire will provide the illuminated fish and all appropriate mounting devices and will install them on your kayak in a temporary, non-destructive fashion
• Participants will be divided into six “schools” that paddle together during the event. If you are attending Clear Currents as a group, please include the names of your friends/family when signing up.

If you have any questions, please email them to WaterFire Providence at clearcurrents@waterfire.org

REFUND POLICY:

• WaterFire Providence will offer full refunds until the close of ticket sales at 12:00 PM on July 25th, 2025. After the close of ticket sales, there will be a cancellation fee of $25 for all canceled registrations.
• No refunds will be offered within 24 hours of the event start time or after the event
• Refunds must be requested in writing by emailing clearcurrents@waterfire.org.
• All events are considered “rain-or-shine” events. We will make every effort to ensure the safety and comfort of all of our participants and visitors. A forecast of scattered rain/rain showers will not cancel the event.