Paddles Up Niagara is an annual event that is open to all paddlers. The event first established in 2005 and steeped in Native American tradition celebrates the cultural, historic and scenic attributes of the upper Niagara River. Paddlesports safety education is a common theme throughout the day's activities.

There is an early morning kayak poker run with prizes followed by a trade show that includes on water rescues demonstrations and a paddling sprint competiion. The event concludes with a supervised leisurely paddle around the southern tip of Grand Island. Every paddler gets a free souvenir shirt and except for the entry fee to Beaver Island State Park there is no cost to any event participant.

http://old.niagaragreenway.org/paddlesup_2012.htm