Pijinuiskaq Parade of Paddlers returns for Paddlefest 2025

BRIDGEWATER, NS - Following the phenomenal success of the Parade of Paddlers on the LaHave (Pijinuiskaq) River in 2024 in honour of Bridgewater's 125^th anniversary, Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia (CKNS), Cape LaHave Adventures and the Town of Bridgewater are pleased to announce the event will return in 2025, expanding to become the Pijinuiskaq Paddle Festival, a two-day event, September 20 and 21, 2025.

The very vibrant and eye-catching Parade of Paddlers, which attracted 170 paddlers last year, will take place once again, this time on Sunday, September 21, beginning at 11 a.m.

Honouring the areas ancestral and cultural connection to the LaHave River, the event name continues to reflect the traditional Mi’kmaq name for the LaHave River, Pijinuiskaq, meaning having long joints or branches.

The mass paddle event starts and ends at Shipyards Landing, along the west bank of the river, with the paddle route travelling northward through the heart of downtown Bridgewater and under the two bridges before turning back. The route is a gentle paddle and about 2 kilometres in length.

The Parade of Paddlers is open to everyone, residents and visitors alike – registration is required, but the event is FREE to join. Participants need to bring along their own canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard and safety equipment, however rentals can be pre-arranged.

Among the boats participating again this year will the be the 10-person “Big Canoes” thanks to the continued partnership between CKNS and the South Shore Multicultural Association.

New for this year is the addition of paddling clinics, which will take place on Saturday, September 20. Nearly 60 spots are available within Beginner Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking, Rescue clinics, Basics of Adaptive Paddling, Greenland roll training and more. There is a $20 fee to participate in the workshops.

The clinics are coordinated and offered through event partner, Cape LaHave Adventures in Dublin Shore. Co-owner Sarah Hrdlicka says they are excited to be a part of the event and its growth.

“We're looking forward to hosting and helping more people access our ocean playground and learn skills that enable them to stay safe and enjoy our beautiful backyard, including the LaHave River and the LaHave Islands archipelago,” she said.

Brian Crooks, Board Member with Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia and member of the planning committee says the Pijinuiskaq Paddle Festival embodies the core mission of CKNS, to foster safe, inclusive, and environmentally responsible paddling across Nova Scotia.

“Through this event, we are proudly bringing people together to enjoy the scenic LaHave River as we strengthen the paddling culture in Bridgewater and along the South Shore,” he said. 

With an eye toward showcasing how paddling can unite people in celebration of nature, heritage, and accessibility, Bridgewater’s Mayor David Mitchell said he’s thrilled to welcome back the Pijinuiskaq Parade of Paddlers and the expanded program for the community.

“The LaHave River is our Town’s most beautiful natural resource and seeing more than 170 paddlers on the river last year was magical.” he said.

“This event is a fantastic legacy stemming from the Town’s 125th anniversary celebrations last year, and we couldn’t be more enthusiastic to see this type of activation of our waterway here in the heart of the LaHave River Valley,” Mayor Mitchell added.

While the group paddle itself is fun and meaningful for paddlers, it’s fun for spectators too. On the day of the paddle, the public is invited to meet and mingle among the participants Shipyards Landing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. as they prepare to depart and organizers suggest Pijinuiskaq Park in downtown Bridgewater is perfect for watching the boats on the water pass through Town.

The Pijinuiskaq Paddle Festival intertwines within Bridgewater’s Harvest Moon Music Festival on September 19 and 20, and the 2025 Nova Scotia 55+ Games which takes place the same week. Organizers hope paddlers will plan to incorporate these events during their visit.

Presented by CKNS and Cape LaHave Adventures in partnership with the Town of Bridgewater, the Festival is supported by Paddle Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

For more information and to register for the 2025 Pijinuiskaq Paddle Festival as a participant or a leader, or to register for one of the workshops visit https://ckns.ca/pijinuiskaq-paddle-fest-2025/ or explorebridgewater.ca.