After Stumpy, one of the District’s most iconic cherry trees, was removed as part of the Tidal Basin’s seawall construction project, a new annual event was born to honor his sacrifice and raise proceeds for the Trust for the National Mall Cherry Tree Endowment Fund.
That event, Stumpy’s Petal & Paddle Race, is celebrating its second annual edition this Thursday afternoon at the Tidal Basin Boathouse, and the best part is that you can sign up to participate in the race!
This is one of the newest annual events affiliated with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as one of the first major festival-affiliated events of the season
How to register for Stumpy’s Petal & Paddle Race
The registration process is as simple as going to the event’s website and following the prompts!
Just select the time slot you want to participate in, fill out all the necessary information about yourself and any others you are registering, and pick out a team name!
The registration fee is $100 per boat (which covers two racers), and additional participants (up to 4 people total) can be added to your pedal boat for an additional fee of $20 per person.
While it may sound like a hefty price for participation, you can at least clear your conscience knowing that 50% of all proceeds will go towards the maintenance of cherry blossoms along the National Mall.
How is the race organized?
The races will have 6 timed heats, each featuring around 16 boats.
The boats will pedal from the Tidal Basin Boathouse towards the Jefferson Memorial, navigate around a buoy, and then pedal along the east side of the Basin.
Racers can check their assigned heat in their confirmation email, which will tell them their set start time.
Participants should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of their scheduled heat to ensure they are ready and avoid any issues.
The meeting spot for the race is at the Tidan Basin Boathouse at 1501 Maine Ave SW.
What are the prizes for the winners?
There are a few potential prizes up for grabs this year!
- Best Team Costume – $50 ‘Boating in D.C.’ Gift Card
- Fastest Time Overall – A 2026 Season Pass for ‘Boating in D.C.’
- Fastest Time Per Heat – $50 ‘Boating in D.C.’ Gift Card
