If you've spotted witches paddling down the Scioto River in years past, you're not just seeing things.
What you are seeing is the Witches Paddle, an annual spooky-season tradition that's been rapidly growing across the country. Paddleboarders get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up like witches and making their way down or around whatever body of water their brooms can paddle them through.
In 2019, Bexley Middle School attendance secretary Suzanne Klingelhofer launched the Columbus Witches Paddle with just herself and two friends, Chris Millard and Deb Grayson, who formed the hobby group Paddle Broads. What began as three witches brewing up some fun turned to dozens in 2025 who ventured out onto the Scioto River for cackling and camaraderie.
Columbus has built its own coven
Klingelhofer first discovered a love of paddleboarding in 2010 on a trip down the Yellowstone River. By the end of her vacation, she was hooked. She bought two blow-up paddleboards from the woman who had guided their trip, even though paddleboarding wasn't a top hobby in Columbus at the time.
In 2019, Klingelhofer asked Millard and Grayson to join her, inspired to dress up as witches by the woman she'd bought the boards from, who did her own Witches Paddle in Montana.
Even with such small numbers, they caught the attention Columbus residents. Over the past seven years, they've grown to more than 40 participants, with even more expected in 2026.
Since the first Columbus Witches Paddle, the witches have perfected the ideal costumes for a crisp fall day with a chance of falling into a river. Heavy capes aren't practical, but plastic table cloths do nicely, Klingelhofer said, and witch hats should have weight to them with a secure tie. She also suggested neoprene boots with traction and lighter weight clothing you wouldn't mind getting wet.
But the costumes aren't confined to the paddlers. Klingelhofer has had a skeleton or black cat prop attached to her paddleboard, and she's also seen cauldrons and even a dog decked out in a witch costume.
Regardless of costume or skill, Klingelhofer encouraged anyone interested not to be afraid to try it. You can sit, stand or paddleboard on your knees, and you'll have your coven by your side, after all.
In 2025, the Clintonville Roller Club joined the coven. Lauren Phaneuf, the club's founder, expects to top the roughly 20 roller skaters from last year. Also dressed as witches, skaters or those on other forms of wheels will zip in tandem with the Witches Paddle down the Scioto Mile.
"We just don't take ourselves too seriously," Phaneuf said. "It's really just about getting out, building friendship, building community and being a witch for a day."
Witches take flight on Oct. 24
Witches and warlocks alike can participate in the paddle and with the roller club on Oct. 24 at Bicentennial Park at the Main Street Bridge. The paddle will be pushed to Oct. 25 in case of rain, which you can stay up to date on with @paddlebroads on Instagram.
Organizers ask that participants arrive by 9:30 a.m. for a group photo before launching at 10 a.m. Participants are also asked to bring their own board and paddle.
If you're partial to staying on land, anyone on skates, roller blades, scooters or any form of wheels you might use on a paved path will also meet at the Main Street Bridge.
If you aren't a skater or a paddler, spectators are always welcome.
Business and consumer issues reporter Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at shendrickson@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus witches prepare for annual river paddle
