The Pottsburg Distance Classic is Northeast Florida’s largest paddling event open to a variety of paddle crafts, and the race course highlights the beauty of Pottsburg Creek, the Arlington River, and the St. Johns River. This event brings paddlers from across the East Coast to our beautiful River City as they vie for fame and glory. 

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The PDC course makes its way from the tidal waters of the south side of Jacksonville on Pottsburg Creek to its confluence with the St. John's River. Paddlers make a loop around Exchange Island and return to the start, making a clean half-marathon distance.  Lucky paddlers will see any number of wildlife species native to NE Florida: manatees in Pottsburg Creek, Atlantic dolphins in the St. John's River, the occasional gator, and waterfowl of all kinds (including herons, cranes, cormorants, and pelicans). 

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Now in its second year, the Alenduffs envision the PDC as the kickoff event to a series of paddle races on the St. John's River, which can provide all kinds of race conditions from flatwater to big surf.