Plan your next downtown adventure on the river. Yep, thanks to the folks at HERO USA and Columbus Recreation and Parks, August 5th marks the day you’ll be able to explore downtown via kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Urban adventurers will start out on land with some water safety pointers from instructors certified from the American Canoe Association. You’ll learn how to use your water craft as well as what to look for in terms of safe boating conditions. Instructors want you to have a blast, and they want the urban adventure to also be educational. You’ll head down to Huntington Park (650 Nationwide Boulevard)—not for baseball, though. Right behind the stadium offers the perfect launch pad for kayaks alongside your guide. HERO USA offers Paddle in the City events on Saturdays and Sundays for the rest of the summer. Depending on weather conditions, the outings will continue through October. As you cruise down the river in tandem kayaks, canoes and single kayaks, check out the skyline from a different perspective. During select hours, those adventurous enough to try their hand at the stand-up paddle boards, can take a guided paddle cruise at sunset. Not only will you have tons of fun, but as you paddle the river, you’ll be supporting a pretty cool nonprofit. HERO USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2009 by Domenic Buccilla, Michael Bain and Shane Keween with the mission to offer outdoor sports recreation and training for disadvantaged youth. (Think water adventures in the summer and snow adventures in the winter.) Paddle in the City will get you started on your riverfront urban adventures, and there’s plenty more to keep you entertained along the Scioto Mile. Click on through to learn more or sign up for your own urban adventure in the Scioto.