Whitewater Events
Let’s Get Wet!
From weekend warriors to experienced whitewater athletes, the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival welcomes participants of all experience levels for our river events.
The Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival offers a variety of whitewater events including:
- Kayak races
- Rafting races
- Surf competitions
- Stand up paddle board races
- Play wave demos
- Raft rodeos
- Build your own boat competitions
Sign up online and enjoy a weekend full of activities.
Which Will You Participate?
Friday Events
*Event schedule is subject to change
River Play Wave Demos
Show off your SUP, kayak, raft or duckie skills on the Centennial Park play wave.
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
FREE
Time of Event
Friday at 4:00 pm
Distance
N/A
SUP Parade
This is a SUP show of force. If you SUP come show the town. Interesting outfits encouraged. There will be two launches – one for beginner paddlers from Pink House to the Pedestrian Bridge (WKRP Wave), and one for intermediate paddlers from 1st Street (Green Gate) to the Pedestrian Bridge (WKRP Wave).
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
FREE
Time of Event
Friday at 5:00 pm
Distance
~0.5 miles
Cañon City Mattress Races
The first-ever Cañon City Mattress Race. Bring any inflatable air mattress you’ve got and race head-to-head down the Arkansas River in a high-stakes, low-budget battle from the Ice House Wave to the WKRP Wave. No paddles. No motors. Just raw current and river chaos. First across the finish wins it all.
Experience Level
Beginners age 12+
Event Cost
FREE
Time of Event
Friday at 5:30 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Spots Available
20 total (first come first serve)
Community Raft Race Auction & Time Trial
Join in with a team as you bid for a professional guide (employed by a local whitewater rafting company). You’ll be guided through town to the play wave at Centennial Park. Auction Starts at 5:15 Main Stage. Race leaves from Pink House at 6:15 p.m. This registration is for the person organizing the team.
Experience Level
Beginners age 12+
Event Cost
FREE (With bid on guide)
Time of Event
Friday – Guide auction at 6:00 pm, race at 6:30 pm
Distance
~1.25 miles
Royal Gorge Race | Kayak Races
This race is for boaters experienced in the Gorge. Start at Garcia Beach (15 miles west on US Hwy 50) and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.
Experience Level
Advanced
Event Cost
$35
Time of Event
Friday at 6:00 pm
Distance
12 miles
Royal Gorge Race | Raft Races
This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. This event is for a team of 6 individuals. Start at Garcia Beach (15 miles west on US Hwy 50) and end at the lower feature in Cañon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.
Experience Level
Advanced
Event Cost
Included in flat fee at registration
Time of Event
Friday at 6:05 pm
Distance
12 miles
Royal Gorge Race | Rafts
This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. This event is for a team of 6 individuals. Start at Garcia Beach (15 miles west on US Hwy 50) and end at the lower feature in Cañon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling.
Experience Level
Advanced
Event Cost
$50 per team
Time of Event
Friday at 6:10 pm
Distance
12 miles
Saturday Events
*Event schedule is subject to change
Rafting Sprints
Starting at the top of the Centennial Park water features, race your raft as fast as you can to the bottom of the feature. Ready, set, go!
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
Included in flat fee at registration
Time of Event
Saturday at 8:00 am
Distance
~0.25 miles
Rafting Slalom
Slalom through gates set in the river without touching them. Best time wins!
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
Included in flat fee at registration
Time of Event
Saturday at 10:00 am
Distance
~0.25 miles
Rafting Head 2 Head Race
Two rafts start at the same time. You must go around one buoy on each side of the river. First one to finish moves on to the next round. Tournament-style scoring.
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
Included in flat fee at registration
Time of Event
Saturday at 10:00 am
Distance
~0.25 miles
SUP Head 2 Head Race
This is a mass start event. Competitors will navigate around two buoys, one on each side of the river. If enough sign up, this will become a tournament.
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
$20
Time of Event
Saturday at 2:00 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Kayak Head 2 Head Race
Kayaks will start at the same time, each kayak must navigate around a buoy on each side of the river. Enough sign-ups will turn this into a tournament with multiple heats.
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
$20
Time of Event
Saturday at 2:00 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Duckie Dash Head 2 Head Race
Grab your inflatable duckie (or borrow one) and head down the slalom course from 1st street to Centennial Park. Battle head-to-head with others. Must be at least 10 years old to participate in this event.
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
$20
Time of Event
Saturday at 2:00 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
RMR Storm Head 2 Head Race – R2
Two rafts start at the same time. You must go around one buoy on each side of the river. First one to finish moves on to the next round. Tournament-style scoring.
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
$20
Time of Event
Saturday at 2:00 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Cañon City Cardboard Cup
Presented by Mead Lumber
A Wild Whitewater Cardboard Boat Race in Cañon City. 6 Teams of 4 People build a cardboard boat with materials provided.
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
$87
Time of Event
Saturday Build starts at 2:00 pm, Race at 5:25 pm
Distance
From Ice House Wave to WKRP Wave
Surf Competition
Can you surf the ice house play wave? Surf what you’ve got – Boogie Boards, Surf Boards – but get style points for tricks. (This is not the raft surfing competition.)
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
FREE
Time of Event
Saturday at 5:00 pm
Distance
n/a
Build Your Own Boat
Limited Spots Available!
Show off your craftsmanship and engineering skills in this crowd favorite event! First place is awarded a pure gold coin ($1000 value), and cash prizes awarded to second and third place.
Experience Level
Beginner to Advanced
Event Cost
FREE ($100 refundable deposit required)
Time of Event
Saturday at 5:30 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Raft Rodeo
The classic Whitewater Festival event. Who can control the wave? Will be judged by the crowd and a neutral panel of judges who use established criteria. Located at the lower feature in Centennial Park.
Experience Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Event Cost
$60 per team
Time of Event
Saturday at 6:15 pm
Distance
~0.25 miles
Our Partners
Profits from the festival benefit Royal Gorge RIO (formerly the Whitewater Kayak Recreation Park or WKRP). This non-profit organization supports the continued expansion of the Whitewater Park, river restoration, and community causes.
