ROYAL GORGE WHITEWATER FESTIVAL
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Whitewater Events

From weekend warriors to experienced whitewater athletes, the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival welcomes participants of all experience levels. Sign up online and enjoy a weekend full of activities. 

All whitewater event participants will check in / register at the main check-in tent no later than 30 minutes before their event. (Note: Royal Gorge racers can check in at Pura Vida beach, 15 miles west on Hwy 50, just before Parkdale public boat ramp.) ​

Friday Events

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See Full Schedule
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RIVER PLAY WAVE DEMOS
Experience level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: FREE
​Time: Friday at 4:00 pm

​Show off your SUP, kayak, raft or duckie skills on the Centennial Park play wave.
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SUP PARADE 
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: FREE

Time: Friday at 5:00 pm 
This is a SUP show of force. If you SUP come show the town. Interesting outfits encouraged.
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ALL HANDS ON DECK!
Experience level: Beginner
Cost: FREE
Time: Friday at 5:15 pm

Anything in town that floats, get on the water! Bring your SUP, your tube, your floatie, your canoe, your barrel, your store-bought raft, BRING ANYTHING! This is a show of force. Get on the river and show the town how many people float.
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COMMUNITY RAFT RACE AUCTION & TIME TRIAL
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: FREE (with bid on guide)
Time: Friday - guide auction at 6:00 pm, race at 6:30 pm

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. 
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ROYAL GORGE RACE - KAYAK
Experience level: Experienced
​Cost: $35
Time: Friday at 6:00 pm

​This race is for boaters experienced in the Gorge. Start at Pura Vida beach and end at the lower feature in Canon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling. 
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ROYAL GORGE RACE RAFTS - USRA
Experience level: Experienced
Cost: Included in flat fee at registration
​Time: Friday at 6:05 pm 
This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. This event is for a team of 6 individuals. Start at Pura Vida beach and end at the lower feature in Cañon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling. 
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ROYAL GORGE RACE RAFTS
Experience level: Experienced
Cost: $50 per team
​Time: Friday at 6:10 pm 

This race is for people experienced in the Gorge. This event is for a team of 6 individuals. Start at Pura Vida beach and end at the lower feature in Cañon City. This race is a mass start and is over 12 miles of hard paddling. ​
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GREATER FREMONT COUNTY FLOATIE RODEO
Experience level: Beginner
Cost: FREE
​Time: Friday at 7:15 pm

Bring something that floats! Everyone launch at the same time. Stay away from the dragons who are out to tag you out. First one to finish without being tagged "out" wins.

Saturday Events

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RAFTING SPRINTS - USRA REGIONAL
Experience level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: Included in flat fee
Time: Saturday at 8:00 am

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!

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RAFTING SLALOM - USRA REGIONAL
Experience level: Intermediate-Advanced
Cost: Included in flat fee at registration
Time: Saturday at 10:00 am
Slalom through gates set in the river without touching them. Best time wins!
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RAFTING HEAD 2 HEAD RACE - USRA
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: Included in flat fee at registration
Time: Saturday at 2:00 pm

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.

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SUP HEAD 2 HEAD RACE 
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: $20
Time: Saturday at 2:00 pm

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.
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KAYAK HEAD 2 HEAD RACE 
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: $20
​Time: Saturday at 2:00 pm 

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. 
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DUCKIE DASH HEAD 2 HEAD
Experience level: Beginner-Advanced
Cost: $20
​Time: Saturday at 2:00 pm

​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. 
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RMR STORM HEAD 2 HEAD - R2
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: $20
​Time: Saturday at 2:00 pm 

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. 
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SURFING COMPETITION 
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Cost: FREE

Time: Saturday at 5:00 pm
Can you surf the features in the Centennial Park? Boogie Boards, Surf Boards. This is not the raft surfing competition.
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BUILD YOUR OWN BOAT - ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Experience level: Beginner to advanced
Cost: FREE ($100 refundable deposit required)

Time: Saturday at 5:30 pm
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.
See The Rules
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RAFT RODEO
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
​Cost: $60 per team
​Time: Saturday at 6:15 pm

The classic Whitewater Festival event. Who can control the wave? Will be judged by the crowed and a neutral panel of judges who use established criteria. Located at the lower feature in Centennial Park.

Join the fun!

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  • Schedule
  • Festivities
    • Register
    • Whitewater Events
    • Land Events
    • Music
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Map
    • Spectator
    • Participate
    • About The Area
  • About RGWF
    • About RGWF
    • Vendors
  • Contact