The annual Rivanna River Canoe & Kayak Race will be held on Saturday,
May 30, 2026
Format to closely mirror last year…but stay tuned for more details.
Once again benefitting HopeCville.org
Online registration closes at 5pm on May 29, but you may register onsite on race morning. Bring cash. March 11, 2026: Online registration below. {{{Online payment coming soon.}}}
This river race has been an annual tradition for 18 years in the Charlottesville.
Who?
Canoe and kayak paddlers of all sizes and stripes who wish to turn out for a glorious day of fun and camaraderie. You don’t have to be a serious competitor to enjoy this event, but if you are a “floater” who likes to take your good ole time leisurely floating down a river, this might not be the event for you. Out of respect to our volunteers and competitors who will be eager to get everyone safely off the river and get to the awards ceremony after the race, we do ask that you have a serious intention to paddle at least mostly continuously so you don’t hold up the event.
What?
A 6.2-mile paddling race down the Rivanna River in scenic Albemarle County, VA, skirting the city of Charlottesville. This is a mostly gentle section of the river with some Class I rapids and maybe one Class II rapid, depending upon water levels. Previous river paddling experience is highly suggested.
You will likely encounter contact with rocks at this time of year so only plastic or fiberglass canoes and kayaks are recommended. Race organizers are not responsible for any damage to your watercraft, so you probably want to leave that high-end carbon/Kevlar boat at home unless you don’t mind making what might be a costly repair after the race.
Registration fee is $35 per paddler or $50 if you have two people in a tandem kayak or canoe.
If you would like to make an additional, tax-exempt, charitable donation greater than the standard registration fee to support the Hope Is Everything charity, it would be greatly appreciated. Bring extra cash or checks to the starting line to make an extra donation. We highly suggest you register online prior to the race to ensure you get a goodie bag. All paddlers must sign the waiver at the top of this page.
Shuttle is not provided so paddlers are encouraged to work out their own shuttle arrangements for the race or use the buddy system on race morning. Paddlers completing the race are strongly encouraged to ask fellow paddlers if they need a lift and offer shuttles back to the starting line after the race.
Race Divisions:
We will double-check boats and/or assign you to the proper race division on the morning of the race if you are unsure which category you fit into.
| Category | Type of Craft |
| Male Rec Kayak | Recreational kayak, any kayak less than 12’ in length |
| Female Rec Kayak | Recreational kayak, any kayak less than 12’ in length |
| Male Intermediate Kayak | Any kayak over 12’ in length but less than 17’ in length |
| Female Intermediate Kayak | Any kayak over 12’ in length but less than 17’ in length |
| Male Race Kayak | Any kayak 17’ in length or longer |
| Female Race Kayak | Any kayak 17’ in length or longer |
| Male Tandem Kayak | Any two person kayak |
| Female Tandem Kayak | Any two person kayak |
| Mixed Tandem Kayak | Any two person kayak |
| Male Single Canoe | Any single-paddler canoe* |
| Female Single Canoe | Any single-paddler canoe* |
| Tandem Canoe, any combination of genders | Any duel-paddler canoe* |
* All canoeist are strictly limited to single blade paddles.
Personal Flotation Devices must be worn by all paddlers during the entire race.
When?
Saturday, May 30, 2026. Check-in begins at 8:45am. Mandatory safety briefing at 9:30am after which boats will start putting on the water. Race starts at 10am sharp.
Where?
Starting line is Brook Hill River Park, 3009 Old Rio Mills Rd
Earlysville, VA 22936. Underneath the bridge that crosses Rt. 29 just north of Charlottesville, VA. Note: There is no left turn onto Rio Mills Rd. if you are coming north on Rt. 29. You must pass the intersection and do a u-turn at the next light and come back south on Rt. 29.
Brook Hill River Park: Just when you think you can’t get there you’ve found it.
Finish line:
Darden Towe Park, 1445 Darden Towe Park Road
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Awards Ceremony/After party:
TBD
IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in any way in the Rivanna River Race sports and recreation program and related activities (“Activities”) I, for myself, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin: 1. ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of paddlesports and related activities and that I am qualified, in good health, in proper physical condition to participate in such activity and willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation. I further agree and warrant that if at any time I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation in the Activity. If I decide to leave early and not complete the trip as planned, I assume all risks inherent in my decision to leave. 2. FULLY UNDERSTAND that: (a) Paddlesports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH (“RISKS”); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activity, the condition in which the Activity takes place, or THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” NAMED BELOW; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I incur as a result of my participation or that of the minor in the Activity. 3. HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE race organizers or any other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the “RELEASEES” herein) FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, INJURIES, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, OR OTHER DAMAGES ON MY ACCOUNT CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE “RELEASEES” OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING NEGLIGENT RESCUE OPERATIONS; AND I FURTHER AGREE that if, despite this RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I WILL INDEMNIFY, SAVE, AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE RELEASEES from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim. I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE AND INTEND IT TO BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW AND AGREE THAT IF ANY PORTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IS HELD TO BE INVALID THE BALANCE, NOTWITHSTANDING, SHALL CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
The Annual Rivanna River Race 