Register
Complete the online registration form, or mail your entry to White River Canoe and Kayak Race, P.O. Box 91, Sulphur Rock, Arkansas 72801. Entries must be completed online or postmarked before the registration window closes.
Plan your race
Race Info
Entry fees, divisions, the race-week schedule, safety gear, spectator tips and answers to common questions.
2027 dates and registration haven't been announced yet. The details below are from the 2026 race guide. Get notified when 2027 registration opens.
Entry & fees
Entering the race
Register online or by mail before the registration window closes. Fees go up closer to race day, so enter early.
| 2026 entry fee | Adult (21+) | Youth (5–21) | Non-paddler |
|---|---|---|---|
| EarlyBefore June 1 | $100 | $50 | $35 |
| RegularJune 1–15 | $110 | $60 | $45 |
| LateJune 16–29 | $130 | $70 | $65 |
| Included | Adult | Youth | Non-paddler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping (3 nights) | Included | Included | Included |
| Dinners (4 meals) | Included | Included | Included |
| Race T-shirt | Included | Included | Included |
| Event patch | Included | Included |
How it works
Check in
All racers check in at Bull Shoals White River State Park between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on Wednesday. Team captains attend a race meeting every night, and teams that miss required events may receive time penalties.
Good to know
Teams race in the class listed on their entry form. Entry fees aren't refunded for withdrawals, and the race committee may reject any entry.
Divisions
Find your class
Youth and adult teams race in four divisions. Relay teams swap paddlers at quick changes along the way, while non-relay paddlers race every leg themselves.
Aluminum
Standard aluminum canoes, with Beginner, Novice and Relay classes for every experience level.
- Beginner: first-timers, legs 2, 5 and 8 only
- Novice: first-time teams, or paddlers who haven't placed top three
- Relay: experienced teams, all eight legs
- Youth Boys, Girls and Coed (13–21), Adult/Youth, and Adult (21+)
Kayak
Recreational kayaks 12 feet or longer are recommended. Shorter kayaks can race but compete with the longer boats.
- Beginner: legs 2, 5 and 8 only
- Novice: legs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8
- Relay: all eight legs
- Youth Solo Female, Solo Male and Tandem Mixed (13–21), and Adult (21+)
Cruising
The race's most competitive paddlers, in canoes that meet USCA Standard Cruising specifications. No “Pro” boats.
- Relay: teams of four to six, all eight legs
- Youth Open, Coed and Girls (13–21), and Adult/Youth
Unlimited
Any canoe or kayak over 14.5 feet, with any paddle. Rudders are allowed; kick-up rudders are recommended.
- Non-relay: solo or tandem, all eight legs
- Relay: solo (two or three paddlers) or tandem (four to six)
- Open to paddlers 18 and older
The eight legs
| Leg | Route | Day | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | Bull Shoals Dam to Cotter | Thursday | 18.0 mi |
| Leg 2 | Cotter to Buffalo City | Thursday | 13.3 mi |
| Leg 3 | Buffalo City to Norfork | Thursday | 12.3 mi |
| Leg 4 | Norfork to Calico Rock | Friday | 18.0 mi |
| Leg 5 | Calico Rock to Sylamore (Allison) | Friday | 17.0 mi |
| Leg 6 | Sylamore to Younger Access | Saturday | 19.2 mi |
| Leg 7 | Saturday | 12.0 mi | |
| Leg 8 | Lock & Dam No. 2 to Batesville | Saturday | 8.2 mi |
Team sizes, age rules and full class details are in the race guide. Not sure which class fits? The team guide can help.
Schedule
Race week at a glance
Times are from the 2026 race guide. The schedule can change with water levels.
WednesdayCheck-in
- 3:00 PMCheck-in and boat inspectionsBull Shoals White River Campground pavilion
- 6:00 PMDinner
- 7:00 PMRace meetingCampground amphitheater
ThursdayDay 1
- 8:00 AMRace startsBelow Bull Shoals Dam
- 9:00 AMBeginner classes startCotter boat ramp
- —Quick changes at Cotter and Buffalo CityDay ends at Norfork
- 6:00 PMDinnerNorfork Quarry Park
- 6:45 PMRace meeting
- 7:15 PMTalent show
FridayDay 2
- 8:00 AMRace startsNorfork Public Access
- 8:30 AMUSCA Men's, Women's and Juniors start
- 10:00 AMBeginner classes startCalico Rock
- 12:00 PMUSCA Mixed classes startCalico Rock
- —Day ends at Sylamore (Allison)
- 5:00 PMCamping and dinnerNear Sylamore
- 6:45 PMRace meeting
SaturdayDay 3
- 8:00 AMRace startsSylamore (Allison)
- —Clock out and portageLock & Dam No. 3, then No. 2
- 2:00 PMFinal leg startsBelow Lock & Dam No. 2
- 3:30 PMFinishBatesville
- 4:00 PMDinner and awardsBatesville City Park
Boats must be at the water by 7:30 AM each race morning. The race guide has GPS coordinates and driving directions for every stop.
Safety & gear
What every racer needs
Escort boats lead and follow the field every day, and team captains attend a safety meeting each evening.
Required on the water
- A U.S. Coast Guard–approved life vest, worn and fastened at all times
- A whistle for every racer
- At least one liter of water in the boat
- An extra paddle in each canoe, or a paddle leash in kayaks
- Shirts with sleeves, to prevent chafing from the life vest
- Closed-toe shoes; no sandals or flip-flops on the water
Good to know
- No race or leg starts with severe weather apparent.
- A mobile medical center is normally available at the race.
- The river runs about 50°F, so swimming in it is strongly discouraged. Swim at Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake or Blanchard Springs instead.
- Water levels change daily with dam releases. Check conditions with the Bull Shoals Dam answering service at (870) 431-5311.
- Every team needs a captain, and an adult who follows the team by vehicle to shuttle paddlers. The team guide explains each role.
River conditions
The White River rises and falls every day with releases from Bull Shoals Dam. Check these before you practice on the river or drive down for race week.
White River at Calico RockLive water level and flow · USGS
White River at BatesvilleLive water level and flow · USGS
Dam generation schedulesPlanned releases for Bull Shoals and Norfork · (866) 494-1993
Bull Shoals Dam answering serviceCurrent conditions by phone · (870) 431-5311
Generation schedules are plans and can change. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may also release water for reasons other than power.
Spectators & families
Where to watch
Families and friends are welcome all week, and non-paddler registration includes camping, dinners and a race T-shirt. These are the best places to see the boats come through.
Thursday, 8:00 AM
Start at Bull Shoals Dam
See the whole field start in the shadow of the dam. There is a large paved parking area just below it.
Open in Google MapsThursday morning
Cotter quick change
The first relay changeover, at the Cotter city park boat ramp. Parking at the ramp can be limited, so park along the road if you don't have a trailer.
Open in Google MapsThursday
Buffalo City quick change
The second changeover of the day, at the public launch below the big bluff at Buffalo City.
Open in Google MapsFriday morning
Calico Rock quick change
The launch sits under the White River bridge. If you aren't working with the race, park in town and walk down. Cookies from the 20/20 Club are a tradition here.
Open in Google MapsSaturday, late morning
Lock & Dam No. 3
Paddlers clock out and teams carry their boats around the dam before the next leg.
Open in Google MapsSaturday, about 3:30 PM
Finish in Batesville
Boats finish under the bridge on the south side of the river, followed by dinner and awards.
Open in Google MapsBetween legs
There's plenty to do when the boats are off the water: trout fishing after racing on the first two days, swimming at Lake Norfork on Thursday and Blanchard Springs on Friday, ice cream in Calico Rock or Mountain View, and the talent show. Blanchard Springs Caverns closes for renovations after the 2026 season, with a reopening expected in 2028. Teams that bring their own tracker can share its ID with the race committee to appear on the live race map. More ideas, plus where to stay, are on the travel page.
Can first-time paddlers enter?
Yes. Beginner classes are for paddlers with little or no racing experience who haven't raced the White River before. Beginner teams paddle only legs 2, 5 and 8, and you can enter a Beginner class for one year. Novice classes are for first-time teams and for paddlers who haven't placed in the top three before.
How old do racers need to be?
Youth paddlers are 5 to 21 and adults are 21 and older. Most youth classes are for ages 13 to 21, Adult/Youth classes pair an adult with a younger paddler, and Unlimited classes are 18 and older.
What kind of boat do I need?
It depends on the division: standard aluminum canoes for Aluminum classes, recreational kayaks 12 feet or longer for Kayak classes, USCA standard cruising canoes for Cruising, and any canoe or kayak over 14.5 feet for Unlimited. Canoes must meet USCA specifications unless the division says otherwise.
How many paddlers are on a team?
Anywhere from one paddler in non-relay classes to six in relay classes. On a four-person relay team, two paddlers race twice on the first and third days, so less experienced teams should consider bringing five or six paddlers.
What does the entry fee include?
Three nights of camping (tent sites with picnic tables and electric hookups, plus showers and restrooms), four evening meals from Wednesday through Saturday, and a race T-shirt. Paddlers also receive an event patch. Breakfast and lunch are up to each team, and motels are booked separately. See where to stay.
We've never raced before. Where do we start?
Start with the team guide. It covers choosing a class, how many paddlers to bring, team roles, training and a packing list.
Where do we camp?
Wednesday at Bull Shoals–White River State Park below Bull Shoals Dam, Thursday at Quarry Park above Norfork Dam, and Friday near Sylamore.
Does my team need a support crew?
Yes. An adult must follow each team by vehicle to shuttle paddlers to the changeover points, and teams should have a support crew to set up camp, cook and help load boats. Driving directions for every leg are in the race guide.
What happens in bad weather?
No race or leg starts with severe weather apparent. Race officials keep in touch with the National Weather Service, and legs have been canceled for weather in the past.
Can friends and family follow along?
Yes, and the spectator guide above shows the best places to watch. Teams that bring their own tracker, such as a SPOT or Garmin inReach, can give its ID to the race committee to appear on the live race map.
Can we get a refund if we withdraw?
No. Entry fees aren't refunded for withdrawals.
When is the 2027 race?
Dates haven't been announced yet. Send us an email and we'll let you know when registration opens.
Downloads
Guides and forms
2026 Race GuideRules, divisions, schedule and directions · PDF, 4.6 MB
2026 USCA NationalsEvent details and entry form · PDF, 0.2 MB
Records by legFastest time on every leg, by division · PDF, 0.3 MB
2025 Race GuidePast race guide · PDF, 8.0 MB
2024 Race GuidePast race guide · PDF, 8.0 MB
2023 Race GuidePast race guide · PDF, 4.8 MB
2018 Race GuidePast race guide · PDF, 7.6 MB