Down River

As FIBArk’s signature whitewater event, the Downriver Race is the longest, oldest, most prestigious and perhaps the toughest race in North America. The Downriver Race is truly an athletic marvel and continues to be one of the most respected (maybe even feared) whitewater races. Competitors negotiate Class III-IV rapids that would be challenging to a well rested boater. Add the fatigue of paddling at race pace for 14 miles and one can start to understand the difficulty of this event. Spectators watch from Seidel’s Suckhole, Stone Bridge AHRA site, Big Bend AHRA site, or watch the exciting finish at the Salida Whitewater Park.

Enter the Downriver Heavy Half or the shorter Intermediate or Novice Race and be part of the tradition! Heavy Half: Hecla Junction AHRA site to Salida Whitewater Park. Participants must be capable of self-rescue in class III-IV water. Rapids include Seidel’s Suckhole, Twin Falls, Squaw Creek Rapid, Boat Chute at the low head dam, and the Salida Whitewater Park. Finish will be the boatramp hole in the whitewater park. Participants must wear a helmet and PFD. Participants are not disqualified if they accept help from another racer or from a safety boat. Safety boats will be stationed below Seidel’s Suckhole, Twin Falls, at the Boat Chute and in Salida Whitwater Park.

Intermediate: Stone Bridge AHRA site to Salida Whitewater Park. Participants must be capable of self-rescue in class III water. Rapids include Squaw Creek Rapid, Boat Chute at the low head dam, and the Salida Whitewater Park. Finish will be the boatramp hole in the whitewater park. Participants must wear a helmet and PFD. Participants are not disqualified if they accept help from another racer or from a safety boat. Safety boats will be stationed at the Boat Chute and in Salida Whitwater Park. SUP Intermediate: Salida Whitewater Park to Rincon AHRA site. Participants must be capable of self-rescue in class III water. Rapids include Salida Whitewater Park and Bear Creek Rapid. Participants must wear a helmet and PFD. Participants ARE NOT disqualified if they accept help from another racer or from a safety boat.

Novice: Marvin Park to Salida Whitewater Park. Participants must be capable of self-rescue in class III water. Rapids include the Salida Whitewater Park. Finish will be the boatramp hole in the whitewater park. Participants must wear a helmet and PFD. Participants are not disqualified if they accept help from another racer or from a safety boat. Safety boats will be stationed in Salida Whitwater Park. Park at the Sand Lake parking lot at the east side of Sand Lake in Salida, and walk downstream on the bike path to find the put-in eddy. Event History “Whitewater hell” / “The meanest stretch of whitewater in the world” / “The longest, oldest, most prestigious and perhaps the toughest race in North America” The FIBArk boat races started in 1949 when six boats entered the Arkansas River in Salida on their 57 mile run to Canon City through the vertical cliffs of the Royal Gorge Canyon. Fueled by the spring snow pack runoff, the river water ripped down the canyon creating tremendous currents and boiling rapids. “An invitation to death” claimed the boaters as they looked over the course, but of the 23 entrants in the race that year only two Swiss boaters reached the finish line. The following year the race was shortened to 45 miles excluding the dangerous Royal Gorge waters ending in Parkdale and, although ten boats entered, again only one man finished the race. The third year the race eliminated portages and single-boat teams and was set at its existing length of 25.7 miles from Salida to Cotopaxi. Eleven boats entered that year and ten were able to finish. In 2019, the race was moved upstream to start in Browns Canyon and finish in Salida, shortening the distance to 14 miles, but adding two difficult rapids, Seidel’s Suckhole and Twin Falls. The SUP downriver course remained consistent with past events, however, starting in Salida and ending at Rincon AHRA site.