Kayak Boatercross


A timed run determines racers seeds. Kayak Boatercross features a tournament format with 4 boats racing down the James with the top 2 moving to the next round.

Heats of 4 competitors (groups can be as small as 3 or as large as 6) will battle it out through the rapids and around the buoys/gates. There will be a mandatory roll in the middle of the course. The top two paddlers move on until only four are left to compete in the championship heat. Spectators can catch the carnage – err competition – from the Tyler Potterfield Bridge. The race starts at the boat ramp just upstream of the canal intake and racers paddle through the Fishladder rapid through several significant holes to the finish buoy.

Cost & Registration

Pricing Schedule

Through March 14: $20
March 15 – May 13: 
$25
May 14– May 18:  $30

Includes a cool finisher t-shirt and drink ticket*.

*Drink ticket must be used during normal festival hours

Entries are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable, even in the case of a race cancellation, postponement, event format changes, and/or if you are unable to participate.

INCOME BASED RATE

Kayak Boatercross offers a $15 special rate for those who qualify for an income based rate. Click here for eligibility information.

Packet Pick Up

Packet pick-up will take place from 11:30am – 12:30pm on Saturday, May 18 right at the Tredegar Street boat ramp.

Competition Format & Schedule

Time trials starting at 1 p.m. will send paddlers down the river every minute.  These times will be utilized to determine seeding for a single elimination, head to head competition with heats of 4 (3-6 in each heat). The number of rounds will be based on the total number of competitors. We expect four total rounds for the men and two rounds for the women. The winner of the finals will be our Kayak Boatercross champion!

  • 12:30 p.m. – Pre-event Athlete Briefing
  • 1:00 p.m. – Men’s & Women’s Time Trials begin followed by head to head heats

Rules

  • Participants must be at least 12 years old to participate.
  • All boats must be 9′ or under for both the time trials and the competition rounds.
  • A mandatory 360 degree roll will be required in this event.
  • You must be on time! If you are late for time trials, you will be seeded last for the competition rounds.  If you are late for the heats, you will be DQ’d and eliminated from the competition.
  • Navigate your way through the rapids and around three gates, scrambling to be the first to tag the final buoy.
  • All competitors must wear life vests and helmets.  When things get rowdy, you’ll be glad you did!
  • Paddlers are encouraged to bump each others boats and paddles but intentionally using a paddle to hit another paddler’s body is strictly forbidden and will result in disqualification if judges see the infraction.
  • Participant must be upright in their boat when crossing the finish line.
  • Ladies, grab your friends.  We need at least six of you to create a women’s only division.
  • Consumption of alcohol before the event is PROHIBITED

Awards

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each category/division.

Results

2023 Kayak Boatercross

Men
1. Rob Tompkins
2. Thomas Clarkson
3. Hank Wilkinson

Women
1. Ellie McGriff
2. Carrie Hood
3. Jen Skrzypek

2022 Kayak Boatercross

Men
1. Isaac Hull
2. Hank Wilkinson
3. Tom Blue
4. Jared Alden

Women
1. Carrie Hood
2. Shannon Orcutt
3. Ellie McGriff
4. Laura Hamilton
5. Caitlin McSorley

 

2021 Kayak Boatercross
Men

1. Patrick Griffin
2. Holden Woodward
3. Finn Gardner
4. Tamas Gal

Women
1. Caitlin McSorley
2. Carrie Hood
3. Corinne Bowers
4. Lillibet Woodward

 

2019 Kayak Boatercross
Men

1. Isaac Hull
2. Nick Czyala
3. Cooper Salade
4. Chris Purrington

Women
1. Ellie Deglau
2. Caitlin McSorley
3. Carrie Hood
4. Lillibet Woodward

 

2018 Kayak Boatercross
Men

1. Jack Shade
2. Jason Beakes
3. Bryan Kirk

Women
1. Carrie Hood
2. Noelle Prakken
3. Katie Lemmert

 

2017 Kayak Boatercross
Men

1. Jason Beakes
2. Bryan Kirk
3. Chris Gragtmans

Women
1. Katie Lemmert
2. Noelle Prakken
3. Carrie Hood

 

2016 Kayak Boatercross
Women
1. Ellie Deglau
2. Penelope Davenport
3. Katie Lemmert
3. Carrie Hood

Men
1. Bryan Kirk
2. Jason Beakes
3. Patrick Griffin

 

2015 Kayak Boatercross
Women
1. Ellie Deglau
2. Sejal Kinker
3. Georgia Martin

Men
1. Geoff Calhoun
2. Stephen Wright
3. Cooper Sallade

 

2014 Kayak Boatercross
Women
1. Melissa Lesh
2. Haley Mills
3. Katie Lemmert

Men
1. Bryan Kirk
2. Danny Stock
3. Patrick Griffin

 

2013 Kayak Boatercross
Women
1. Adriene Levknecht
2. Courtney Kerin
3. Katie Lemmert

Men
1. Eric Jackson
2. Chris Gragtmans
3. Tom Dalay

 

2012 Kayak Boatercross
Men
1. Aaron Mann
2. Eric Jackson
3. Cooper Sallade

Women
1. Haley Mills
2. Courtney Kerin
3. Sejal Kinker & Emily Powell (tie)

 

2011 Kayak Boatercross
Men
1. Eric Jackson
2. Patrick Griffin
3. John Nestler

Women
1. Emily Jackson
2. Meghan Magennis
3. Erin Johnson