RIVERSPORT PaddleMania (FREE to Enter!)

9:00 am – 10:00 am
Whitewater Center

Our fourth annual PADDLEMANIA will bring all the mayhem to the RIVERSPORT whitewater channels! The competition will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, and include BYOB (Build Your Own Boat) and Battle of the Paddles raft racing. NOTE: A boat inspection is mandatory for all BYOB boats. You have the option of testing your boat in the water, but it is not required.  

TESTING TIMES:
FRIDAY, August 7, 2025 – 5:00pm-7:00pm 
Saturday, August 8, 2025 – 8:00 am – 8:30am

Eight million gallons of raging rapids. Two chaotic competitions. One ultimate whitewater event. Join us for the mayhem! Entry is FREE for everyone. Enter both competitions, or just one.

REGISTER NOW

2026 PaddleMania Event Details

Battle of the Paddles – Head-To-Head TEAM Raft Racing   

Take your chances against RIVERSPORT corporate partners, rowing staff, and dragon boat teams as you take to the water for a new kind of challenge – whitewater rafting head-to-head! No practice. No coaching.  Raft guide provided. Helmet and PFD supplied & mandatory. 

  • BATTLE OF THE PADDLE RULES: Teams may consist of 4 – 6 team members.  No intentional shoving of the other boat with your paddle or arms/legs/hand/feet/head but be prepared to boat bump! Single elimination until we have one winner. Matching attire is not required but encouraged. 

BYOB: Build Your Own Boat Race  

  • Build your own boat, then race it down the World Championship Canoe Slalom channel. Entries are judged on creativity, speed, and distance traveled (not all may cross the finish line). Three prizes will be awarded for Overall, Style, and Fan’s Choice. Boats that do not complete the competition channel are still eligible for the Style Award and the Fan’s Choice Award. 

Overall: Scored based on style and completion. Boats failing to complete the entire channel will not be eligible for the Overall Award.  
Style: Boats will be ranked based on creativity, design and theme. 
Fan’s Choice: Based on crowd applause and reaction. 

BYOB – EVENT RULES: 

  • Entries are judged on creativity, speed, and distance traveled. 
  • Teams may consist of 1-4 people in rafts.
  • Participants must be 18 or older.
  • Accompanying music may be submitted 5 days in advance of event
  • Boat must be human powered - no engines, stored power or external energy sources (e.g., engines, gas, batteries, electrical cords, catapults) can be used 
  • Maximum dimensions are 5’ wide x 6’ tall x 10’ long  
  • Rope sections may not be longer than 18 inches and must be tied securely against the structure  
  • No enclosures or compartments are permitted  
  • Costumes design must consider safety of participant if submerged in the water  
  • Empty boat weight limit 150 lbs. 
  • All boats / costumes subject to approval by Riversport  
  • Participants may not be intoxicated or under the influence at the time of the race  

SUGGESTED MATERIALS  

  • Plastic Inflatables  
  • Styrofoam (encased to deter foam dust / may not be cut on site)  
  • Pool Noodles  
  • Foam Padding  
  • Flexible Plastic  
  • Cardboard  
  • Fabric  
  • Glue 
  • Zip Ties  
  • Rope  

PROHIBITED MATERIALS  

  • Metal objects  
  • Metal livestock troughs, tanks  
  • Sharp objects  
  • Straps or devices that hold participants to the craft  
  • Manufactured or modified craft designed for whitewater (rafts, kayaks, duckies, river boards, SUP, inner tubes, etc.)  
  • Wood (plywood, boards, etc.) over ¼” thick  
  • Styrofoam   
  • No sheet plastic, trash bags, shopping bags, Visqueen, etc. 

Or by appointment. 

Team competes in Build Your Own Boat competition at RIVERSPORT's Paddlemania

About the event

Our fourth annual PADDLEMANIA will bring all the mayhem to the RIVERSPORT whitewater channels! The competition will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, and include BYOB (Build Your Own Boat) and Battle of the Paddles raft racing. NOTE: A boat inspection is mandatory for all BYOB boats. You have the option of testing your boat in the water, but it is not…