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Friends of the Upper San Juan River
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Pagosa Paddle

Friday, May 15 and Saturday May 16, 2026 Pagosa Springs/San Juan River

      The weekend of May 15 & 16, the San Juan River will have a surge of boaters competing for bragging rights and prizes during the annual Pagosa Paddle whitewater races.   Not up for paddling? Come out to cheer on these athletes as they go through the downtown water features that make up the whitewater park on the San Juan River through downtown Pagosa Springs.   Spectators can watch the action from above at the Overlook viewing point, alongside the almost famous river walk or from the healing waters at The Springs Resort.  We are collaborating again with The Springs Resort during their Pints, Pools and Paddles event. All Pagosa Paddle participants will receive a FREE soaking pass ($75 value), compliments of The Springs Resort. Even better, the first 30 athletes to register will receive a full access pass to Pints, Pools and Paddles which means a soaking pass and beer tasting at the Pints Brewfest tent during awards after the race!!

Registration grants athlete's access to all races and all disciplines for only one entry fee. Friday we will run all the categories in our Sprint races. We will not run any sprints on Saturday. Saturday, all other races: Slalom, H2H and finish the day with a fun "anything goes" Down River parade/race that will end at Yamaguchi park.

Categories include

R-4 raft teams

Hard shell kayak

Inflatable kayak

SUP

Race Schedule and details

 

Timing of all four events is based on registered participants.  

Below is a preliminary schedule and subject to change based on participation: 

Sprint, Slalom, and H2H all stage and start at

 Town Park and follow the river 1,000 feet to Centennial Park.  

Down River race starts at Town Park for 1 mile to Yamaguchi

Shuttle services provided by Pagosa Outside and Pagosa Rafting Outfitters for all races.


  • Friday, May 15 
  • 4-4:45pm Registration in Town Park waivers will be signed and verified.
  • 4:45 Safety talk and captains meeting
  • 5pm Sprint (all disciplines, Individual start, 1 run-best time) 
  • Note: R-4 portion is sanctioned by the USRA and is a qualifier for the R-4 Nationals
  • Saturday, May 16
  • 8-9 Registration and Check in Town Park. 

Waivers will be signed and verified.

  • 9:15 Safety talk and captains meeting
  • 9:30 Slalom (timed individual best of 2 runs)

 Order R4, HSK, IK, SUP

  • Around 11pm H2H (All disciplines, single elimination-boatercross style)
  • 2 pm Down River Race/Parade-Anything goes-costumes and safe shenanigans.  Launch is mass start by discipline
  • TBD  Awards ceremony at The Springs Resort Pints Brewfest Tent.  All participants will be able to attend the awards, only the first 30 registered will get a full access pass to the beer fest tasting.


Are you an ACA Member?

  $40-$50 per athlete (only $40 for ACA Members)  

Friday registration starts at 4:00pm   

Saturday registration 8am.

Our Mission: become a steward of The Mighty San Juan River

Support Friends of the Upper San Juan River and participate in the Pagosa Paddle white water event and become part of our local river stewardship

registration opening soon

2025 SUPER SPONSORS

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