West Virginia Paddling Events

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Kayakers gather at one of many WV paddling events. Photo by Molly Wolff courtesy .

West Virginia paddling events are sponsored throughout most of the state where , , and stand-up paddleboarding are popular. Please let us know if you know of an .

2019 West Virginia Paddling Events

Greenbrier River Race
April 27: 
An annual triathlon that promotes the 78-mile  Trail, the race consists of a 3.1-mile run, a four-mile paddle, and 10-mile bike route.


May 4: Mannington, West Virginia
Kayaks and canoes race eight miles downstream on Buffalo Creek from Mannington to Farmington in this fun run being hosted annually since 1966.


May 3-4: 
A paddling race on 11 miles of the ’s whitewater anchors this annual two-day festival that boasts art, music, workshops, and a 5K running race. 


May 18: 
Three-mile, six-mile, and 12-mile races in several boating categories begin and end at the Battle Run Campground on .

Jack Barker Memorial Race
May 19: 
A four-mile paddling race up and back on the  will also be joined by a mile-long sprint race for parent-child combinations.


May 31-June 1: 
A 5.5-mile paddling race and a float from Goodhope to West Milford highlight this weekend celebration of the West Fork of the Monongahela.


June 1:
Discover the gentle and majestic Cheat River upstream of its renowned section on the Upper Cheat River Water Trail.


June 8: Saint George, West Virginia
Discover the gentle and majestic Cheat River upstream of its renowned section on the Upper Cheat River Water Trail.

Active SWV Family Triathlon
June 8: 
Focused on beginners and families, this triathlon on Summersville Lake includes a 1.2-mile run, a two-mile bike ride, and a one-mile paddle.

Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival
June date TBA: 
Event description: Race Information – Friday evening Attainment Race and Doah Cup Raft Race. Saturday 3.4 trail foot race and Downriver Race.


June 15: 
An annual 11-mile float trip from Meadowood Park at Tornado to Saint Albans raises funds for river restoration and Coal River education activities.


August 3: 
An extreme triathlon, this courses over 28.5 miles and includes mountain biking, whitewater paddling, and trail running in the .


August 4: 
Families compete together in a gentle triathlon that includes a one-mile bike segment, one-mile paddle segment, and a two-mile run.

Grafton Adventure Fest
August TBA: 
On the Tygart River, biking, running, and kayaking anchor stand-up paddleboard races, a bass fishing tournament, a climbing wall competition, and off-road adventure.

 Falls Festival
September 19: Glen Ferris, West Virginia
A whitewater kayak race, a freestyle kayak competition, and a photography competition highlight this celebration of the falls of the Kanawha River.


September 22: 
Three stand-up paddleboard competitions anchor this festival on the New River beneath the .


September 23: Mount Nebo, West Virginia
This intense class-V whitewater race runs the ’s upper whitewater section below Summersville Dam and Summersille Lake.


Date TBA: 
Hosted in West Virginia’s scenic capital city, this triathlon incorporates a 4.2-mile run, a 16.8-mile bike ride, and a 2.2-mile row on the Kanawha River.


September 13-15: 
Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are welcome during this three-day celebration where the  joins the Ohio.