Canoe Capital Paddle Palooza

Join us in the Canoe Capital of Virginia for an exhilarating day on the water! With its friendly outfitters, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife, Front Royal is the perfect place to embrace your sense of Adventure.

We are back again this year in Bentonville and the original location of the canoe races that were held in the 70's and 80's. The marathon distance has been tweaked to 10-miles.  

For our landmark event, tackle the long-distance 10-mile race along one of the most stunning stretches of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Surrounded by breathtaking views and fast-flowing water, this race is an adventure you won’t want to miss. Keep your paddle moving as you navigate this peaceful yet powerful section of the river – no time to fish here!

Join us for a day full of excitement, community, and fun! Not a paddler? No problem! Come down to cheer on the competitors and experience the vibrant atmosphere this event brings to our town. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable community celebration!

Get ready for a day of heart-pumping fun, friendly competition, and natural beauty. Register now and see why Front Royal is the ultimate destination for canoe lovers!

C1 and K1 Fees

• Super early registration $50 per person until December 31, 2026.
• Early registration $55 per person until January 31, 2027.
• Regular registration $60 per person until February 28, 2027.
• Late registration $65 per person until April 3, 2027.

C2 Fees

• Super early registration $40 per person until December 31, 2026.
• Early registration $45 per person until January 31, 2027
• Regular registration $50 per person until February 28, 2027.
• Late registration $55 per person until April 3, 2027.

Registration platform fees also apply.

Boats will be provided as part of your entry. C1 and C2 will get one canoe.  K1 will get a kayak. Canoes will come with single-blade paddles. Kayaks will come with double-bladed paddles. PFDs will also be supplied. No outside canoes or kayaks are permitted. Outside paddles and PFDs are permitted. Canoes, paddles, and PFDs will be located at the canoe put in. You will not need to portage the canoe for any great distance, and you will not need to carry your paddle gear for any distance. Shuttle service will be available between the finish at Downriver Canoe Company in Bentonville and the put-in locations at Compton.

All water is Class I or II.  There is no water safety on the course. EMS personnel will be available at the finish.

While paddling each racer must have:

• PFD Class III
• Kayak or canoe
• Whistle

Saturday April 3, 2027

07:00 - 08:30 – Packet pickup and registration marathon race

08:00 – 08:30 Shuttle departs to Compton for marathon race

09:00 – Start marathon race at Compton (10 Miles)

08:00 – 09:00 – Packet pickup and registration sprint race

10:30 – 11:00 – Finish - Marathon distance

11:15 - Awards

11:30 – Event close/breakdown

Schedule is preliminary and subject to change

Click here to view the course.

The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun!  Volunteer signup will be available closer to the race date.

After your morning on the river, we will be serving up slices of pizza to quell your hunger.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to help support our local river conservation groups include the Friends of the Shenandoah River and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Both organizations do outstanding work to help protect our precious waterways.

Click here for information.