Race the River: Downtown Riverwalk

The San Antonio River Authority together with the San Antonio River Foundation, invites you to participate in the final installment of the 2026 Race the River competitive paddling race series! Canoe and kayakers of all skill levels are invited to participate at each adventure race throughout the San Antonio River Basin.

Along with the City of San Antonio and GoRio Cruises, we are excited to return to the Riverwalk for the grand finale of this year’s paddling series. On November 6th, you and your friends are invited to this after dark race, a 5-mile or 3-mile sprint through the heart of San Antonio along the iconic Riverwalk! Compete alongside amateur or experienced adventure paddlers from all over Texas while you push yourself to complete the challenge.

The race will be followed by a gathering to celebrate all participants who completed the challenge and an awards ceremony for top finishers. Commemorative patches will be given to all finishers, trophies and prizes will be given to top finishers of each category.

Required Equipment

• PFD: At the start of the race, each participant MUST wear, as recommended by the manufacturer, a properly sized, Coast Guard approved, Personal Floatation Device (PFD) of Type, I, II, III, or V and in good serviceable condition. Participants without a PFD will not be permitted to compete.
• Watercraft: Each participant is required to source their own watercraft for competition. Canoes or kayaks will not be provided by race organizers on the day of the event unless selected as an add-on during registration (Amateur Solo Only).
• Cell Phone: For safety and emergency purposed, we ask all competitors to keep their cell phone with them and powered on throughout the race. These will be used for contact in case of emergency but also will allow race organizers to track your progress along the race route via GPS.  
   

 Watercraft Specifications

• This event is designated as a canoe/kayak race, however, each class is "unlimited" in regard to the craft a paddler brings to race
• There are no specified measurements competitors must abide by regarding watercraft shape, size, weight, etc.
• Each craft should be human powered and not interfere with other racers in an unfair way
• Gas or battery powered motors will not be permitted and if used will result in disqualification
• Race organizers retain the right to disqualify a craft that is deemed unsafe to participants, or outside the spirit of competition, at any time
• Inflatable boats of any kind are not permitted

Please contact race organizers if you have questions or to verify that a craft qualifies for this race

Race Categories

The event will be split into two categories

• Pro Category
  • This category is for you if you participated in a previous River Authority race or if you have competed with TCKRA in a paddle race. Expect stiff competition from your fellow experienced racers as you push for a podium finish. 
• Amateur Category
  • This category is for you if you are newer to paddle sports or an intermediate paddler looking to test your skills along a fun and quick course. Get a taste of competitive paddle sports and slight competition as you paddle for a top spot on the podium.

Racer Classes

Each Race Category will be split into 3 classes

• Men’s Unlimited 
  • Single male racer. No restrictions on watercraft other than those specified under equipment regulations.
    
• Women’s Unlimited
  • Single female racer. No restrictions on watercraft other than those specified under equipment regulations.
    
• Tandem
  • Two racers (male or female). Both participants must travel together in the same craft for the entirety of the race. No restrictions on watercraft other than those specified in Watercraft Specifications.

Get Ready for Race Day!

Be prepared!  Read all the details below before race day.

Important Locations & Times

Racer Check-in: City Marina - 214 Dwyer Ave, San Antonio, TX 78204
Racer Check-in Time: 5PM - 6:30PM
Race Start Time: 7PM
Start Line: Villita Street Bridge
Awards Ceremony: 9:30PM at the City Marina

Check-in & Parking

Please plan to arrive early for check-in and boat drop-off. All racers will pull into the City Marina parking lot, off E Nueva Street, to drop off their boat and check-in with race staff. After dropping off your boat and paddling gear, you are asked to proceed to the parking lot across E Nueva Street, where limited free parking will be available for race participants, or find appropriate street parking nearby. This is an "Out and Back" race so no shuttling will be required. 

Race Route & Cutoff

Pro Race Total Distance: 5 Miles
Amateur Race Total Distance: 3 Miles
Racers will start the race from the Start Line at the Villita Street Bridge on the signal from race organizers. You will proceed in paddling six laps (Pro) or 3 laps (Amateur) around the main loop of the Riverwalk. After completing your final lap, you will cross the finsh line and exit the river. Race volunteers will be at a single checkpoint along the route to count laps and qualify racers to complete the race. These lap counters will do their best to inform you of how many laps you have completed but, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure you paddle no more or less than the required laps. It is important to also note that this race will have a cut-off time. All racers will be required to start their final lap by 8:30pm to ensure everyone is off the water by the required time and able to attend the awards ceremony. If you have not started your final lap by 8:30pm, you will be directed to the finish line having not completed the full course. 

Participant Tracking with RaceJoy

This year we are introducing RaceJoy as an interactive solution for monitoring participant progress throughout the race. This free mobile app will allow us, as race organizers, to stay informed of your progress on the racecourse as well as send you audio safety, pace, and progress alerts. Additionally, your friends and family can use the app to see your progress and even send you cheers along the way! All participants will be asked to download the app and share their location on a device they will carry throughout the event. Please note, this tracking is only active during the event and will deactivate when you cross the finish line. 

Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!

For more info on how RaceJoy works and how to enable it before race-day, Click HERE.

Safety Considerations

While this race takes place in the heart of San Antonio, it is still and adventure race with its own set of challenges and hazards. Please keep this in mind as you prepare for race day. Be aware of your own fitness and paddling skill level before you begin this sprint. If you are a beginner or true novice, please consider this before setting off down the river. The nature of this racecourse means some sections might become congested with other racers and there is an increased chance of tipping out of your watercraft. Be prepared for the weather and make sure you have enough drinking water to sustain you for the race. It may be a night race but, we could still see high temperatures. As a night race, some sections of the course may be significantly dark. It is highly recommended you use a headlamp or other lighting device throughout the race. If you require assistance, make your way to the Start/Finish line or find a safe place to along the riverwalk to wait for the final lap sweeper at the end of the race. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for your fellow racers.

Highly Recommended Equipment

• Minimum 2L of Drinking Water
• Lighting (Headlamp, Marker Lights, Flashlight, Glowsticks)
• Gear for Removing Water from your Boat (Sponge, Bucket, Bilge Pump)
• Splash Skirt (If Using a Sit-in Kayak)
• Cell Phone
• Hull Repair Gear (Duct Tape, Patches, etc.)
• First Aid Kit

 
Post Race

Following your completion of the race, we invite you to join us at the check-in area for food and an awards ceremony to celebrate your finish! Even if you didn't place in the top three of your class, cheer on your fellow racers and wait for your chance to be selected as Racer of the Day! 

Racer Pack

By registering for this event, racers will receive:

• Chance to compete for a podium finisher trophy
• Commemorative Race the River: Downtown Riverwalk Patch
• Customized Race Bib with boat name and number
• Entry into a Racer of the Day opportunity drawing
• One meal voucher

Awards

Podium finishers and Racer of the Day for each racer class will receive:

• 1st Place – Commemorative Trophy
• 2nd Place – Commemorative Trophy
• 3rd Place – Commemorative Trophy
• Racer of the Day – Commemorative Trophy 

The awards ceremony will take place at approximately 9:30PM or when all racers have completed the race. All winners must be present to collect trophy. 

Race the River 2026 Series Championship

This year we are excited to introduce an additional award to the 2026 Race the River series! This award will recognize the racers who competed throughout the entire series challenged their fellow competitors for the top podiums. Those who meet the eligibility requirements below will earn championship points for their finish position at each race on the San Antonio River. At the end of the year, one man and one woman will be named the 2026 Race the River Series Champs!

How to Qualify & Earn Points:

• Compete in a Pro Category for each of the three 2026 Race the River events
• Points will be awarded based on finish position in class:
  • 1st in Class: 10 pts
  • 2nd: 8 pts
  • 3rd: 6 pts
  • 4th: 4 pts
  • 5th: 2 pts
  • 6th: 1 pt
• Tandem Teams: Points will be awarded to individual racers. You can still earn championship points while competing in a tandem team. 

• All participants enter this race of the Race the River Paddling Race Series at their own risk. The San Antonio River Authority, its officers, directors, employees, agents, volunteers, licensees, successors, and assigns, as well as associated with the San Antonio River Foundation and any other race judges, officials, and sponsors, will be released and held harmless from and for any and all claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever and will not be liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property or equipment.
• All participants must register online and must check-in and sign a participation waiver before the start of each race. A parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver for participants under 18.
• The minimum age for solo participants is 16 years of age. For tandem teams, the minimum is 10 years of age or older, and at least one of the two participants on a tandem team must be at least 18 years of age.
• You will receive an email from the River Authority confirming your online registration. River Authority will provide all necessary information to participants through email after online registration is completed.
• A registration fee per person per race is required. The registration fees will be a donation to the San Antonio River Foundation, which is the nonprofit organization associated with the River Authority.
• Entry fees are final and there are no refunds or deferments.
• In the event this race is postponed by the San Antonio River Authority:
  • Postponement dates will be published as soon as feasible.
  • Postponements will not result in refunds or deferments
• During online registration, participants can pick a custom boat number. Please provide three options, in order of preference. Boat numbers are up to four numerals long without leading zeros. If all preferred choices are selected or you registered after the custom bib deadline of May 14th, a number will be assigned at random.
• It is the responsibility of participants to affix the assigned boat number to each side of the bow of their boat. If a participant chooses to use their own numbers, the numbers must be at least 4" in height and be made of reflective material of a contrasting color from the boat. Boat numbers will be checked prior to the start of each race. If a boat finishes the race without numbers, the racer may be disqualified.
• All race day information, including location, check-in details, race start time, and other pertinent information will be emailed to participants prior to the race.
• It is not the responsibility of River Authority race officials to determine whether a race participant is able to safely continue, or pull out of the race, due to health or other related issues. It is the sole responsibility of each race participant to make the determination to inform race officials if and when a solo participant or tandem team has a serious medical condition, if their location on the river is in doubt, or if their craft is damaged and unable to safely continue. Once contacted, race officials will determine if it is necessary to initiate a rescue effort. If any participant, at any time, feels that an emergency requires a rescue effort, he/she should immediately contact 911.
• Relays in any form are prohibited.
• All supplies, equipment, and items of repair must be in the possession of each solo participant or tandem team at the start of the race.
• Solo participants and/or tandem teams may not receive help or assistance of any kind during any of the races associated with the San Antonio River Basin Race Series, except for the following:
  • Support crews may provide the participants food, ice, drink, or medical materials only at the designated checkpoints. Only re-usable mesh bags may be used to provide the participants food, ice, drink, or medical materials. Food Items may be individually waterproofed in seal-a-meal type bag or zip-lock bag
• Intentional interference with the progress of another participant during the race will be grounds for disqualification.
  The use of pace boats (i.e., crafts that are paddled or powered that follow or lead participants for the purpose of providing any type of support, including wake riding, drafting, or accompanying participants to “keep them up”) is not permitted and may result in disqualification.
• Deliberate littering of the river is grounds for disqualification. Participants should keep their trash in their craft and hand it over to persons at designated checkpoints and/or at the completion of the race.
• Participants may be subject to spot checks at any time by race officials and failure to follow the rules as outlined in the terms and conditions section may result in disqualification.
• Formal protests made by any participant must be submitted to the River Authority by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Wednesday immediately following the race.
• In formulating the rules that govern the San Antonio River Basin Race Series, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that might arise; however, officials of the San Antonio River Authority retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, all entrants will receive notification of same.

• Racer Check-in Location: City Marina - 214 Dwyer Ave, San Antonio, TX 78204
• Racer Check-in Time: 5PM-6:30PM
• Race Start Time: 7PM
• Post-Race Awards: 9:30PM