Competitive whitewater paddling will return to the historic Upper Ocoee River this summer for the first time since 2001.
The section of what is now the most popular whitewater river in the U.S. was redesigned in the lead-up to the 1996 Olympics to host the whitewater slalom competition. The redesign allowed for a narrower and deeper waterway ideal for competition. After the Olympics, the Upper Ocoee hosted annual competitions for five years. However, events were canceled after 9/11 because of logistical concerns and traveling problems.
For paddlers, it is past time to bring competition back to the river.
“Paddlers are pumped because there’s nothing really in the Southeast right now like this,” event public relations director Casey Robbins said. “A lot of people have to go out west for this type of event. They’re so stoked about this. Paddlers are just thrilled to see competition being brought back to the Ocoee.”
A startup nonprofit, Ocoee River Basin Foundation, will host a three-day whitewater event Aug. 24-26 led by paddlers Jen Maxwell and Jeremy Adkins. The event, called the Ocoee River Championships, includes multi-class competitions in slalom racing, freestyle and downriver. There will also be a general entry raft race, boater cross race, a stand-up paddleboard event and squirt boat competitions.