08/20/2026
The competitions at the Willamette River Festival aren't just for glory – they're also for some sweet prizes from our brand partners! The top three finishers in each of Saturday's events will go home with some amazing merchandise from , , , , , and more! All festival attendees will also be entered in a free prize drawing for the opportunity to go home with some rad river gear at the end of the day.
Registration for all of our competitions is now open at willametteriverfest.org/activity-registration/ – to encourage more participation from the community, we have decided to drop the registration fee for all competitions.
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Upstream Attainment Race (12pm): The centerpiece competition of the 2026 Willamette River Festival will be an upstream attainment race launching from the River House Beach. Competitors will race upstream, paddle around a buoy anchored in the rapids, and return to the starting line.
Stand-Up Paddleboard Slalom Race (1pm): In WRF’s first ever stand-up paddleboard slalom race, competitors will race around a series of buoys in the flatwater area near the River House Beach before returning to the finish line at shore. Competitors can bring their own paddleboards or borrow one from the River House fleet.
Flatwater Rodeo (2pm): At the Willamette River Festival’s flatwater rodeo, competitors will have a two-minute window to throw down all of their best skills in the River House eddy – competitors will be scored on the basis of style, skill, and stoke. Participants can bring their own boats or borrow a playboat from the River House Outdoor Center.
Swiftwater Rescue Relay (4pm): The Swiftwater Rescue Relay Race is intended to put your river safety skills to the test – each team of four will have to race through a variety of challenges, including throwbagging, rescue swimming, towing, and raft flipping.
Raft Flip Speed Challenge (5pm): Swim out to a raft in the River House eddy, climb in, flip it over, flip it right side up again, and climb back on top. Our judges will time each attempt to see who earns the (somewhat dubious) title of Best Raft Flipper.
