Cuyahoga Falls Kayak Race

Expert kayakers, get ready to experience a race like no other. A half mile stretch of rapids, with just over 60 feet of elevation drop, completely surrounded by an urban setting. At the end of the race you’ll find yourself at the bottom of a 100-foot canyon. At the top of the canyon walls, on river left, is State Route 8, which has an estimated 90,000 travelers per day. On the opposing side, river right, is downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Just seconds away from this Class V run are all your urban amenities including multiple restaurants and bars, a brewery, hotel, apartments, and cafe. The race is unique because it’s short enough that shuttling or portaging for multiple laps is easy, and it’s surrounded by everything you could possibly need.

​The race begins under the Portage Trail Bridge with 450 yards of Class II waves. When arriving at the Sheraton Hotel, paddlers prepare for Rookie Drop, an 8-foot, Class III waterfall. Just 75 yards later paddlers have to prepare for the Class V rapid Welcome to the Jumble. It’s a 10-foot waterfall, immediately followed by a rock Jumble containing pin hazards, sieves, and undercut rocks. After navigating the Jumble, paddlers continue on for another 300 yards of Class II waves. The last 75 yards to the finish line consists of the Class II Weeping Cliff Rapids. The Finish is a massive 20+ foot rock, named in the late 1800s as “Anchor Rock”, on river left.

The race course is approximately a 1/2 mile. Paddlers must continue on for a 1 mile scenic flat water cruise to the takeout, located under the Front Street Bridge on River Left near Gorge Metro Park.