It's a Whitewater Weekend!
Updated: Feb 10, 2022
The third weekend in February is always a FULL Whitewater Weekend; and 2022 is no exception. Coming up February 19th and 20th will be the National Paddling Film Festival, The Jess Cup Elkhorn Creek Whitewater Race and the Jackson Kayak Fun Tour Stop at Canoe Kentucky. (Click the links to go straight to each section)
The National Paddling Film Festival has been the premiere whitewater films showing event since 1983, and has raised over $180,000 for paddling organizations all over the globe, including American Whitewater.
This years in person event will be at the Lyric Theater in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday, February 19 from 4 PM to 10 PM. The cost for this event is $25.00 per person. You may also participate virtually, for $20.00, viewing the in person event live on the 19th from the comfort of your home, and access to all the video content from Feb. 6 to Feb. 26.
The in person event features great movies in all sorts of categories, a chili cookoff, beer from West 6th Brewery, an online auction of some awesome paddling gear and swag, and a few giveaways. At the in person event, Canoe Kentucky will be raffling a "Winner's Choice" Jackson Kayaks whitewater kayak. Cost for tickets will be $15.00, or three for $30.00. Winner will be drawn at the close of the event.
Details for the NPFF can be found HERE!
The Jess Cup Elkhorn Creek Whitewater Race, which will be Saturday, February 19th is in it's 13th year and is the fastest 25 minutes on the Elkhorn. Racers run from the Forks of Elkhorn to the Saufely's Bottom VPA, a distance of about 5 miles. The event meets beginning at 9:00 AM at the American Whitewater Elkhorn Acres access. From there, shuttles are provided by Canoe Kentucky to the Forks put in. The race officially begins at 11:00 AM.
This is a fun race, so take it seriously or don't! Participants are asked to bring along a prize as their entry fee. It can be anything from paddling related to your favorite bottle of bourbon.
On Sunday, February 20th, from 12 PM to 4 PM, Canoe Kentucky will host the Jackson Kayaks Fun Tour. Clay Wright, long time professional whitewater kayaker, a darn nice guy and a very good friend of Canoe Kentucky, will be spending a few hours on the Elkhorn Creek at one of our favorite surf spots, Church Ledge. Clay will be available to answer questions, show off in the hole in the new Jackson Kayaks Rock Star 5, teach different techniques and just share the wave with others!
This event will be at the Forks of Elkhorn Whitewater Put In, located at 3866 Georgetown Road, Frankfort KY. We'll have Ale-8-One soda and Sig Luscher Brewery beer on site to make a fun day with paddling friends even better!
We ask that you come and support this local event. Even if you are not a whitewater kayaker, or even a paddler at all; this is a great chance to come experience what the paddling community is all about. Come see why the Elkhorn Creek is drawing so many people to its banks. See for yourself what an asset we have in Franklin County, and how we all need work together to protect it and to grow it's access even more.
More info for this event COMING SOON!