Q- What is the oldest whitewater race in the US?

[Sir Adam]

I'm trying to do a bit of research for a friend of mine...does anyone know what the oldest whitewater race is in the US? The Hudson Derby is 50 next year...any other races out there that are older (or of started in the '50's as well?)?

Thank you!
Adam

[NateOC]

I think the Farmington is the oldest operating slalom race:

http://users.bestweb.net/~keech/a-farm.htm

Nate

[Jim Michaud]

The book "We Took to the Woods" by Louise Dickinson Rich describes a downriver race on the Rapid River in Maine during the early forties. Most if not all of the kayaks were foldboats. I believe that this was a yearly race event but it was held on a different river every year.

Jim

[Sir Adam]

Does anyone know if this race is still run?

Thank you for all the info!
Adam

[sbroam]

I've been reading "The River Chasers" and the race in Salida, CO is pretty old - can't remember when it started, but I believe it is still being held. I can look when I get home.

[CosmikDebris]

How about most important races:

Green
Russell Fork

Both of which are coming up in just a few short weeks. Would be great to get some C-1 Support out there, should be an interesting year for it. Some people have even been 'training'!

[RodeoClown]

FIBArk, in Salida CO has been going on since 1949. That's the oldest one I know of. It started out as a down river race, which is still going on today, but now also has slalom races (since 1953), raft race (since 1976) and a rodeo (since 1989). All in all, a fun event.
More on FIBArk history http://www.fibark.com/history.cfm

Jeremy

[ChrisKelly]

n/t

[Alden]

"The one that's having the most fun!"

Alden

[Mike W.]

I put out the feelers on this one. The Potomac Downriver Race had it's 50th anniversary two years ago.