Whitewater Weekly
RallyCrew’s Whitewater Weekly is your go‑to weekly roundup of the latest whitewater news, events, and standout community highlights from around the paddling world. It brings essential updates and stoke straight to your screen, helping you stay connected and know what’s happening on rivers worldwide each week.
What is Whitewater Weekly?
It’s a short, digestible weekly video that condenses the biggest moments in whitewater into a format you can keep up with.
A river saved or a critical access win
A first descent or standout expedition
A race, festival, or event announcement
Other major whitewater news from around the world
All packed into a quick weekly update so you stay in the know.
Created by the Community, for the Community
Whitewater Weekly is more than headlines, it’s about our community. From grassroots river access efforts to local events that deserve more hype, this is a space to amplify what matters most to paddlers everywhere.
Have News to Share?
We want to hear from you! If you have a river access or conservation petition that needs signatures, or a festival, race, first descent, or issue the community should know about, send us the details at hello@rallycrew.com.
The only weekly, whitewater-specific news update bringing together everything happening on rivers around the world, all in one place.
MAR 4, 2026
WASHINGTON
Collegiate Whitewater Fest returns April 4, 2026, to the Skykomish River in Index, Washington. Students, racers, guides, and paddlers from across the region will gather for a weekend of racing, community, and classic Pacific Northwest whitewater. Find the event details and RSVP here.
EVENT ORGANIZERS
RallyCrew makes it easy to create and share paddling events, from local club runs to festivals and races. Post your event, share the details, and connect with paddlers who want to be there. Learn how to create an event here.
NEXT WEEK Pacuare River, Costa Rica — what’s happening and why paddlers should be paying attention.
FEB 25, 2026
This week’s whitewater check-in is all about river conservation.
MONTENEGRO
On the Komarnica River, one of Europe’s last truly wild canyon rivers, a proposed hydropower plant would flood long stretches of limestone gorge and turn free-flowing current into reservoir flatwater. The Komarnica runs through a biodiverse canyon system within a proposed protected area and feeds the Piva and Tara Rivers — central to Montenegro’s identity as an ecological state. Local groups, including Društvo Ekologa Crne Gore, have launched an international petition calling for the project to be stopped and for lasting protection of the canyon. A short film, The Wild That Remains, premieres March 14, with a live webinar and pre-screening Q&A on March 12. Petition and event details are on RallyCrew.
More Info: www.savekomarnica.com
FEB 18, 2026
CANADA
RallyCrew’s Paddling Passport speaker series heads to the Canadian Rockies on Feb 25, 2026, with Simon Coward of AQ Outdoors leading a virtual deep dive into seasons, key rivers, local clubs and events, and trip planning for kayaks and packrafts. Register here.
COLORADO RIVER BASIN
Public comment is open through March 2, 2026, on post-2026 basin management decisions that will shape dam operations and flows throughout the system, including the Grand Canyon. American Whitewater is encouraging paddlers to weigh in. More info here.
MONTENEGRO
Kayak Fest Montenegro returns May 24–30, 2026, after a two-year break, offering a week of paddling on five rivers including the Tara — a strong anchor trip if the Balkans are on your radar. RallyCrew members can find all the info here. Not yet a member, create a profile for free today!
FEB 9, 2026
*Correction: Freedom to Float at the Georgia State Capitol is Thursday, February 12.
COLORADO
SOL Paddle Board’s SOLrey took home Paddling Magazine’s 2026 “Best SUP” award, highlighting the board’s versatility and the Switchblade retractable fin.
IRELAND
Galway Fest is coming up March 6-8, 2026. All the details can be found on RallyCrew.
GEORGIA
On Feb 12, 2026 the Boaters Day at the Georgia State Capitol Building will take place at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, where paddlers will meet with legislators and attend briefings to advocate for stronger public river access under Georgia’s Right to Float (Freedom to Float) initiative.
FEB 02, 2026
TENNESSEE
On the Duck River, a push for Scenic River protection is up against efforts to revive the long-stalled Columbia Dam project, now moving through state legislature. River advocates are rallying to protect the river.
MASSACHUSETTS
Pride Day on the River returns June 13, 2026 to the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River in Charlemont, Massachusetts. Hosted by RallyCrew member Ann Gillard, the event brings LGBTQ+ paddlers and allies together for a celebratory day on the water.
NEW ZEALAND
West Coast Packrafting is now on RallyCrew! Based out of Hokitika NZ, they offer packrafting instruction and guided trips on New Zealand’s wild West Coast rivers.
JAN 19, 2026
WALES
A decision is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21 on a hydro proposal at Cwm Cynfal in Eryri National Park. The project would divert up to 70% of the Afon Cynfal away from Rhaeadr y Cwm, and the site has a conservation designation for rare habitats and species. Save Our Rivers and partners are urging paddlers and river people to speak up now. The action link is here, to add your voice.
CHILE
Aniol Serrasolses and Serrasolses Brothers River Co. have Mighty Futaleufú weeks running. It’s a progression-focused, big water coaching week on one of the most iconic rivers on the planet. More info here.
OREGON
In the Pacific Northwest, Zach Collier at Northwest Rafting Company is making river safety training more accessible through one day Safety and Rescue Clinics out of Hood River.
WORLDWIDE
Coming up soon, International Packraft Film Festival submissions close February 15, presented by Alpacka Raft and RallyCrew.
If you are on RallyCrew already, friend or follow these paddlers and their businesses to stay in the loop, and reach out to them with any questions. If you aren’t on RallyCrew yet, join for FREE today.
@aniol
@zachcollier
@internationalpackraftingfilmfestival
JAN 12, 2026
WASHINGTON STATE
The proposed Chehalis River flood retention project is in public comment through February 4. The Environmental Impact Statement says it would eliminate about 6.6 miles of kayaking and rafting access. American Whitewater is opposed. There is a public meeting January 13 in Aberdeen.
NORWAY
On the Raundalselva River, there was a big win against a plan to divert the river underground through flood tunnels tied to a hydropower project, which would have seriously changed a world-class kayaking run. Instead, the Voss municipality chose flood protection without the tunnels and without hydropower development.
WORLDWIDE
The International Canoe Federation has a packed 2026 calendar starting with the Regata Internacional del Río Negro which runs from January 7-18 in Viedma, Argentina, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Mangahao Open is January 17 in New Zealand, followed by the New Zealand Open, an ICF World Ranking race, on January 18. Slalom races continue in Underberg, South Africa from January 24 and 25.
JAN 5, 2026
NEW ZEALAND
The Packrafting Association of New Zealand (PRANZ) National Meetup runs from January 7–11 in Murchison. Five days of packrafting, skill-sharing, and community laps.
CHILE
Futa River Fest is happening January 9th-10th on the Futaleufú River. Patagonia’s in full swing, and the Futa is the kind of place that pulls paddlers in from everywhere.
COLORADO
American Whitewater and partners are pursuing stream access legislation in the 2026 session. In plain terms, it’s about making it clearer that people can float rivers and also do basic safety moves like scouting and carrying around hazards when they have to. Colorado’s session convenes January 14th.
IDAHO
The North Fork Championship is officially back June 9–11, 2026 in Banks, Idaho!
Create a free RallyCrew profile today and never miss a Whitewater Weekly!
RallyCrew is built for paddlers who want to share stories, learn, progress and connect with the paddlesports community.
Join RallyCrew today!
What is RallyCrew
Like a giant online eddy, RallyCrew is your digital home for whitewater boating: find fellow boaters, plan trips, and discover courses and other events—all in one place.
