Red River Paddle Challenge

09/07/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE FOR T-SHIRTS! 🚨

Today is the deadline! If you're planning to paddle with us in the Red River Paddle Challenge or Les Voyageurs Challenge, make sure to register today to guarantee your t-shirt !

You can still register up until Friday; however, after today, t-shirts can no longer be guaranteed or changed on event day. Don't miss out on your official race swag! 🚣‍♂️👕

👉 Register now: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=419381

Not paddling but want a shirt? T-shirts can be ordered online:

https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/2026/08/19/official-2026-t-shirt-reveal-limited-edition-pre-orders-now-open/

Event registration: Red River Paddle Challenge 2026 @ Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Saturday, September 19, 2026 9:00 AM (GMT-5) - Sunday, September 20, 2026 5:00 PM (GMT-5)

09/04/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!

In this episode, Sandy Hudson shares how she built Kayak Manitoba from a pandemic side project into a 6,000-member hub, why the simplest gear is often the best gear, and how one book became a go-to guide for anyone wanting to paddle Manitoba.

🎧 LISTEN NOW via the links below:
https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/2026/09/04/ep-007-sandy-hudson-how-a-kids-kayak-built-manitobas-biggest-paddling-community/

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sandy-hudson-how-a-kids-kayak-built-manitobas/id1894704948?i=1000787833713

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/00BUyorb8L7JJj35EAkiOs?si=kZYEBFhJSUqW5CHs44zMcw

YouTube
https://youtu.be/Z2XochhCZEU?si=ixa_hyrc6wCzAJb6

09/04/2026

Get ready for race day! We’re introducing brand new trophies for top finishers at this year’s Red River Paddle Challenge! 🏆

We’ve created a handful of trophies for some of our most popular boat divisions (canoe, kayak, SUP) and past winners will be thrilled to spot their names already engraved on them. Here’s a sneak peek, but you’ll be able to see all the trophies on display at this year's race.

Want to see your name etched on the trophy for 2026? Registration is open, but not for much longer. Come earn your spot in history!

Big shoutout and thank you to John Thompson for making these trophies happen!

09/01/2026

Looking for an awesome way to be part of the action at this year's Red River Paddle Challenge? We’re still looking for a few amazing volunteers to help make race weekend smooth and safe for all our paddlers!

Whether you love an early morning start or want to cheer paddlers across the line, we have a role for you:

Pre-Race Staging & Safety Gear Check: Check gear and help paddlers get boats staged before launch (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM).

Checkpoint Attendees: Keep the energy high! Host checkpoints along the Red River to track check-ins, cheer on paddlers, and distribute water and snacks.

Timing Crew: Tech-savvy? Help manage race tracking and timing via the RaceOwl app.

On-Water Safety Spotters: Got a powered fishing or recreational boat? Patrol designated course sections to shepherd paddlers and maintain communication.

Ready to join the crew? Send us a message or head over to the Red River Paddle Challenge Volunteer Page to sign up!

https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/volunteer/

08/31/2026

Get your official race shirt in the size that actually fits!

The t-shirt deadline for the Red River Paddle Challenge is September 7.

If you register on or before September 7 at 12:00 PM CST, your preferred shirt size is 100% guaranteed. If you wait past the deadline, you risk ending up with a size that’s far too big or way too small, or missing out on a shirt altogether.

Head over to the registration page, check the size chart, and lock in your spot before time runs out!

https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=419381

08/28/2026

🚨 SPOTS ARE SELLING OUT FAST! 🚨

We are well on our way to a full house at this year’s Red River Paddle Challenge! 🚣‍♂️💨

Spots are filling up quickly, and we highly recommend anyone wanting to grab a place to do so as soon as possible. Avoid disappointment and sign up today! Once we hit our cap, registration will close with no exceptions. If you want to make sure you're at the starting line, grab your spot now before we have to move to a waitlist.

Don't miss out on Manitoba's premier paddling event!

👉 Register today before it’s too late:
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=419381

08/23/2026

📍 Quebec is officially on the map! ⚜️🗺️

With paddlers now joining us from Quebec, we officially have participants coming in from coast to coast across Canada! Seeing our map light up nationwide for this year’s Red River Paddle Challenge and Les Voyageurs Challenge is incredible. 🍁🚣‍♂️

Is your province, territory, or state still blank? There's still time to claim your spot and put your hometown on the map!

🎟️ Ready to join the river family? Register today!
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=419381

08/22/2026

Look who’s heading back to Les Voyageurs Challenge! 🚣‍♂️💨

We are thrilled to welcome back Surfski Bum!

Hailing all the way from Quebec, he’s spent the past year clocking serious miles, traveling, and racing across the US. After putting in the work to recover from an off-season injury, he’s back in the surfski and ready to take on the water with us once again.

He raced with us in 2025 and loved the course, the energy, and this incredible paddling community so much that he couldn't stay away for round two!

Drop a comment below to wish him a strong, healthy race, and give him a warm welcome back to the starting line! 🙌

08/21/2026

Volunteer Opportunity: Event Timing Team! ⏱️📱

We’re looking for 1-2 people to help with event timing during both days of this year's Red River Paddle Challenge.

What we're looking for:

✅ Comfort with technology and using a smartphone

✅ Ability to access and navigate our race tracking and timing system, RaceOwl

✅ Availability for both race days (September 19–20)

✅ Attendance at a brief online training session on September 3 at 6:30 PM

If you're tech-savvy and want to be right in the middle of the race action, we’d love to have you on the team!

📩 Interested? Send us a message or fill out our Volunteer Sign-Up Form to get involved!

https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/volunteer/

08/19/2026

Get ready to gear up for this year's races! 🛶🔥

We’re excited to unveil the official 2026 Les Voyageurs Centennial Celebration t-shirt design!

Here is what you need to know:

Included for participants: All registered paddlers and volunteers for both the Red River Paddle Challenge and the Les Voyageurs Challenge will automatically receive a shirt in their swag bag at check-in.

Pre-order extra shirts: Want an extra shirt for yourself, or buying one for family and friends? Limited-edition commemorative t-shirts are available now for pre-order for $20!

Pick-up details:

Paddlers: Extra pre-ordered shirts will be included right in your race day swag bag.

Non-paddlers: You can pick up your orders directly at the registration tent during race weekend (September 19–20).

⏰ Order Deadline: The shop closes Monday, September 7 at 12:00 PM CST. Don't miss out!

👉 Head over to the shop to claim yours before time runs out!

https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/shop/