Over the Falls Race

The Over the Falls race is a kayak race that consists of a two-foot ledge, four-foot ledge and an eighteen-foot waterfall named Ohiopyle Falls. The course is approximately a quarter-mile in length, and is considered a class IV run, based off of American Whitewater's (AW) rating of Ohiopyle Falls.
Date: Saturday, August 15th 2026
Location: Ohiopyle State Park
Registration: (Registration link will be posted here soon!)
$25 for Loop Race ONLY
$35 for Over the Falls Race ONLY
$50 for Loop Race AND Over the Falls Race
* Registration will close on Thursday, August 13th at 10PM! There will be NO day-of registration
Race Course:
Start Line: River right, downstream of the Rt.381 bridge
Finish Line: River right rock, approximately 200 ft downstream of the falls
Level Restrictions:
Min: 1.2 ft
Max: 1.89 ft
Schedule:
3:00PM - 5:00PM: Registration/check-in at the Twisted Spoke Cafe
3:00PM: Volunteer/safety meeting at the Twisted Spoke Cafe
4:00PM: Racers’ waterfall practice laps
5:45PM: Racer safety meeting on above the putin, near to the visitor center
6:00PM: Race starts. Racers will be started in 1 minute intervals
8:00PM: awards and music at the Twisted Spoke Cafe
Boat Categories:
Short, Long, and Race.. What's the definition of a 'short boat'? Not a long boat. In other words, we're not imposing the 9' limit, but be cool and don't push the boundaries. A half-slice at 9' 4" is fine (e.g., large Rewind), but a full creeker closer to 10' is not OK. The race category consists of speeders, wavehoppers, and Wildwater boats. Again, the rule for this category is: be cool, don't be uncool.
* NO inflatables allowed in the Over the Falls Race
Safety:
A safety team will be positioned at the horseshoe hole above the falls, directly above the falls, and directly below the falls. All racers are required to wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD and helmet.
Volunteer:
If you would like to help out at the event, please reach out to Eric, our Youghiogheny Riverkeeper. Call 724-455-4200 ext. 2 or email [email protected]