PLEASE READ EVERYTHING (yes we know it is a lot of information here)!!!
This form is for racers only. If you wish to volunteer on land or be on the safety team, please use the Ocoee River Race Safety Team or Ocoee River Race Land Volunteers registration pages.
What: Ocoee River Race 2025
Where: Middle Ocoee River Put-In (race), Adventures Unlimited (after party)
Date: October 11, 2025
Time: 8:30am-10:00am (check-in), 11:00am (race starts)
Registration Dates: September 2 (8:00am)-October 3
Maximum Capacity: 150 racers
Contact: Katey Neuffer (president@tvccpaddler.org) or Carl Schoonover (training@tvccpaddler.org)
This event is free to all members (excluding one-time guests). You must have an active membership at the time of the race. Rafts must have at least one active member participating. You must register before the registration deadline. No walk-ons registrations will be accepted.
If you and a family member (minor) are racing separately, you must register your family member (minor) at the same time. If a family member (minor) decides they wish to race after you have registered, you need to contact Carl Schoonover at training@tvccpaddler.org.
To create a membership or renew your membership, click here.
We will be selling T-shirts. The cost is $25 for XS-XL, and $28 for 2XL-3XL. The cutoff date to order a shirt is Wednesday, September 24.
We are also having a raffle this year with lots of prizes, including two boats! Proceeds will benefit First Descents!
RACE COURSE: The course is on the middle Ocoee from the put-in eddy to the raft located just below Powerhouse rapid. Paddlers will be released at 1 minute intervals unless there is traffic. Any person leaving the eddy prematurely will be disqualified. Finish time will be determined when the paddler tags the time keeper raft with their kayak. The time keeper raft will be in the river right eddy below Powerhouse rapid (YOU MUST PHYSICALLY TOUCH THE TIMING RAFT TO FINISH). Verify your race number with a time keeper before continuing down to the takeout. The winner in each division will be determined by fastest time. In order to comply with our Forest Service Permits, we ask for racers to paddle down to the private boater takeout.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR RACE BIB TO THE RAFT FOLLOWING THE FINISH LINE. Any paddler not returning their racing bib will be disqualified from awards.
RACE DIVISIONS: In the spirit of amateur competition, all professional, sponsored, and members of any paddling race team must race in the elite division. Long boats are defined as any kayak 9’1” or over in length or any open boat 9’3” or over in length. Race divisions include Elite Men’s Long Boat, Elite Men’s Short Boat, Elite Women’s Long Boat*, Men’s Long Boat, Women’s Long Boat, Men’s Short Boat, Women’s Short Boat, OC1 Long Boat, OC1 Short Boat, C-1, Hand Paddles (short boat only), Tandem**, Tandem-Adult & Youth** (youth < 16 years old), Raft**, and Shredder/Slice**. Medals are NOT guaranteed for these classes if 3 people have not registered in the class before September 20, 2025. Paddlers who do not fit into one of the above categories will race for time only, unless you can find two other people to register in the same craft, then you will qualify for a class! Additional classes can be made if more than 3 racers of that craft pre-register. All 3 must register by September 22nd to get a medal for the class.
Race Divisions are subject to change!
Racers can race in up to two divisions only. Long boats will race first, followed by short boats, then second classes. There is a cap on the number of racers, so please pre-register early for a spot!
*The Elite Women's Long Boat class may be combined with Women’s Longboat if less than 3 boaters pre-register.
**Tandem partners racing ONLY in the tandem class do not require a separate registration, but at least one partner must register.
Junior participants (age 17 and under on race date) must have a parent/guardian sign the waiver and present on race day.
TVCC reserves the right to deny race entry to any paddler for any reason.
SAFETY:All paddlers competing in the race must wear an approved PFD and helmet. All boats are required to have appropriate flotation. On-water safety will be set up along the river at key locations, but you are primarily responsible for your own safety. The expectation is that you are an highly experience whitewater paddler and are knowledgeable in river safety. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the Middle Ocoee prior to the race. We will have an in person safety talk with all of the participants at 10:15 am.
There will be an awards ceremony at Adventures Unlimited.
PRELIMINARY RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
8:30-10:00 am Check-in and number pick up at the upper parking lot at the middle put in. Please have check in and have everything (including transport) situated no latear than 10:00am.
10:15 am Safety Briefing
11:00 am Racing begins
Saturday evening: Awards Ceremony at Adventures Unlimited
RACE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND CANCELATION: USFS has the ultimate say on whether this event will proceed. If the event is cancelled, there is no refund on membership costs.
We will be sending an email to the participants prior to the event with additional critical information about race day procedures. Please make sure you check your email!