This September, make sure you carve time out of your busy schedule to head down to Ocoee, Tennessee to jump in the water and get involved in the Ocoee River Championships! September 13th through the 15th will be the second installment of this annual white water event. With exciting music, a variety of talented vendors, and of course, outdoor river activities, what’s not to love?
WHY THE OCOEE RIVER BASIN?
Eastern Tennessee is the proud home of the Ocoee River Basin, a long-time river and white water rafting oasis. This mighty river and the beautiful scenery of the Cherokee National Forest that surrounds it has attracted a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds and industries. The white water community here draws in tourists and rafting or paddling enthusiasts from all over and has an economic impact of $43 million per year. So, to say that this area is rich with culture and opportunity is an understatement!
WHERE WILL THE OCOEE RIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS BE, EXACTLY?
The Ocoee River Championships will be held at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on Highway 64 near Ducktown, Tennessee, approximately one hour from Chattanooga. If you’re coming from out of state, this is quite a convenient drive from Atlanta, Georgia, and northern Alabama.
WHAT ALL IS INVOLVED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS?
With this three-day experience, there will be so much to do, see, and learn! We’ll have fabulous live music, regional vendors selling their goods, classes, and of course, competitions! Our competitive activities include (but are not necessarily limited to) downriver racing (including rafting, SUP, canoeing, and kayaking), slalom racing, freestyling, and squirt boating.
The inaugural championships last year in September 2018 were a massive success. They brought around more than 130 athletes (both men and women!) in a variety of competitions. We had 22 dynamic raft teams, 30 freestyling it, 48 paddlers in boatercross, and so much more! Ready to become a part of it? Register to be a competitor today!
If you’re more interested in helping us set up for the big weekend or doing other volunteer work, we could really use a hand! Sign up to be a volunteer and we’ll be forever grateful. Or maybe you’re feeling even more benevolent and want to donate a bit of green to our cause. Become a sponsor today, and help us pursue our dream of bringing tourism and ecological awareness to our beloved Ocoee River Basin!
We don’t charge an admission fee for the competition, so if spectating is what you’re after, anyone and everyone is invited! Dogs are more than welcome as well, but please keep in mind that they must be on a leash and have a friend or family member accompanying them at all times. You’ll have plenty to keep you busy, between watching events and checking out goods from our vendors! Don’t worry if you don’t see anything on that page yet — we’re still gathering the best possible regional vendors from all around, so check back later to get a better idea of what we’ll have to offer. If you’re looking to become a vendor, go ahead and sign up on that same page, and we’ll let you know!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND COME VISIT US THIS SEPTEMBER. WE GUARANTEE A GOOD TIME!
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
ORC is the signature event of the Ocoee River Basin Foundation, whose mission is river revitalization, youth engagement in watersports, ecosystem preservation, and promoting the Ocoee River Basin. Many thanks to all the vendors, musicians, sponsors, competitors, and volunteers that make the Ocoee River Championships a success!
