The 2023 Great Falls Races and Potomac Festival will be held on August 12 & 13 in Potomac, Maryland. Preregistration and experience on Great Falls are required to participate in these Class V races.

CLASSIC – Downriver race. Also known as the “Longboat Race”, but racers may select any boat length. The Great Falls Race demands a paddler to be steady yet dynamic and can reward or punish a racer for choosing an aggressive line. A section of the Falls will be chosen for the race based on our Water Levels Chart and common consensus. Competitors will be allowed 2 race runs in their boat of choice. The fastest single run wins the Cup!

SLALOM – The local kayaking community has long blended slalom moves in Class V whitewater. The slalom course will be 2-5 gates, buoys, mandatory channels, and rock touches. Race staff will set the course during the week of the event, dictated by water levels, to showcase the best moves on the river and reward the most adaptable technical paddlers in 8-9 foot creek boats. Each racer takes one run.

SHORT – Downriver race in boats up to 9.5 feet in length. A section of the Falls will be chosen for the race based on our Water Levels Chart and common consensus. Each racer takes one run. Note: if we do not hold a Slalom race, competitors will be allowed two race runs and the fastest single time wins. 

REGISTRATATION ENDS AT 9:00 PM ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 10.

PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY. NO ON-SITE RACE DAY REGISTRATION.

Schedule & Location:

Staging area: Great Falls Park (near Tavern), 11710 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854

Saturday, August 12th

7:30-8:00 AM - Racer check-in, sign waivers, receive bibs
8:00 AM - Pre-Race Briefing
7:30-8:00 AM - Shoreline, Safety, and Timing crews arrive at either MD or VA side lots
8:00-9:00 AM - Safety and timing set-up, racers can take practice laps
9:00 AM - Slalom race starts
11:00 AM - Approximate start for short boat downriver race
2:00 PM Awards Ceremony at Potomac Festival

Sunday, August 13th

8:00 AM - Arrival for safety and timing set-up, racers can take practice laps
9:00 AM - Longboat Downriver run #1 starts
11:00 AM - Approximate start for longboat run #2
1 PM - Awards Ceremony at Great Falls Tavern picnic area (Maryland side)

POTOMAC FESTIVAL

We will host this year's Potomac Festival at the Carderock Pavillion.

The Festival will include:

• Saturday race awards
• Volunteer-only raffles
• Public raffles
• Food & drink
• River-related organizations Paddlesports industry representatives

Address: 9500 Macarthur Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817

FEES

$50 ($60) - Great Falls Race (Race entry for both days and food at the Festival). Entry fee increases to $60 on August 3.

$10/$40 - Raffle tickets ($10 for one ticket; $40 for packet of 5 tickets).

$20 - T-shirt.

Raffle Details: Participants do NOT need to be present to win. However, the winner must arrange PICK-UP of winnings from the Great Falls, MD area.

Race rules, registration and information at greatfallsfoundation.org or on the Great falls Race Facebook page at facebook.com/greatfallsfoundation.