Colorado paddle events happen on reservoirs, lakes and rivers from late spring through early fall, from casual stand up paddle races to whitewater festivals in mountain towns.
In this video
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:09 What it looks like
- 0:22 Formats
- 1:43 Build it
- 1:53 Registration
- 1:59 Results
- 2:29 Event day
- 2:42 Fun ideas
- 3:18 Tip
Step by step
Running a paddle event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.
What it looks like
Colorado paddle events happen on reservoirs, lakes and rivers from late spring through early fall, from casual stand up paddle races to whitewater festivals in mountain towns.
Formats
- SUP Race
- Stand up paddlers race a buoy course or point-to-point route, often with short and long distances.
- Kayak Race
- Kayakers race a flatwater or river course, often split by boat type and length.
- Whitewater Raft Race
- Teams paddle rafts down a rapid section, sometimes with a sprint and a slalom.
- Canoe Race
- Solo or tandem canoes race a lake loop or river stretch.
- Dragon Boat
- Teams of about 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer race long boats in heats, often 200 or 500 meters.
- Rowing / Regatta
- Crews race rowing shells in lanes over a set distance in heats and finals.
- Downriver / River Race
- Paddlers race point-to-point down a river with individual or wave starts.
- Wakeboard / Water-Ski
- Riders are pulled behind a boat and perform runs judged on tricks, slalom passes or jumps.
- Paddle Board Relay
- Teams pass a paddle at the shore between legs of a short course. Splashy handoffs make it a crowd favorite.
- Rubber Duck Race
- Sell numbered rubber ducks, release them into the water and award prizes for the first ducks across the line. A Colorado raffle license may be needed.
- Captain's Cup Tradition
- The winning crew takes home a cup, and the captain gets a ceremonial splash. Add a gag prize for the most dramatic fall.
Build it
In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick paddle and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.
Registration
In Registration, ask what you need from each entrant, like craft.
Results
Open Course map and race info to upload a GPX file or draw the route, and pin the start, finish, water and parking. Bibs are automatic: set the first bib and every entrant gets the next number when they register. Time it with the phone finish line link, which works with no signal, or upload your timer's results file. Pick age groups and awards, and every entrant gets a results email when you post them.
Event day
Paddlers check in and get numbers, attend a safety briefing about the course and buoys, warm up in the water, race in heats or waves, then gather on shore for results and awards.
Fun ideas
Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Paddle Board Relay. Teams pass a paddle at the shore between legs of a short course. Splashy handoffs make it a crowd favorite. Rubber Duck Race. Sell numbered rubber ducks, release them into the water and award prizes for the first ducks across the line. A Colorado raffle license may be needed. Captain's Cup Tradition. The winning crew takes home a cup, and the captain gets a ceremonial splash. Add a gag prize for the most dramatic fall.
Tip
One tip for first-timers: require life jackets for everyone and post safety boats along the course, and check water levels or wind forecasts the week before. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.
Questions organizers ask
What formats can you use for a paddle event?
Common paddle formats include SUP Race, Kayak Race, Whitewater Raft Race, Canoe Race, Dragon Boat, Rowing / Regatta, Downriver / River Race, Wakeboard / Water-Ski, Paddle Board Relay, Rubber Duck Race and Captain's Cup Tradition. On Colorado Under Par you pick one when you create your event, and every tab and the Start here guide follow it.
What should you ask paddle participants when they register?
In Registration, ask what you need from each entrant, like craft.
What happens on the day of a paddle event?
Paddlers check in and get numbers, attend a safety briefing about the course and buoys, warm up in the water, race in heats or waves, then gather on shore for results and awards.
How much does it cost to run a paddle event on Colorado Under Par?
Building the event is free. When you sell registrations or sponsorships, CUP charges 1% per paid order plus card processing, and the money goes to your own Stripe account. Listing an event on the Colorado Under Par calendar is free.
