The 2026 New River Canoe Race, brought to you by Skyline Skybest, New River Brewing Company, New River State Park and Zaloo’s Canoes, was one of our most successful events ever.
With 90 participants, over 20 volunteers and 5 NRC staff this was the best attended New River Canoe Race the New River Conservancy has hosted. The blue skies, the excitement of the crowd and paddlers, and the recent rains that boosted the flow of the New River gave us ideal conditions for the race.
The best time for the five mile race came in at 55 minutes from Brandeon and Shawn Turlington in the Expert Men Canoe Two Person category, who came in 13 seconds before Terry Kepple in the Special Class Other category.
We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors and all our volunteers, without whom we could not have hosted this race. Special thanks to the Ashe County Rescue Squad , the Ashe Scouting Group Cub Group 221 and Rocket BBQ. Extra special thanks to Jonathan Biebesheim for standing in the New River and taking the incredible photos and videos of the day!
For all race times please visit: TIMES
For all photos and videos please visit: MEDIA
If you have videos or photos to share, tag us as #NewRiverConservancy or send to info@newriverconservancy.org
