Missouri’s Whitewater Championships Return for 59th Year

Were you aware of Missouri’s whitewater rafting culture? The locations, the events, and the skill involved? Many people enjoy float trips in Missouri, and occasionally those float trips can have moments of quick currents moving through small spaces. Perhaps you ended up in the water if you didn’t navigate those spots correctly. I’m guilty of that…more than once.

The whitewater will rush through some areas in the Show-Me state

There are several places in Missouri where you can challenge your kayak or canoe skills beyond a couple tight moments on a float trip. The whitewater opportunities in the Show-Me-state vary in difficulty. From beginner spots like the Huzzah River or Courtois Creek, to the most difficult run in Missouri, Little Tom Sauk Creek at Tom Sauk Mountain. That location can be graded a class 4 or 5 based on recent rainfall.

The Whitewater Championships in Missouri are in their 59^th year and will be held at the Millstream Gardens Conservation Area near Fredericktown, Missouri, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29.

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A novice downriver race event will kick things off on Friday, with a chili cook-off to follow with live music. Saturday is when things get more intense with different classes of events for skill level, boat type and age groups. A freestyle event closes out the day's water events, with a boater bash banquet at the Bill Banks Event Center in Fredericktown. Sunday includes the boater-cross and slalom events that close the weekend.