Frequently Asked Questions

The Red River Paddle Challenge is open to any human-powered craft including:

• Solo kayak
• Double kayak
• Sprint kayak
• Surfski
• Tandem surfski
• Outrigger canoes (OC-1, OC-2, etc.)
• Solo canoe
• Tandem canoe
• Sprint canoe
• Stand up paddleboard (SUP) – minimum 11′ in length, maximum 14′ in length
• Unlimited SUP (>14’ in length)
• Voyageur canoe
• Dragon boat
• Dragon SUP
• Row boat (single or double)
• Pedal drive boats
• Other (if you do not see your preferred boat type listed here, please contact us)

The Red River Paddle Challenge Kayak division is limited to boats that are 20″+ wide. Surfski style designs like the Epic V8 Pro and Stellar S18S have features very similar to this so they are grouped with the kayak division.

Any craft that has a width of less than 20 inches should be registered in the solo category under Sprint Kayak / Surfski boat type. This includes high-performance sea kayaks, surfskis, and ICF K1 sprint kayaks.

Tandem kayak and tandem surfski divisions are differentiated solely based on width. If the craft is 22″ or greater we deem the craft a tandem kayak. Anything less than 22″ wide is considered tandem surfski and should be registered in the tandem category under Sprint Kayak / Surfski boat type.

Examples of boats in the Sprint Kayak / Surfski category:

• ICF Sprint Kayaks: Nelo, Plastex
• Epic: V14, V12, V10L, V10, V10 Sport
• Think: Uno Max, Ion, Evo
• Stellar: SES, SE, SEI, SR
• Fenn: Spark, Glide, Elite, Swordfish, XT
• Westside: Thunderbolt, Marauder, Dark Starr
• Vajda: Hawx, Hawx 46, Next
• Huki: S1-X
• Nelo: 560 series

Examples For Kayak Division:

• Epic: 18X, V8, V7, V6, V5
• Think: Ace, EZE, Nitro
• Stellar: S18s, S18r, S16, S14
• Fenn: Bluefin
• Vajda: Oscar, Raptor
• Nelo 520
• Westside EFT

YES. All paddlers are required to register and pay the registration fee individually for the event. The event entry fee is per person, not per team.

If you are signing up in a tandem or multi-person category:

• The first team member to register needs to enter a unique team name. On the event registration page, click the Team name field and select Other. Then enter your team name in the blank field that appears. Be creative and have fun with your team name.
• After the first team member completes their registration, the team name will be available for other paddlers to select from the Team name field when completing their registration. It’s important that all team members have the same team name so that our event timers and volunteers track and record the correct data during the race.

Note: Paddlers who sign up for the Red River 100 are automatically entered in the Red River Paddle Challenge. You don’t need to register for both events if participating in the RR100.

The Manitoba Paddling Association (MPA) has 10 canoes, 7 sea kayaks, and several 14′ stand up paddleboards available to rent for the Red River Paddle Challenge. The rental through the MPA includes all the required safety gear, PFD, paddles, etc. To make the deal even sweeter, the MPA will deliver your rental boat to the start line the morning of the race AND pick it up from the finish line once you are finished. So all you have to do is show up and paddle. Boats are available on a first come first served basis so best to sign up and reserve your boat ASAP. To reserve your boat for the race email the club at mckcwpg@gmail.com

Many of the local paddling shops in Winnipeg also have canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards available to rent. If you do need to rent a boat, we recommend making your reservation well in advance.

YES! Every participant is required to wear a transport Canada approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the water. SUP paddlers and rowers may wear the inflatable belt pack PFDs. Failure to wear your PFD will result in disqualification from the race.

YES! Every boat is required to have a bailer or manual bilge pump. This includes outrigger canoes and rowing boats. Stand up paddleboards are the only boat type that do not require one. Please refer to the Rules for the complete list of mandatory equipment required by each paddler/boat.

The average temperature for mid-September in Winnipeg is 13°C (55°F), with an average high of 18°C and an average low of 6°C (42°F to 65°F). Paddlers should be prepared for both a hot or cold day, as well as rain and wind. Weather is unpredictable and we want all paddlers to be prepared for any situation. Bring a dry bag with an extra layer and rain gear.

As we near the event we will post wind and weather forecasts.

Yes you can expect to see other boaters on the water. The density will be greater in Winnipeg (especially around the Forks) and the boat launch areas. Depending on the weather, you will see a mix of motorized boaters (including wakeboarders), other paddlers and people fishing.

Yes! Take as many breaks as you need. It is common and you will see other people resting too. The checkpoints are a great opportunity for a rest. Simply floating in the current for five minutes here and there is another. But, always pay attention that you are not drifting into a snag or tree.

Racers who take a break that ends up going longer than 30 minutes should text organizers to let them know and provide them with your approximate location and what your next steps will be.

Please note that although a portion of this event takes place within the City of Winnipeg, the RRPC is considered an outdoor wilderness adventure race. Therefore, there are no official or designated outhouses or portable toilet facilities along the route. Please use discretion should you need to answer the call of nature during your paddle.

Both the Red River Paddle Challenge and Red River 100 will go on unless hazardous conditions (fires, floods, natural disasters, etc.) preclude a safe race environment. In the event the Red River Paddle Challenge and/or the Red River 100 is cancelled due to extreme weather, fire, flood, or for some other unforeseeable event outside of our control, we cannot offer refunds.

General refunds are available according to the following schedule:

• Up to and including July 31, 2025: 75% refund of registration fee (excluding any Webscorer service fees).
• August 1–31, 2025: 50% refund of registration fee (excluding any Webscorer service fees).
• No refunds after September 1, 2025.

For more details, please refer to our Cancellation and Refund Policy.

If you’re from out of town and are planning on joining us for the race, we encourage you to make your lodging plans soon. There are numerous hotel options available in Winnipeg. For those interested in camping, there are a few campgrounds located just outside of the city, with Birds Hill Provincial Park being our personal favourite. There’s also the KOA Winnipeg West Campground.

There are also plenty of places to stay closer to the finish line (Lockport, Selkirk, St. Andrews, etc.). Check out our friends Red River North Tourism’s website for a list of Places to Stay in the area.

If you have questions about a specific hotel or camping location, contact us and we’ll do our best to help you get answers.

There is very limited parking at the race start. If you do not have a support team, we strongly recommend that you use our shuttle service and leave your vehicle at the finish line.

There will be an on water safety boat closer to the finish line to direct people safely to the finish line. Yes there will be a safety sweep boat behind the last paddler.

Yes, you absolutely can! There are many tasks that need to be done leading up to the day of the race and we can always use the extra help. The only time a racer can’t volunteer is during the actual race. Contact us about volunteering if you’re interested.

While we don’t recommend drinking the water from the Red River, the river is generally safe and people should be out there doing summer activities such as paddling. Check out the video below or read this article by Global News: Ripple effect: The Red River, what’s in the water and how safe is it?