The Peavine Whitewater Race is a downriver paddling event on the White River, to benefit the Ridgeline Outdoor Collective. Whitewater paddlers of all experience levels and abilities will challenge themselves and each other on this beautiful section. The event takes its name from the narrow-gauge rail line that once clung to the sides of the valley. Floods and washouts doomed it to failure but traces of the Peavine Railroad can still be seen along the way.
Report of the 2023 from event organizer Mike McDonnell:
48 racers paddled solo and tandem kayaks ranging from 7ft to 17ft long, solo and tandem canoes, and a whitewater SUP. The low water conditions we had for last year’s inaugural race were offset by generous flows this time around. On Monday of race week, the White River crested after heavy rainfall at over 12,000 cubic feet per second, representing 1,000% higher flow than our 2022 race day level of 1,200cfs. The rain departed in time for the river to fall to 3,000cfs by noon on Saturday, a sporty water level made even more enticing by the arrival of sunny, warm weather. Racers navigated the tricky rapids downstream of Stony Brook Rd as volunteer saftey personnel stood by. The White River Swiftwater Rescue Team (part of Bethel Fire Department) monitored one troublesome spot, while swiftwater experts from Stowe Mountain Rescue provided protection at another. Safety kayakers filled in the gaps, assisting those who crashed get themselves and their gear to shore. Massachusetts kayak racer Jeff Parker set a high mark for all with a new course record of 32:33 from the Route 100 bridge near Ted Green Ford to the Gaysville Bridge. Racers, volunteers, and spectators enjoyed vittles by ‘Texas Deb’ Matthews, Leslie Straus, and Carol Erickson-Tener, and winners chose prizes from Ridgeline’s local and regional partners and paddlesports industry donors. Volume 3 of the Peavine Whitewater Race is slated for Saturday May 4 2024.
Racers need to have experience paddling class II and class III whitewater to safely participate at seasonal water levels (below 3000 cfs). Please use good judgment if the race coincides with a high water event as some of the rapids do become more difficult at high flows.
We need volunteers too! Setup, sign-in, timing, photography, safety boaters and shore safety…if you don’t want to race but would still like to be involved, we could really use the help!! Please send an email to mikemcdonnell.watershed@gmail.com to be put on the volunteer list.
Our goals are to grow and strengthen the paddling community through inclusive competition, and to highlight the tremendous resource that the White River is to paddlers of all kinds.