Pacifico Kayak Freestyle

THE WHITEWATER RODEO

Due to low water flows this year, the Pacifico Kayak Freestyle is moving to Glenwood Springs for 2026. New venue, same world-class competition.

UPDATED May 2026: A GoPro Mountain Games classic, the premier playboaters from around the world will now converge at the Whitewater Activity Area Wave in Glenwood Springs for a kayak showdown. This iconic feature on the Colorado River sets the stage for unfathomable tricks and a rowdy crowd, as competitors throw down in a new venue with the same high-energy atmosphere.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 – SATURDAY, JUNE 6

IMPORTANT:

Registration for this event closes Wednesday, June 3 at 6:00 PM.
MANDATORY – CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY: ALL river gear must be cleaned of plants, mud, and debris; drained of all standing water; and fully dried prior to participation in the Pacifico Kayak Freestyle competition. Compliance is required before competing. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have a mobile cleaning unit onsite to assist. These steps, along with proper watercraft inspection, help protect our waterways from aquatic invasive species. Learn more at cleanboater.org
River conditions will be continually monitored, and these events are subject to change as the event draws closer. Download the Mountain Games app and turn on notifications to receive the latest updates.

Want to be in the know? Join our email list and download the app to get the latest Mountain Games news, updates, and insider info right at your fingertips.

The official beer partner of the GoPro Mountain Games.

Event Overview

FRIDAY, june 5 – saturday, june 6

Each kayaker has a timed run to throw their best cartwheels, loops, tricky-wu’s, phonics monkeys, space godzillas and more in an attempt to impress the judges for the highest combined score. Each competitor will have 1 minute to use their skills and athleticism in the park to try and score the most points possible.

Times

Friday, June 5

QUALIFIERS
11:00 AM*

SEMI- FINALS
3:00 PM*

saturday, June 6

FINALS
4:00 PM*

*Times subject to change based on the final number of competitors.

Rules

CATEGORIES:

Open – Men
Open – Women
Youth – Boys (12-17)
Youth – Girls (12-17)
Nonbinary

*Minimum age to compete is 12 years old based on the athlete’s age on event day, June 4, 2026.

EQUIPMENT:

Athletes must be equipped with the appropriate boat, PFD and impact-ready helmet sufficient for shallow/rocky continuous whitewater conditions.
Composite boats, prototypes, C-1’s and hand paddlers welcome.
Athletes must wear competitor bibs outside their PFDs at all times.
- Bibs will be collected at the end of the competition.

FORMAT & RULES:

Competition bibs will be distributed at the onsite athlete check-in at the wave in Glenwood Springs at the start of the competition.
Athletes must have a solid roll to compete.
Start order will be chosen at random.
The competition will be scored by three judges using the USA Freestyle scoring system (like ICF with more relaxed definitions for a wider range of skills). Each trick is assigned a difficulty point value and can only be scored one way in each direction. The tricks scored during the athlete’s ride will be added up to form the athlete ride score. The three judges’ scores will be averaged for one single ride score. 
Rules are subject to change, if necessary.
Athletes will be placed in heats of up to five 5 kayakers.
Only the paddlers in the competing heat are allowed in the water during each heat due to limited eddy space.
Paddlers who wish to perform an ”entry move” may start from an upstream eddy within sight of the judges’ platform, so long as the paddler can hear the order and see the ”thumbs up.”
Athletes will have one 1 minute to perform their routine in front of the judges. The clock from the athlete’s run will begin when the athlete enters the feature.
In the qualifying rounds, each athlete will get two rides. The scores from both rides will be added together to determine the athlete’s final score. The top 10 men and women (provided there are 12 or more) will advance to the Semi-Finals.
In the Semi-Final rounds, athletes will be judged on two rides, but only one ride will count. Five men and women will advance to the Finals.
In the Finals, athletes will be given three rides and count only one. The top three scores will be announced before the athletes take their third ride and after each third ride of the Finals to ensure every athlete knows the score it will take to podium.
All athletes should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.
Event organizers and whitewater rescue teams are not responsible for equipment rescue and/or equipment removal from the GoPro Mountain Games whitewater courses should athletes lose their equipment during practice or competition.
Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.

location:

The wave is at the Whitewater Activity Area in Glenwood Springs. Athletes should note that Glenwood Springs is approximately 45-60 minutes west of Vail.

Parking is limited near the wave. Free, designated GoPro Mountain Games parking for athletes and spectators is available at the Glenwood Springs Mall, approximately three blocks away. Parking passes are required and can be picked up onsite the day of competition.

*River conditions will be continually monitored, and these events are subject to change as the event draws closer. Download the Mountain Games app and turn on notifications to receive the latest updates.