Race the River: Downtown Riverwalk 2026

Race the River: Downtown Riverwalk is a Friday paddling race on San Antonio’s downtown River Walk. Racers navigate a course visible to spectators along the riverfront. This event is one stop in a four-race paddling series organized by the River Authority. Solo and tandem entries are accepted, with online registration available. Race-day details are emailed before the start. The field is divided into Pro and Amateur categories, ensuring experienced River Authority or TCKRA racers do not compete directly against newer paddlers. Spectators can follow racers from Riverwalk viewing locations or use the RaceJoy app for live tracking. A free appetizer is available at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. by mentioning Race the River. Entry fees support the San Antonio River Foundation. Racers can select custom boat numbers during registration, and all boats must display visible numbers on both sides of the bow.