Love whitewater paddling? Here’s 3 reasons the Alabama Cup Races are epic + how to go

Sponsored

Ready to gear up and get out in nature? We have just the thing! In March and April, we urge you to head just 40 miles north of Birmingham to Blount County for the Alabama Cup Races, a longstanding annual tradition in the state and all of the whitewater kayaking world.

Last year’s events attracted record attendance, and more newcomers are certainly welcome.

Read on for more top reasons to go + essential info to know.

1. It’s an Alabama tradition

Did you even know the longest-running slalom kayaking race has been happening so close by for 45 years? What began as the Mulberry Fork Canoe & Kayak Races in 1981 eventually grew to two weekends of racing and became the Alabama Cup Races in 1992.

Since then, the series has drawn hundreds of boaters, paddleboarders and funlovers from throughout the country to the Mulberry and Locust forks of the Black Warrior River for two spring weekends.

This year’s dates:

📆 Mulberry Fork Canoe and Kayak Races: March 7-8
📆 Locust Fork Whitewater Classic: April 11-12

2. All skill levels welcome

While the races often are a proving ground for young paddlers on their way to bigger competition (two-time Olympian and bronze medalist Evy Leibfarth has raced here!), it’s a highly accessible event for all skill levels and mostly a grassroots competition for bragging rights, according to Alabama Cup Racing Association President Tony Diliberto.

The competition classes include championship, cruising and novice. The race courses are set on Class II/III rapids and consist of about 25 gates along about 100 yards. Race types include slalom, downriver and Boater Cross.

Last year was paddler Annie Anderson’s second race and her first time doing slalom:

“As soon as I got there, I saw so many new and also familiar faces, and I became less nervous! I immediately met Tony and Dana (the wonderful people who help put this event together). They treated me like family.”
_{Paddler Annie Anderson}

And then for folks with zero paddling skills (🙋‍♀️) but plenty of curiosity, support and cheer, there’s the spectator class.

3. ‘It’s a party with friends, but you also get to kayak!’

That quote came from Anderson, who loved the races’ sense of community on and off the water over the weekends, which both follow the same general schedule:

• Friday
  • Early arrivals + campers can set up ($10 per person per night, includes $5 daily event fee)
    • Mulberry Races directions
    • Locust Races directions
  • Taco soup or chili dinner ($5) + social time
    • Jam band One-Eyed Mary will play Mulberry
• Saturday
  • Racers’ meeting at 8AM + races all day
  • Dinner + awards ($10 for meals)
    • Mulberry: whole-hog BBQ
    • Locust: low-country boil
  • Raffle
    • Includes the first-ever custom Alabama Cup Empty Canoe – Ocoee
• Sunday:
  • Racers’ meeting at 8AM + races into the afternoon

👉 See the ACR website for complete information.

More to see + do

Last year’s races were also a first for Blount County Director of Tourism Leslie Clines, who was then new to her role. She shared how the experience reinforced what everyone loves about the county.

“It shows up big when it comes to hosting, supporting outdoor recreation and creating memorable experiences. It’s the kind of event that makes you want to stay a little longer and come back again.”
_{Leslie Clines, Blount County Director of Tourism}

Clines urges visitors to take it all in while you’re there: make time for a trail hike, see the county’s three covered bridges, Mardis Mill Waterfall and eat like a local.

👉 Learn more about all there is to see and do in Blount County on the new tourism website!

Sponsored by: