One of the Northeast’s most popular creek races is set to kick off Vermont’s whitewater season in early April.
The New Haven Ledges Race is scheduled to take place along the New Haven River in Bristol, Vermont on April 4 (with a backup date of April 11).
Started in 2009 as an event for locals battling for bragging rights, the race now attracts paddlers from throughout the Northeast and even Quebec and southern Ontario.
The course has paddlers charge through the heart of the New Haven River’s classic Ledges section, finishing with a dramatic plunge over Toaster Falls.
The race has varied in format, course length, and water levels over the years, but organizers say one constant has been it is always a day of excellent whitewater with a great community well attended by spectators from across the region.
The 2026 version of the race will continue the format of individual timed heats, allowing each racer two chances to lay down their best lap. Racers will be split into two groups, with one half of the field launching at one-minute intervals, while the other half of the field sets safety. Once the first half has completed, racers switch spots, with the second half of the field racing while the first half sets safety. After a lunch break, the process is repeated, allowing competitors a second chance at the course.
After the laps are completed, paddlers will gather for announcing of results, prizes, raffle, and a post-race hang. Paddlers can expect to join in on some party-laps, where everybody—competitors and casual boaters alike—join in for a few group runs of the full stretch of the run.
The rapids featured along the New Haven Ledges Race course follow this order:
- The Ledges: The namesake rapid of this run, the ledges are several offset slides with multiple line options depending on the level.
- Oh By The Way: This tricky rapid can make or break a run. Ending up in the Schott Slot can crush dreams of a podium finish.
- Rooster Tail: The end is near, but this long boulder rapid that ends in a slide with a big rooster tail and a potentially sticky hole at the bottom can derail a paddler’s chances if they aren’t online and carrying speed at the correct angle.
- Toaster: The grand finale. A 15-foot plunge into a nice pool. Sounds easy enough, but this can be a common spot where champions are separated from the rest. The key is to keep it upright and carrying speed, all while avoiding getting pushed left into the shelf below after landing.
Learn more about Vermont’s New Haven Ledges Race.
