The Columbus Cup freestyle kayak contest ran April 10-12, 2026, on the Chattahoochee in Uptown. 2027 dates are not out yet; here is what to know.
Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Details come from Uptown Columbus, the organizer.
The Columbus Cup is Uptown Columbus’ spring freestyle kayaking contest on the Chattahoochee River whitewater. The 2026 event ran April 10-12. The 2027 dates have not been announced; Uptown Columbus lists the Cup on its signature events page, and this page will carry the new dates as soon as they are posted. Uptown Columbus: 706-596-0111.
The short version
- 2026: Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12
- 2027: dates not yet announced
- Where: the Chattahoochee River whitewater in Uptown Columbus
- Organizer: Uptown Columbus, 706-596-0111, info@uptowncolumbusga.com
What it is
Uptown Columbus bills the Columbus Cup as the premier U.S. freestyle kayaking event. Top paddlers throw tricks on a standing wave in the river, and the riverfront takes on a festival atmosphere for athletes, outdoor fans and residents.
Uptown Columbus says the Cup carries the largest purse in North American freestyle competition. It is the flagship event and awards venue of the Paddle South Freestyle Tour, a regional series that links freestyle events and whitewater venues across the Southeast, with athletes earning points at each stop.
The 2026 winners
From the results Uptown Columbus posted:
| Class | First place |
|---|---|
| Senior Men | Dane Jackson |
| Senior Women | Emily Jackson |
| Intermediate Men | Caleb Jones |
| Intermediate Women | Rachel Scheffe |
| Masters Men | Clay Wright |
| Masters Women | Kathryn McCauley |
| Junior Men | Owen Forster |
| Junior Women | Makinley Kate Hargrove |
| Cadet Men | Reggie McCauley |
| Cadet Women | Parker Troutman |
The full podium for each class is on the Columbus Cup page.
The river
The Cup is held on the whitewater course that runs through Uptown between Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama. Uptown Columbus’ RushSouth Whitewater Park page describes it this way:
- The flow is dam-controlled: low flow in the morning, high flow in the afternoon.
- At high flow, up to 13,000 cubic feet per second runs through Class III to V rapids.
- Uptown Columbus calls them the biggest rapids east of the Mississippi.
The 2026 sponsors included Georgia Power, RushSouth, Whitewater Express and the Columbus Sports Council.
Watching, parking and getting there
- Uptown Columbus had not published spectator times, admission or viewing areas for 2027 when this page was checked.
- The Chattahoochee RiverWalk runs along the river through Uptown.
- Uptown Columbus lists free parking decks on its parking page, among them the Front Avenue Deck at 1028 Front Ave. and Riverfront Place at 1300 Front Ave. (levels P3 to P5). On-street parking has a two-hour limit.
What this means for you
April in Uptown is busy: in 2026 the Cup fell in the same weeks as Uptown’s spring concert series and Market Days on Broadway. Check back in early spring for 2027 dates, and see our Uptown Columbus guide and parks and trails guide for the rest of the riverfront.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Columbus Cup?
The 2026 Columbus Cup ran April 10-12. Uptown Columbus had not announced 2027 dates when this page was checked in October 2026.
What is the Columbus Cup?
A freestyle kayaking competition on the Chattahoochee River whitewater in Uptown Columbus, run by Uptown Columbus. Paddlers compete by throwing tricks on a standing wave.
Who won the 2026 Columbus Cup?
Dane Jackson won Senior Men and Emily Jackson won Senior Women, according to the results Uptown Columbus posted.
Who organizes the Columbus Cup?
Uptown Columbus, the downtown business improvement district, at 706-596-0111 or info@uptowncolumbusga.com.
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