2026 Spring World Rankings Series

Canoe Slalom & Kayak Cross
Race One | March 13-15th, 2026
Montgomery, Alabama

Welcome to Montgomery Whitewater!

Located in the heart of Alabama’s capital city, Montgomery Whitewater is a multi-award-winning outdoor destination recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the World’s Greatest Places. Montgomery Whitewater’s state-of-the-art channel system supports international competition while also creating pathways for new paddlers, broadening access, and fostering greater diversity within the sport.

The park combines Olympic-standard competition facilities with year-round opportunities for recreation and training, both on and off the water. On land, guests can explore trails, tackle the aerial ropes course, climb the bouldering wall, dine at our on-site restaurant, and shop at our Outfitter store. Our mix of competition-ready facilities and recreational amenities ensures that athletes, coaches, and their families can enjoy their time both on and off the water.

We look forward to welcoming you all to Montgomery Whitewater!

Sincerely,
Jason Wilson
Executive Director
Montgomery Whitewater

American Canoe Association

Jed Hinkley, National Slalom Director
jhinkley@americancanoe.org
+1 (435) 640-6950

Rafel Smolen, International Liaison
rsmolen@americancanoe.org
+1 (828) 301-4805

Montgomery Whitewater

Megan McKenzie, Organizing Committee
megan@montgomerywhitewater.com
+1 (334) 221-0408

Eric Lokken, Technical Organizer
ericlokken1@gmail.com
+1 (970) 749-2257

Location & Accessibility

The venue is strategically located at the I-65/I-85 interchange, making it easy to access by car or air:

Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM): 10 minutes from the venue
Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM): ~1.5 hours by car
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): ~2.5 hours by car

Montgomery Whitewater is only minutes from downtown Montgomery, with restaurants, accommodations, and cultural landmarks nearby.

To make the most of your stay, we encourage all participants to visit the Experience Montgomery website, the city’s official tourism bureau, for information on lodging, dining, and attractions throughout the city.

EXPERIENCE MONTGOMERY

Accommodations

Experience Montgomery has secured several hotel room blocks at discounted rates for competitors and teams.

We strongly encourage participants to book through these partner properties. Staying in the recommended hotels ensures convenient access to the venue, consistent quality, and a comfortable environment.

If you have any questions about accommodations, please email info@montgomerywhitewater.com.

HOTELS

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Accreditation & Training

Accreditation

The standard ICF SDP system will be used for registration and accreditation.
The event will be a Level 3 Ranking Race.
Accreditation fee: $130
The accreditation fee includes 3 days of official training and the competition.

Training

Open Training Dates: March 1st-9th
Open Training Fee: $30 a day for one session or $45 a day for two sessions
Official Training Dates: March 10th-12th

Entry Deadlines

January 30th
Numerical Entry Deadline

February 27th
Nominal Entry Deadline

Events & Categories

Discipline	Category	Gender
Canoe Slalom	Senior	Male / Female
Kayak Cross	Senior	Male / Female

Competition Format

Montgomery Whitewater has been built through the support of community partners who share our vision of creating a world-class adventure destination that strengthens education, builds workforce pathways, enhances public safety, and drives economic growth for Alabama.

More Information is Coming Soon

RACE BULLETIN

Technical Details

Course Specifications

Measurements
• 365 meters long
• 10 meters wide
• 7 meter course elevation drop

Water Quality
• Water in the Montgomery course is sourced from the municipal supply and is chlorinated to meet standards
• Average water temperature is 18 °C

Climate Data

On competition dates, March 13th-15th, the average high temperatures in Montgomery generally fall between 20–22 °C, with mid-to-high teens (°C) also possible.

During March, the average daily high temperatures increase from around 19 °C at the start of the month to about 23 °C by the month’s end, with very few days rising above 28 °C.

Equipment Control

• Equipment Control located just below the finish tent (see schematic) for Slalom.

• Equipment Control will happen at the start ramp for Kayak Cross.

• One ITO will be designated as the Equipment Control official at each location.

Competition Boats: Availability & Type

• Kayak Cross boats can be secured from Montgomery Whitewater.

• Slalom boats can be requested, and there is the possibility of securing, but it will be based on available inventory and cannot be guaranteed.

Visas

• If teams need an invitation letter for a visa, they should request one at least 60 days before the competition, linked here.

• A list of countries that need a visa for entry can be found here.

Parking

Ample, free parking is available on site.

Organization Management

Press & Media Plan

Press will be provided a designated room and will be credentialed based on request.

Accomodations

Hotels are linked here.

Meals

ITO & Volunteers
• Meals to be provided

Teams
• Teams and athletes are responsible for their own meals.
• A designated area will be provided for meals brought into the venue. While outside food and beverages are not normally permitted at Montgomery Whitewater, an exception will be made for athletes participating in this competition.
• There are many grocery stores located within a 10 km radius of the venue. Staybridge offers an in-room kitchenette.
• Find local restaurants here.

Transportation

• The Montgomery Regional Airport is served by Delta and American Airlines.
• The Atlanta Airport (ATL) is a 2.5 hour drive from Montgomery.
• The Birmingham Airport (BHM) is a 1.5 hour drive from Montgomery.
• Car rental options are available at all 3 airports.