This spring, one of the biggest and boldest whitewater celebrations in the country is hitting a milestone. The 50th Annual Wild Water Derby is set to make waves April 26 on the Canandaigua Outlet in Shortsville, New York—and this year’s golden anniversary promises more action, energy, and entertainment than ever before.
Ranked by the American Canoe Association as one of the top five paddling events in the nation, the Derby draws more than 200 paddlers and over 4,000 spectators annually to its Class II-III rapids and festival atmosphere. For just $30 per paddler, racers can run the 3.1-mile course as many times as they want, supported by swift water rescue teams stationed the entire length of the whitewater section.
Each boat is RFID timed, with trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. But it’s far more than a race—it’s a full-blown community event. The Derby launches with a DJ at the put-in and rapids, and ends with a live band rocking out on “Beer Island.” Think of it as a downriver party with a side of adrenaline.
On shore, expect food trucks, mocktails, chainsaw carving demos, and more than 30 vendors turning the banks into a paddler’s paradise. Spectators get in free, and it’s just a mile off the NYS Thruway at the Manchester Exit, making it easy to drop in, soak it up, and cheer on the action.
Don’t miss this half-century celebration of stoke, splash, and small-town river culture. More info is flowing on Facebook and through the Shortsville Chamber of Commerce.