Get ready for the heart-pounding excitement of the third edition of the Chirripó Steep Creek Race, happening January 11th, 2025! After a thrilling race in 2024, where Diego Solano claimed victory, we’re gearing up for an even bigger and more competitive event this year.
Join us for an adrenaline-charged extreme kayak race on the Chirripó Pacífico River, known for its challenging class IV & V boulder garden style rapids, against the stunning backdrop of Costa Rica’s tallest mountain, Cerro Chirripó.
With the highly competitive local extreme kayaking community and the expectation of attracting more international competitors in 2025 the next Chirripó Steep Creek Race will be the most memorable one yet!
Canaán is nestled 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains near Costa Rica’s tallest peak, Cerro Chirripó, and home to the impressive Chirripó Pacífico river. With its warm people, rich heritage, and enchanting natural landscape, Canaán offers a unique experience for spectators and competitors alike. Expect the small town to be buzzing with kayaking, visitors, locals and good vibes for the whole weekend.
The Chirripo Steep Creek Race coincides with Canaán’s “Fiesta Patronales,” enhancing the town’s warm and festive atmosphere. For our international visitors, this is a golden opportunity to immerse yourself in a culture celebrated for its hospitality while enjoying this unbeatable paddling experience on the river, hiking in the mountains, the race and all of its surprises! Canaan also boasts a vibrant community of artisans, including Quesos de Canaan, a biodynamic farm with a focus on artisanal cheese production. Additionally, you’ll find a delightful Chocolatier Shop, Bakery, and the inviting Batsú gastropub, among others. Local coffee producers contribute to the town’s diverse offerings, and don’t miss the awe-inspiring Casa Alegría, a seven-frequency butterfly dome sanctuary.
This year we are very excited to continue as part of the AWP (Association Whitewater Professionals) 2024 ranking races! This is a great opportunity for all the competitors to rank for the World Extreme Kayaking Champioship. We will be following the AWP race guidelines and kayak rules.
Race Format
Preliminary Round: Each competitor gets two chances to achieve their fastest time. Half of the competitors advance to the Semifinal round.
Semifinal: The semi-final round increases in difficulty. Each competitor will have one opportunity. The fastest competitors move on to the final round.
Final Round: The final round will be same course as semifinal. Each competitor has one opportunity, and the fastest time wins.
