2026 aca north american whitewater open Canoe slalom championships
saturday, june 27th - monday, june 29th
practice water available beginning wednesday, june 24th
cost: $90 for 2 classes | $10 each additional class
Ready for some high-energy camaraderie? Join paddlers from all over North America at the Wausau Whitewater Park as they test their skills at the ACA North American Open Canoe Slalom Championships. We believe the best way to grow is through friendly competition — where the focus is on the challenge of the course and the laughs between points. Come for the thrill, stay for the people, and discover how much fun a little friendly rivalry can be!
Not competing? No problem! Spectators are very welcome and plenty of volunteers are needed during the event and practice period. If you would like to help with on-water or off-water activities, please email bheik@icloud.com.
Whitewater open canoes used for slalom racing are based on traditional canoe designs and are propelled with single bladed paddles by a paddler that kneels for maximum stability and control. A slalom course is set for the competition using hanging vertical poles for gates and paddlers attempt to negotiate the course in numerical order without touching any poles, or missing any gates, in the fastest time possible. There are time penalties for touching or missing gates. There are two categories of canoes used in Whitewater Open Canoe Slalom competitions: Recreational and Racing.
Slalom racing encourages paddlers to learn to control their boat on tight and technical rivers and the 2026 Nationals will be held on approximately 300 yards of the Wausau Whitewater Course utilizing class II-III features and moves.
Beginner or expert, young or old, paddlers of all experience levels are encouraged and welcome to compete.
Registration
Registration will be available online before the event and in-person during the event (prior to day of race).
Registration Opening Soon
Waiver requirements must be completed prior to entering the course.
Basic registration fee, includes 2 classes, event t-shirt, practice water time and banquet meal, $90
Each additional class, $10
ACA event fee for non-ACA members, $10
Maximum 3 races each day (possible exception for racers with single cadet entries) / Maximum 7 races total
Additional event t-shirts can be purchased on-site while supplies last.
Read the ACA Open Canoe Slalom Rules before deciding on class selection. Class definitions and boat qualifications will be aligned with current ACA specifications.
Registrants have access to the course Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for practice. Practice water availability is 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, though times may vary slightly. Signed waivers are required prior to entering the course.
course Safety
Participants are responsible for their own on-water safety during practice periods. On-water and shore safety crews will be available during race days only. To assist with on-water or off-water safety, please email bheik@icloud.com.
lodging
Free camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis on property adjacent to Wausau Whitewater Park. Additionally, numerous camping opportunities and lodging choices exit within a very short distance of the course. View more information about Wausau Whitewater park amenities here or visit the Wausau Visitors Bureau here.
preliminary class list
Please note that this is a preliminary list and is subject to change. We will endeavor to address specific concerns and provide clear, timely communication to participants regarding changes through the website before the event or through public postings at the event.
The estimated start time for races is 9:00 AM.
Saturday Combined
The slalom combined classes are the slalom portion of the slalom-downriver/boater-cross combined classes. You must enter one (only one) of these classes if you're planning to do the downriver/boater-cross. The racers' slalom penalties and downriver/boater-cross time will be combined together to determine the winners.
OC-1 Combined Open REC
OC-1 Combined Open RACE
OC-1 Combined Women RACE
OC-1 Combined Women REC
OC-2 Combined Mixed RACE
OC-2 Combined Mixed REC
OC-2 Combined Open RACE
OC-2 Combined Open REC
OC-2 Combined Women RACE
OC-2 Combined Women REC
Saturday Slalom
OC-1 Open RACE
OC-1 Masters’ Women REC
OC-1 Citizen Open
OC-1 15-ft Masters’ RACE
OC-2 Mixed RACE
OC-1 Women REC
OC-2 Masters’ REC
Sunday Slalom
OC-1 Open REC
OC-1 13-ft Women RACE
OC-1 Citizen Women
OC-1 Masters’ Women RACE
OC-1 Masters REC
OC-1 13-ft Open RACE
OC-2 15-ft Open RACE
OC-2 Mixed REC
OC-2 Open RACE
OC-2 Citizen Open
OC-2 Citizen Mixed
OC-2 Junior RACE
OC-2 Youth/Senior RACE
OC-1 13-ft Masters’ RACE
OC-1 15-ft Open RACE
Monday Slalom
OC-1 Masters’ RACE
OC-1 Women RACE
OC-1 Open X
OC-1 Junior RACE
OC-2 Masters’ RACE
OC-2 Women RACE
OC-2 15-ft Mixed RACE
OC-2 Open REC
OC-2 Women REC
Contact Race Chairperson, Brian Heikenen, at bheik@icloud.com with any other event related questions.
