“The right people, the right energy, the right location.”
-Brent Austin, Bowlines 1999
– 2018: A Return to Our Roots –
Join us in a celebration of the paddling culture, on and off the river, at the 23rd annual Russell Fork Rendezvous.
Meet up with old friends and make new ones as you paddle the Russell Fork River through some of the most beautiful Autumn scenery the Southeast has to offer.
Don’t miss the annual “Lord of the Forks” race on Saturday.
Camp at Kiwanis Park, in welcoming Haysi, VA with live music, drums, fire circles, food and dancing. All proceeds benefit American Whitewater.
– 2018 Festival Details –
Arrival
Kiwanis Park will be open for camping Thursday, Oct 25th through Sunday evening, Oct 28th.
Please purchase a wrist band when you arrive. Wristbands are $20 per person and will allow camping and re-entry all weekend, at any time.
Registration will begin at 6pm on Friday. You must register and pay the entry fee to enter the grounds, whether you are camping or not.
We are not responsible for lost or stolen items, so please secure your belongings upon arrival.
Camping
With the move to Kiwanis Park, there is more space for camping than in previous years. There will be a family camping area, and if you are a light sleeper or go to bed early, we strongly recommend you camp there.
The park has restrooms available, but no showers at this time. Leashed dogs are welcome, provided that they are not aggressive.
There is additional camping in Haysi, as well as a few miles away at the Breaks Interstate park. We are not affiliated with these camping areas so all reservations and questions should be directed to them.
Atmosphere
Rendezvous is a celebration of paddling culture. You should expect a relaxed atmosphere with music, drums, dancing, fires, hoops, and blatant exaggerations of exploits on the river.
While there will not be a costume contest this year, it’s a great time to break in your Halloween costume.
Also, and this can’t be said enough, it’s a party. Expect loud music and talking until the wee hours of the morning and pick your campsite accordingly. Earplugs are never a bad idea.
Paddling
The Russell Fork River offers something for boaters of any skill level. Novices or anyone looking for a fun float can put on right at Carson Island and take out in Elkhorn City. Intermediate boaters can hone their skills on the upper or lower sections. Advanced boaters may choose to take on the gorge, or even participate in the Lord of the Forks race on Saturday (requires expert skill and knowledge of the run).
The upper and lower sections can also be rafted or shredded.
Food & Drink
Rendezvous is a strictly BYOB event, and all drinks must be kept in cups.
During the festival, there will be food vendors on site as well as several local options including a market just a short drive away in the town of Haysi.
As is the custom with the festival, we make every effort to support the communities that are supporting us so we ask that, whenever possible, you make your purchases either within the fairgrounds or directly from businesses within the boater friendly town of Haysi.
Other Stuff
There’s plenty to do at Rendezvous and in Haysi! Aside from the many events during the festival and the live music Thursday through Saturday night, Haysi offers miles of hiking and dirtbike trails. World class kayaking is available on the Russell Fork River with scheduled releases all weekend, there are sections of the river perfect for just about any skill level.
If you aren’t quite ready to take on the Annual class 5 Lord of the Fork race on Saturday afternoon, buddy up and hike into the gorge to watch some of the best kayakers in the World come through El Horrendo. Just wear sturdy shoes, take a bottle of water, a flashlight, and watch out for trains.
-Live Music-
