Let's Boat!!!

The Schedule

Here's the lowdown on the boating

BoatSmith 2026 – Tentative Schedule

For more detail check out our Newsletter


Thursday – February 12, 2026

  • Patrick Creek Campground opens at 3:00 PM for free event camping

  • Evening meet & greet around the campground (informal)

  • Lodge open for drinks

Friday – February 13, 2026

  • Informal boating on the Smith (Get out on the river!)

  • 9 AM - 5 PM  -  BoatSmith Booth Registration / check-in opens at Patrick Creek Lodge

  • 7 PM - Friday Night FilmFest + social gathering at Patrick Creek Lodge

Saturday – February 14, 2026

  • 6:45 AM - 7:30 AM  -  We release the "Time's Up" Tyrants to register those dirtbag procrastinators

  • (All Day)  Downriver Whitewater Races

    • Final course selection and start time will depend on river conditions

  • Workshops, clinics, or vendor demos 

  • 7 PM  -  Evening Awards Party + Raffle + Music - 7 PM - 10ish PM (Patrick Creek Lodge)

  • 10:30 PM  -  Late-night Afterparty: We’re aiming to keep lodge activity respectful for guests, with the afterparty near the campground/ruins area starting ~10:30 PM.

Sunday – February 15, 2026

  • Mass Float
    Celebrate community, conservation, and river culture with a group float.

  • Sprint Races (morning) (Panther Flat Campground)

  • Head-to-Head Elimination Races (late morning - afternoon) (Panther Flat Campground)

  • Wind-down gathering at Patrick Creek Lodge and Campground

Monday – February 16, 2026 (Presidents Day – Optional)

  • Bonus boating day for those staying an extra day  (Jewel of the Smith)

  • Campground closes (standard checkout applies)

On-site logistics (good to know)

  • The lodge plans to use drink tickets to speed up lines and reduce individual card transactions.
  • Firewood and Ice will be available for campers (sold by Patrick Creek Lodge).

  • We’ll have Starlink onsite to support electronic payments where available.

  • Raffle tickets are cash only — look for the U19 Women’s Team “Human ATM”



Safety Team Led by:
Nature Nicole Whitewater
naturenicolewhitewater@gmail.com
(971)235-3693
www.naturenicolewhitewater.com


Race Possibilities

With the Smith being an undammed and dynamic river, we picked 7 possible race locations.  The actual locations (one or two) will be determined on February 12th, and will be determined based on predicted flows, predicted conditions, and time.  We will do our best to pick a class 2/3 section and a class 4 section.  Of course being a natural river our pick will not necessarily mean hazards do not exist.  It will be up to each boater to determine their own skill level, and have the knowledge to safely navigate the waterway on their own.  Many hazards are always possible on any section of river.  We will have waivers to sign for each race stating that you have run the section you choose to race before, are competent at navigating it, and are also competent in whitewater in the class you are racing.
All of the sections we have chosen are written about in many guidebooks, so we have left the specific details out.
Here are the possible locations:
1.  South Fork Smith (Sand Camp to Craigs Beach)
2.  South Fork Smith Gorge (Craigs Beach to Slant Bridge)
3.  Middle Fork Smith (Patrick Creek Campground to Panther Flat Campground)
4.  Middle Fork Smith (Panther Flat Campground to Margies)
5.  Middle Fork Smith (Margies to Middle Fork Gorge)
6.  Middle Fork Smith (Middle Fork Gorge to Forks Boat Ramp)
7.  North Fork Smith (Major Moores to the confluence of the North and Middle Forks)
All participants in any event are required to attend the boater safety meeting designated at the specific time for each section!

Boat Types for the Event:
Hardshell Kayak (long and short boats)
Inflatable Kayak
Whitewater Canoe
Packraft
Sweep Boat!!!
Raft R-1
Raft R-2
Raft R-4
Raft Oar
Cataraft
Creature Craft
Stand Up Paddle Board


Safety:
We are looking for qualified and willing volunteers to provide safety for participants on both sections.  Please contact us or sign up if you are interested.  Volunteering will also get you free admission to the event, not to mention the accrued river karma!
As a participant on the river we expect every participant to help (to the best of their ability) any other participant in trouble.  This should go with out saying, but any boater who does not attempt to help a fellow boater in need will not be allowed at the event.  Let's keep it clean, let's keep it safe!

Online Race Registration OPEN

Disclaimer:
All river rapids are serious, and consequential.  Serious injury and/or death are real consequences on the Smith River, or any other river.  BoatSmith is committed to running a safe and fun event.  If you have not run a certain section before, and/or do not have the experience/skill to do so, please refrain from the event.
This use is authorized by a special use permit from the Smith River National Recreation Area on the Six Rivers National Forest. This event operates on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Be Safe, Come Home!


 

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