Tahoe Paddle Racing Series

Set on the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Paddle Racing Series brings together paddlers of all levels to train, compete, and connect. Three distinct events offer distance, conditions, and challenges. Additionally, you can choose your path, build your experience, test your limits, or race at your highest level.

The Lake Crossing is presented by Tahoe Waterman. Tahoe Waterman supports a paddling community built around a shared passion for paddle sports, health, and adventure. It’s a group that supports one another, celebrates the journey, and values the stories and experiences.

Tahoe Paddle Jam | August 1, 2026

The Paddle Jam is a beachside event set on the shores of North Lake Tahoe. This unique format challenges paddlers in 3-mile heats with time cut-offs—advance to 6 or 9 miles based on your pace and performance.

Designed for all levels, the event lets every paddler race their own distance, making it both competitive and inclusive. Off the water, enjoy a vibrant beach atmosphere with music, community, and classic Waterman experiences.

Tahoe Down Wind | August 28-29, 2026

The Lake Tahoe Downwind Championship is a premier alpine paddling event built around a thrilling 9-mile (15 km) downwind run along Tahoe’s West Shore—designed to harness powerful afternoon winds, long fetch, and fast-moving open-water energy. Paddlers glide across crystal-clear waters shaped by Sierra weather patterns and canyon-driven winds.

The downwind race will run on Friday afternoon or Saturday, depending on the best wind window, to ensure optimal conditions. Whether it’s firing or glassy, this is a bucket-list paddle on one of the iconic Tahoe Downwind run.

Complementing the main event, a 3-mile (5 km) short course race takes place Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, regardless of the downwind competition day, for SUP, prone paddleboards, and adaptive outrigger canoes (OC1, OC2), offering a high-energy race experience in more protected conditions.

Tahoe Cup | September 18-20, 2026

This is a legendary bucket list race. A 22-mile (35km) point-to-point open-water crossing of Lake Tahoe—cold, deep, and mentally demanding. You’ll launch into the “Alpine Caribbean,” surrounded by towering mountainous peaks, and commit to a line across one of the most iconic bodies of water in the world. It’s a true bucket-list effort, not about speed, more about resilience, execution, and finishing what you start.